To Every Youth Leader on Sunday Night

Okay, so I know this is being released on a Wednesday, but I started formulating this post on Sunday night, and the idea has been in my mind for a lot longer than that.

I have been a “pulpit minister” for about 12 years now, and I am always tired on Sunday nights. It is (usually) a good kind of tired, but it is still a very tired, emotionally spent, kind of feeling.

Prior to being in the pulpit, though, I was a youth minister for almost 10 years. I remember those Sunday nights as well. Even now, as a pulpit guy, I still have been blessed to work closely with young people for all these years, for which I am grateful. So I know the feelings youth leaders have when it’s been one of those Sundays.

Whether you are a paid youth minister, a youth deacon, a parent, or simply a concerned adult, your Sunday nights are often not easy either. And you deserve a reminder that what you are doing is worth it!

Because here is how many of your Sundays have gone…

You have planned that youth devotional for a long time. You know that “youth devos” are a bit old-school, but you know they still have a great place in your program, so you got a lesson together. You made sure someone brought food (that may have been you, as well). You announced it from the pulpit, on social media, and the bulletin, and you even texted a few of the young people, encouraging them to come.

And you had some kids come! But, you also had young people who were at those evening worship services just walk right out and not make the effort to stay for 20 minutes to hear about God. Your heart sank just a little, because you know they could have stayed; they just didn’t. (Some may have even just said, “I might stay”…and then walked straight to their car.)

You have announced that this is the deadline to sign up for the new trip this year. Your group has never been to CYC or EU or a big area youth rally, so you have done all the groundwork and got all the information. The sign-up sheet has been filling for weeks and you are so excited. So you remind the young people and parents that today is the last day to sign up, so the last-minute plans can be made.

When you walk by the sign-up sheet for the last time that night, 2/3 of the young people have scratched their names off. They just decided it wasn’t cool enough, or that they wanted to spend that weekend doing something else. Your heart sank a little more. You no longer need to ask to use the church van that weekend. You’ll be driving your car. Again.

In your Bible school class, you reminded the young people that, after morning services next week, you are going to run for a burger and then go serve at the nursing home for the afternoon. It’s a great opportunity to serve others and show Jesus to them, you remind them. What do you get back? “I’ve got volleyball practice.” “My parents said we were going to go out to eat next week, so I can’t.” “I just always have too much homework I have to finish on Sundays.” Your heart sank more.

Trust me. I get it! I understand 100% that heart-sinking feeling. It hurts, and no one–not the young people and not even their parents–seems to get it. You are working so hard at trying to instill the Bible in the lives of these young people and providing ways for them to serve and to be together to learn about the Lord, and then, on His day (of all days), your heart is sinking when the day is done.

How do you keep doing it? You remember “that” kid. The one who comes to every devotional. The one who wants to serve. The one who opens his or her Bible in class and is really listening to what you are trying to teach. The one who puts his or her hand on your shoulder at the end of the trip and says, “Thank you.” The one who would go to the moon with you on a mission trip, but would also simply walk to a classroom for another “old school” devotional.

The one who, though not yet strong in the faith, is growing because of your effort.

May your group have “that” kid. And, parents, may we try to instill in our children an appreciation for what those youth leaders are doing. Your group may not get to do everything another one does. It may not go on a thousand trips a year or have a huge budget.

But someone is loving your kid enough to teach them about Jesus, and every Sunday that person’s heart is sinking. Pick them up by having your kid be “that” kid!

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Ephesians 6:9)

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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn