Fire and Brimstone!

Have you ever been to a large youth rally? You know the type, big-name speaker, loud music, and thousands of screaming, emotional teens. I never liked youth conferences like that, because to me, they were characterized by empassioned speakers that were full of large guilt trips to teens that wanted only to be on an emotional high. A month later, they were no different than before they fell on their knees to change their life completely. Life change starts with a consistent, honest approach to ministry, beginning with the pastor's own integrity.

This past Sunday, I had an opportunity to take into action some decisions that we youth leaders decided while on our retreat. You'll remember it from my post about the disagreement and heading to Red Deer. Well, that disagreement was on how we deal with the problems that come up in our youth group. Do we use subtle nudgings in order to provoke life change, or do we use a little of the American's shock and awe?

It's an interesting view on the world when you're the one who is speaking into the kids' lives. It's extremely hard to read what they are thinking, and especially how your message is being received. I spoke, as you read in my previous post all about the need for definitive life change in a person's life. Naturally, when I speak, it's not going to be exactly as the message, but that's the general jist of it.

Today I went out with one of our youth for lunch and had a chance to get some feedback from my message, as well as speak into his life. I can say that it was one of the most worthwhile talks I've had in a long time. God took my words and used them to really speak into his life, and ask questions about what needs to change in his life.

I think this is really how God wanted it to all play out. Not just your mega life-busting events, but challenges that are geared to where they are at, and more specifically followed up by more intimate talks that really delve into the depths of the situation. I can honestly say that I learned a lot about this youth that I never knew before.

Now to see what God will do in the coming weeks! It's exciting times.