Dear Friends,
As we approach the Fall, it's time to gear up for CE! Christian Endeavor
is a world movement that encourages and develops young people AND adults
to be dedicated Christians "For Christ and the Church." Central
Church has been active in Christian Endeavor for over fifty years. Of
course, Dr. Jack Rothenberger remained active in CE up until his last
illness. And many of our adult church leaders, including Dr. Drake and
I, have grown up in Christian Endeavor and benefited from its program.
It's wonderful "basic training" for our children and youth,
and throughout it's long history, has been mostly led by lay people
within the church. Long before there were Youth Ministers, there were
CE Advisors working with young people and their faith development. Since
we are currently without a Youth Coordinator, we are looking to the
adults of the church to "step up to the plate" and give youth
work a try!
Before you automatically say "no way", please prayerfully
consider these words from one of my favorite people, Charlie Popjoy,
President of the Board of Directors of Pennsylvania CE and a youth advisor
for over FORTY years!
"As a youth worker who is getting older, you are probably starting
to ask yourself - is it time to get out of youth ministry? Can I still
relate to teens? Isn't youth ministry for twenty and thirty year olds?
As a person who is getting into his 66th year of life and 40th year
of youth work - all of it as a volunteer - my answer is a resounding
NO!! In many ways, I relate to teens better now than I ever did as a
young man."
The following are some of the important things that I have discovered
over the years:
U LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART. HAVE A DEEP PASSION FOR CHRIST,
HIS WORK, AND HIS WORD.
U LOVE KIDS WITH AN EQUAL PASSION. Believe me, they can tell. You can
truly love them, without loving
all they do.
U BE AN EXAMPLE. Set standards for yourself that are as Christ-like
as humanly possible. Kids can spot a
hypocrite a mile away. One of the first things I did with each youth
group was to give them my telephone
number at work, and invited them to call my bosses and fellow employees
to ask them what kind of person I was
at work.
U NEVER STOP LEARNING. Be informed about youth culture. I read about
youth problems, movie reviews,
teen sexuality, fads, trends and what's on the street.
U REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT THEIR "BUDDY." Even at 25, you are
considered old by some of the kids. As
you age, kids see you in different roles. Some kids need to see you
as a mentor. Some may see you as a parent-
figure. I see myself now, at times, as a grandfather-figure to some
kids. Some kids' best friends are their
grandparents. Remember, kids always need to see you as a friend. Look
forward to how God changes these roles.
U BE TENDERHEARTED AND VULNERABLE. You may be hurt many times: by the
kids, by parents, by the
church. Allow God to heal the hurt, and DO continue to serve.
U DO NOT BE AFRAID TO DISCIPLINE. Be fair and consistent. Kids need
boundaries. And BE AVAILABLE.
Kids need to know you're there for them.
U GIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE. This covers a multitude of things.
It should include allowing them
to lead youth group meetings, and to plan programs and activities. They
should participate in church services,
and local and out of state mission projects and work camps. Expect mistakes,
be patient, but also do not be
afraid to require them to do their best.
Let me sum up with these thoughts: You can't lead without being led
by Christ. You can't love, without being loving. You can't teach, without
showing. You can't expect kids to open up to you if you aren't trustworthy.
My motto, which was given and demonstrated by my first mentor, is this:
"I WOULD RATHER WEAR OUT, THAN RUST OUT."
Wise words from a faithful servant of Jesus Christ! Please prayerfully
consider serving our church through the youth program this Fall!
Rev. Karen Gallagher
