Beyond the "Counselors of Fun": Youth Ministry with Substance.

There is an expectation that Youth Ministry ought to always be fun. The number one complaint you hear from kids who don't want to be part of the ministry is, "It's not fun..." That means pressure is put on the Youth Pastors to make everything fun. The pressure comes from parents, supervisors, and the students. Thus we have been dubbed "The Counselors of Fun."

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Most Youth Ministers did not get into Youth Ministry for their love of dodgeball or with a burning passion to lead a scavenger hunt. Most Youth Ministers got into ministry to help the next generation to understand who Jesus is and how he can impact our everyday lives. Which means there's always a tension between our gospel calling and being "the Counselor of Fun." 

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In this workshop we will explore how "fun" is not the point of youth ministry, yet how we can use "fun" to help our students take the next step of faith. We will find out that at the heart of Youth Ministry is Joy, one of the fruits of The Spirit.  As we discover that the center of Youth Ministry is Joy, we will be able to evaluate your ministry and begin to design opportunities for your students to find joy and look for it wherever they are, even church. 

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So put away the dodgeballs, postpone the scavenger hunt, and let's find our joy in ministry again.