I feel that my generation has an amazing chance to reach out and change the world. Our postmodern generation has gone from avoiding “religion” all together to seeking it out and wanting to know more. They’ve seen where the isolationism and hopelessness characteristic of “Generation X” landed them, and don’t want to have it happen again. We need to take hold of that passion, and take our kids from apathetic to involved in and excited about ministry.
1 Timothy 4:12 is really my life verse. Its exhortation to lead while young has been my driving passion. And I believe that if you could light a fire of leadership under our generation of kids, they would be amazing agents of change in society. So many times my generation is portrayed as spaced-out carefree kids, but we’re not. We have as much stress in our lives as some adults I know. Give us something to cling to, and we will.
The important thing is to take these ideas from ifs to action. One thing the book “Be the Change” by Zach Hunter (already reviewed for our Super-Ultra-Amazing-Must-Read Book List!) points out is how often the church says “Wouldn’t it be great if…”, or “If only we could…”. Don’t stop there! It’s lovely to talk about these things, yes, but if you don’t put them into practice now, another generation of kids will not be dealing with the issues in their lives.
Rather than your kids having to tell you what their skills are, go to them and learn what they enjoy. You may be surprised at what your kids can do and how they can help you if you just ask. That’s how I developed to who I am today. I asked Ryan if I could make PowerPoints for our kids choir that he directed at the time. He approved. Over time, he began asking me to do little bits more at a time, until I got to where I am today. Four years ago if you told me if I was going to be the Technology Director for KidzMatter and our church’s children’s ministry, author on a children’s ministry blog, and traveling to conferences all over the country, I would have laughed you into the next century. But passion leads to calling. And my calling is children’s ministry.
nothing is as sad as a person who had ideas and a passion and for God and ministry and then lost it. ideas are amazing, what’s even more amazing is when we transition those into reality. that’s what i love about God. though Him ALL things are possible! evan, seriously consider the idea of writing a book:)
on a side note: when i first began working with teens i had the messed up concept that the teens cared little for the things of God, but i couldn’t have been more wrong! these kids blow me away daily with their passion and their beliefs are rock solid! this generation is spiritually hungry. they are so hungry that many of them are starving before we can feed them. what is so cool about kids is that they have so much more time to serve. by the time they are teens thay have had the ability to be serving God for several years! i am thrilled to know that my now 6 year old desires to serve Jesus and she has ideas that are so exciting. furthermore… she executes her ideas! i love that!
Evan, its been great to watch you grow with Ryan over the years. Hangin’ with Jim Wideman on a blog? That’s pretty sweet! Keep up the great work, God’s got great plans for you! Keep close to Him!