Youth work is the work of planting.
It s dirty work, tilling, weeding, watering, and a lot of waiting. It s the music teacher who listens to all the sour notes hit by untrained hands in the hope that someday those same fingers will perform a symphony. Youth ministry is 80 percent construction work and about 20 percent ribbon cutting. What an amazing treat it was to come together again to remember, to laugh, to sing, to catch up, and to celebrate the faithfulness of God. It was in the course of that very special weekend that I was reminded again of some wonderful assurances about long-term youth ministry promises that have refreshed my vision for the church s ministry to teenagers.