- I won’t be able to see what God is doing through me.
- I will feel alone in ministry. No one will have my back.
- I will be overworked.
- I will feel like I don’t work hard enough or good enough or don’t know how to design a ministry that reaches enough students.
- I will feel guilty about any successes.
- I will be kept from being me to the fullest and being used to the fullest for the Kingdom.
- I will be tired.
- I will resent my family.
- I will begin looking for an outlet to escape feeling bad.
- I won’t be noticed.
Most youth pastors probably make a list of goals at the start of each new ministry year. Some of my previous year’s goals have included but aren’t limited to…
- I will capitalize on middle school boys’ desire to be noticed by middle school girls by providing more extreme opportunities for them to eat things which ought not be eaten.
- I will mask my real age with skinny jeans, a way too tight Louie Giglio inspired T-shirt, and a faux-hawk. Maybe even get a wrist tattoo that says something like “Christ’s Warrior” in a hip foreign language like Chinese or Greek or Spanish.
- I will concoct outrageous events with 1,000 hot wings and a chocolate slip-&-slide (if you can get away with the total inappropriateness of that one…it is a sure way to attract teenage boys to your ministry).
- I will be the coolest adult any teenager has ever met…ever.
- I will lead 10 teenagers to Jesus…at the very first youth group meeting.
This ministry year I instead decided to make a list of all my anxieties and fears. And as I look over these two seemingly different lists, I can’t help but notice the idolatry of my heart equally exposed.
Rebecca Pippert observes in her book Out of the Saltshaker and into the World:
Whatever controls us is our lord. The person who seeks power is controlled by power. The person who seeks acceptance is controlled by the people he or she wants to please. We do not control ourselves. We are controlled by the lord of our life.
At the start of this ministry year, let me encourage you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, expose your worst nightmares regarding your ministry to Jesus. Take them to the cross.
- Jesus will work through me and He will reveal to me how He is working.
- Jesus is my ministry and He has my back.
- Jesus is my rest.
- Jesus is designing a specific ministry through me that is reaching His students.
- Jesus has already succeeded on my behalf.
- Jesus called me uniquely for His Kingdom purposes.
- Jesus is my rest.
- Jesus loves my family more then I do and has given me to them for my sake and theirs.
- Jesus is my rest.
- Jesus chose me.
So glad it’s all about grace.
Zach
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August 10th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Love your words!
August 11th, 2010 at 1:10 am
I think I need that Jesus part tattooed on my wrist. I am constantly forgetting those simple truths.
September 17th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Great words, brother! Please continue to remind us what we keep forgetting!!
November 28th, 2011 at 1:48 am
THIS is some of the email i have been having with my 17 year old nephew..he told me he did not want to follow God so over the last few months we have been talking and this is some of the emails i have sent with your sermon that was on key life. he said he would check it out and well he did…I want to tell you thank you and
thank u so much..and may God bless you
3 NovemberDarrell Sandoval
see you in a few
3 NovemberMichael Thompson
ok
17 NovemberDarrell Sandoval
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/key-life-network/listen/the-addict-the-accuser-the-advocate-zach-van-dyke-210146.html
The Addict, The Accuser & The Advocate (Zach Van Dyke) | Key Life Network with Steve Brown
http://www.oneplace.com
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17 NovemberDarrell Sandoval
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/key-life-network/listen/he-addict-the-accuser-the-advocate-zach-van-dyke-210147.html
he Addict, The Accuser & The Advocate (Zach Van Dyke) | Key Life Network with Steve Brown
http://www.oneplace.com
How dare you ask for forgiveness again?’ Ever feel that way? Click “Share” below to spread this message!
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17 NovemberMichael Thompson
Perfect timing, Ill watch them tommorow. Im super tired.
17 NovemberDarrell Sandoval
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/key-life-network/listen/the-addict-the-accuser-the-advocate-zach-van-dyke-210148.html
The Addict, The Accuser & The Advocate (Zach Van Dyke) | Key Life Network with Steve Brown
http://www.oneplace.com
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17 NovemberDarrell Sandoval
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/key-life-network/listen/the-addict-the-accuser-the-advocate-zach-van-dyke-210149.html
The Addict, The Accuser & The Advocate (Zach Van Dyke) | Key Life Network with Steve Brown
http://www.oneplace.com
I don’t believe I would have said that! Click “Share” below to spread this message!
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17 NovemberMichael Thompson
Perfect timeing as in you sent them exactly when I got on. Had to clarify.
17 NovemberDarrell Sandoval
its in 4 parts but its not really that long so play from the first one I sent through the last…It was so good to see you tonight…it filled my heart with true joy to see you…I love you guys very much..have a good night
18 NovemberMichael Thompson
Thanks for the videos, Ill be sure to watch them today. It was great to see you. Its been so long since I have been there that I was nervous showing up,haha. I love you too, and good morning.
18 NovemberDarrell Sandoval
I know how you feel…its like going back to your old school seeing teachers and friends and being nervous of what they are gonna say….but then after you get there its like you never really left and you see that they are just like you….I will be but around 10:30 -11:00 this mornig I have a bunch of meat and stuff for you guys..see you in a bit..
18 NovemberMichael Thompson
True. I feel like going to church Sunday, but I dont know yet. I can say one thing and its another thing on that day. Alright, Ill see you around 10:30 – 11. Are we feeding the homeless today or some other time?
23 NovemberDarrell Sandoval
hey whats up
23 NovemberMichael Thompson
Oh dang you did send a message,haha, Im sorry, I didn’t see it. Not much about to go to Joshs house until Friday night. Nothing but videos games, How about you?
5 hours agoMichael Thompson
GREAT NEWS OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE!!!!!! I believe God has displayed His grace to me time and time again, over and over, because I believe He has brought me to repentance and restored to me the joy of His salvation. God has certainly showed the beauty of His Son again and what He has done and it is so exciting. Gos is good is an understatement. Thanks you for talking to me and sending the message, its what I needed to hear. I was doing my homework and I was going over in my mind on how much I miss fellowship with God and His word and how I could leave Christ for my sins. And God used that to draw me near. God is awesome and He always does what He promises.”……for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,….” Hebrews 13:5. And a whole bunch more of verses. Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 28th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Hi Darrell.
Jesus is so cool! Thanks for taking the time to share with me about Michael. How cool that Jesus worked the way He did through both of us in Michael’s life! I’ll be encouraged for at least a month by this!
I just prayed for you and Michael with great thankfulness for both of you.