Youth Work Epiphany 4 C The Nearest Mission Field

 

Youth Work Epiphany 4 C The Nearest Mission Field

February 1, 2004

By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell

Last Monday at our weekly staff meeting Fr. Woolley gave us all an assignment. He said, “While

Diana and I are vacationing in beautiful Hawaii, I want each of you to describe, in writing, the

characteristics of the youth minister we should be looking for, and the job we want him or her to

embrace. After a moment of reflective silence, someone had to clarify what Fr. Woolley had just

said; in other words, while you are having fun, you want us to work on this assignment? Fr.

Woolley looked pleased to have such a discerning staff.

When I read verse seventeen of today’s psalm (Psalm 71), it dawned on me that I might

accomplish two assignments with one preparation. Here’s the verse that caught my eye:

Psalm 71:17 – “O God, you have taught me since I was young, and to this day I tell of your

wonderful works.”

When two things meet in space and time like the Rectors assignment and verse 17, I call it Holy

Synchronicity.

I’ve titled this sermon “Our Nearest Mission Field.” Could you guess what mission field I’m

thinking about? It’s the children who are living right here in Walla Walla. The “Friends” program

has identified over 2000 youth living in our town who would be benefited if they could count on

a caring adult friend. Studies have shown that simply having a friend makes a huge positive

difference in a child’s life.

Ex) A failing student at Walla Walla High School (Wa Hi) said this to Doug Barum, “I can do the

math…. but who cares?” So far, about 200 friends have stepped forward.

Verse 17 from Psalm 71 describes my life: “O God, you have taught me since I was young and to

this day I tell of your wonderful words.

I count myself extremely fortunate to have had a church home, and Godly teachers, since I was

young. I’m sure that many of you would say the same. The men and boys’ choir that I sang with

for fourteen years, put me in contact with god’s word, and many, many wonderful, kind, and

loving adults. Our Choir Sunday School teacher, Skipper Getgood, was a terrific story teller. He

drew us in with timely illustrations to make a point. We learned to respect him because he made

us feel important. I remember ice-cream bars provided to us after a long rehearsal on a warm

spring night.

Years later, after Skipper’s death, I was invited to be the Choir Sunday School teacher. I wanted

so much to be like my hero Skipper, but I soon discovered that what worked best was being

myself.

The number one characteristic of a youth minister in my opinion: Someone who trusts God

enough to be themselves.

You quickly discover when working with youth, that if you try to be something that you are not,

it simply doesn’t work. Kids are quick to spot a phony. Simply going through the motions won’t

cut it. Love requires that words and actions deliver the same message.

Ex) Our children complained about the “Sunday School Hug”

The only other characteristic that we should be looking for in a youth minister, in my opinion, is:

a person with steadfast faith.

From my experience; working with young people is like trying to pick up a ball of mercury while

wearing garden gloves. You think you’ve got them, when in fact you don’t have them at all. For

example, I made a last-minute reminder call about our early morning departure for a canoe trip,

only to hear, “I can’t go because I’m in a tennis final…I thought you knew?”

Your faith will be tested. It goes with the territory. Sorry.

We’re looking for someone who will not burn out, or give up, when confronted with the

guarantied failures and frustrations that go with youth ministry. Youth ministers should believe

what God told Jeremiah: “Don’t be afraid, I am with you.”

It should go without saying, but I will say it anyway: being a person of faith requires exposing

yourself to the disciplines of faith: prayer, study, worship, and service. If you don’t believe that

you are one of God’s precious children, it will be impossible to communicate that good news to

others.

We are successful in finding this person, and I know we will be, what do we want them to do?

Believe me when I tell you that there are enough printed youth programs to fill all the

bookshelves in the church. There are people of all denominations that have put together

intelligent, clever, fun, youth focused programs that have been field tested. You really don’t have

to reinvent the wheel. New materials are being published all the time.

But here’s the catch – no matter how wonderful the program may be, it’s meaningless without

the children.

Jesus has called us to be fishers of people. So, what does a fisherman need to know? A fisherman

needs to know where the fish are likely to gather. What the fish are biting on, and how to present

the bate. Now, putting people in the place of fish: Where do the kinds hang out? What are they

looking for? And, how do you tell your story without frightening them away?

They say that a teacher is a friend with a purpose. Our purpose as Christ’s ambassadors is to first

establish a relationship, and then share what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Watch for the opportunity to present itself.

        Ex) This is what we heard from a fifteen-year-old boy on day six (6) of an eight (8) day canoe

                trip while sitting around the campfire: “These are the bleak year.” When asked what he meant,                     he said, “If you are not rich, or a brain, or a jock, you are nothing.”

How would you respond to that young man as an ambassador for Christ without scaring him

away? Being there – in a moment like that – is what is the best thing about working with youth.

When you see with your own eyes the difference a loving perspective can make in a person’s

life.

When you work with children you must be passionate when you communicate the message of

God’s love. Love that is here for them today, and into their tomorrows.

We are looking for someone with steadfast faith, who loves to fish!