With great regularity… Wednesday (or Sunday) night appears. The current ministry I volunteer with has a Sunday Night meeting - although those “in the know” tell me Wednesday Night is still the most popular meeting night for youth. I am the primary communicator which is fancy for, “I teach the lesson!” for our ministry. So every week I carry around that nagging feeling, the persistent question in the back of my mind, “what am I going to say this week?” I often have to admit that the hour or day after I teach I wonder, was it worth it? Did anyone listen? Does it matter? (It doesn’t last long… cause that nagging question returns, “what am I going to say this week?”)

But, does it matter? Is it worth it? Oh no, it’s Wednesday night, again! One of my early mentors in youth ministry was Mark Senter* and I have never forgotten what he called the first three axioms of Youth Ministry (axiom is a $3 word for “assumptions” or “a starting point that is undertood”). According to Mark the first three axioms are:

1. Youth Ministry begins when an adult finds a comfortable way to enter a student’s world;

2. Youth Ministry continues as long as the student is moving toward spiritual maturity;

3. Youth Ministry ends when either the relationship is severed or spiritual growth ceases.

(disclaimer: the axioms are not direct quotes, Mark is much more careful and nuanced in his language - but I think I captured the spirit of his axioms)

What I love about this definition of Youth Ministry is that it makes every potential meeting between youth and adults who are called to youth ministry a potent and meaningful opportunity. There are no “regular” times. There are no “off nights.” If we have the right understanding of this crazy vocation - then we see that as we serve God by loving, encouraging, challenging, listening, and being present (really present) with students - this encounter, this moment might be the defining moment in a kids life.

What matters is not the most innovative game, or perfect illustration, or a program without a glitch - what matters is:

Am I cognizant that I have the privilege to enter another persons life and take that honor responsibly, gratefully, and faithfully? Am I seeing the opportunity that our God has called us toward and am I entering into this relationship sharing and imparting my life with grace, authenticity and love? Am I helping a team of adult volunteers see through their pouring into others that they can have a part in transforming a life (and thus our world)? Am I aware that God may use my faithfulness to radically transform a students life through what I may only percieve as a simple statement, or a common courtesy or a regular Wednesday night?

It’s Wednesday night, again. And it matters. And, yes, it’s worth it.

*I would recommend getting your hands on just about anything Mark has written - he is a great mind to tap in the area of youth ministry… check his titles out here.