To Go or To Stay

Well, we are wrapping up a 10-year youth ministry, and preparing to move. So, I want to reflect a little on the longevity question--a friend asked, just last week, how do you do that longevity thing? (or a question to that effect). There are lots of answers. This was our third youth ministry, and we came into our stride here. And we were committed to staying! This church had a fairly quick turnaround in the youth ministry spot in the years before us, and the search committee who did our initial interview said, our kids need some stability. If we hire you, will you commit to 5 years. And we said yes. And we did.

That means you respect the traditions and history that come with the church. You listen and learn, before starting new programs. You respect the authority structures over you, even when you disagree with them. You work to create a team that helps you plan and execute the plan (DON'T execute the kids, parents, or elders, in word or deed!). You pray, and spend time with God and with your spouse, you work through the hard times and rejoice in the triumphs. The kids who are seniors in our ministry now were about 7 years old when we came here. They have grown up with us, and we have grown up with them. There is something awesome about longevity.

Some ministers hop from church to church, because they are interested in finding a bigger and better place, or they are risk-takers and crave new challenges, or they just have trouble with authority and can't quite settle into an existing structure.

Even if you "stick it out" for a long period, like we have, there may come a time when it's time to move on. I struggled this summer--is this the right time for us? And God has made it abundantly clear. Yes. He has orchestrated the whole thing--his fingerprints are so evident to us. It a natural transition for our family and our congregation. Is it hard to go, especially after so long? YES. But God will provide for the needs of the folks we leave behind. He's so faithful! And God will provide for our family both in transition, and in the new work.

I have been thrilled to hear the excitement in my husband's voice as he plans for the new work. And yesterday, on a long car ride with her dad, our 13-year old proceeded to outline for her dad the plans she thought he should make to develop student leaders, and a fun Sunday school, and lots of other things, "but we can't start anything new right away, Dad, we have to take it slow and get to know them first." WOW. Who knew she already knew all that? And in spite of her sadness at leaving her friends, who knew she was already planning to act as his junior youth minister!

So, my best advice is this: Plan to keep sticking it out. If God really wants you somewhere else, he'll make the call loud and clear.