There is actually a joke that often circulates around my office and other church staff meetings. It is more of a comment concerning the number of times the word "Intergenerational" comes up when I am involved in ministry conversations. To be honest, I love that the word has become a part of our church's vocabulary and love every time the word is used in
any context.
David, "
Why do you love being annoying?" (
annoying may be a bad word, let's say
persistent)
Because focusing on Intergenerational relationships in Youth Ministry create a wonderful tapestry of support structures that help students embrace and mature in their faith.
I want you to read the blog post from one of our recent 24:7 Student Ministry graduates. I do not share this to "brag" about our church and ministry programs (I could brag about the greatest group of adult volunteers in the world). I also do not share this to highlight one student above another (all of our students are wonderful). I share this as a testimony of the impact a church with an Intergenerational focus can have on a young person's life. By the way, I asked permission to use his post but you may want to make this young man's blog a regular read. Here is the link
jaredking24.wordpress.com
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This blog really has a dual purpose. First and foremost, I’d like
to thank everyone who has been involved with The Hills Church of
Christ 24:7 Student Ministry, to any degree, for changing and shaping my
life. The second purpose is to brag on what an amazing student ministry
24:7 has been, and will continue to be in the future. But first, a
disclaimer..
*In no way, shape, or form does my declaration of immense
gratitude to all 24:7 related parties signify the end of my contact
with said parties, or the participation in said ministry. I plan on
staying active in the lives of those at The Hills, and will be as
involved as humanly possible while living three hours away. You can’t get rid of me that easily.*
Now before the tears start flowing, thank you…
The Hills Elders and Senior Staff: Thank you for being
possibly the most loving and caring church leaders on the planet. While
The Hills is the only church I’ve attended regularly for the last 13
years, I’m well aware that many church leaders do not look upon the
youth of their congregation with the same fondness and respect I have
seen from you. I love that you have thrown out the old saying that
“children are the church of
tomorrow” and have actively sought to make us a part of the church
today. I
can’t imagine other churches having most of the senior staff speak for
the youth group on an annual basis like Rick Atchley, Cary Branscum,
Mike Washburn, Charley Taylor, and many others have now done the past
few years. Even more incredible is the way you have attempted to
integrate teens into the church wide ministry boards whether it be Men’s
ministry, Women’s ministry, or Missions. Saying that we are the church
of today is one thing, but asking us to take responsibility for what is
going on in the church is another level of confidence that means the
world to me and many others who want to feel like an important part of
the church. Thank you to the elders who constantly prayed over us before
retreats, camps, mission trips. The words of blessing sometimes spoken
at 7am or earlier on a Saturday morning mean more than I can fully
appreciate. Thank you for the way you treat the youth staff. From
watching and hearing stories of how my dad was treated by elders and
senior staff as a youth minister, I should have no desire to become one.
But because of the love and respect I have seen you give Dave, Jason,
Darin, Melanie, and Nicole, I have hope for my future church to want
show Christ to all they meet, regardless of age.
The 24:7 Youth Staff: Thank you for literally
changing the course of my life. I have no idea where I would be going
and what I would be doing with my life if it wasn’t for your love and
example. It was 8th grade when I first decided I wanted to become a
youth minister. At that point it was just cause I loved worship and
liked the idea of going to camps and retreats and getting paid for it.
But over the last four years, especially this past year, you have taught
me what being a youth minister really means. It is so much more than
anyone on the outside could ever imagine. You have let me in on the
heart of 24:7. You’ve shown me hearts aren’t always pretty; tensions
flare, stresses rise, patiences are tested, and heartaches happen. But
the joy I’ve seen radiate through you in spite of all you have seen is
what is truly inspiring. Thank you Darin and Melanie for getting me
hooked on 24:7. Until E-camp my 6th grade year I wanted nothing to do
with 24:7 and the OKC and Little Rock mission trips made me realize the
joys of serving others. Thank you Jeff and Jason Allen for being a light
in my life from another campus. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent
with each of you on trips. Southlake and WFW are in excellent hands with
the two of you at the helm. God is doing amazing things through you.
Thank you Nicole for the impact you made on so many teens lives while
you were here. I learned a lot from hearing stories of you counseling
students and watching you work in the lives of many of my friends on
incredibly intimate levels. Nashville is ridiculously blessed to have
you changing lives there. You and Melanie have been shining examples
that women are needed in youth ministry. Thank you John for all the
things that you have done with the band and your creative inputs
throughout the ministry. Also thanks for helping me realize I could
sing. Leading worship with you is one of my absolute favorite
experiences in 24:7. Thank you to Jason and Dave for putting so much
into my life to help me grow foremost as a man of God, but also as a
future youth minister. The experiences you have given me I wouldn’t
trade for anything. Whether it was letting me on staff at e-camp, taking
me on speaking engagements, letting me teach lessons, or just talking
with me about life, you have shaped the way I look at life and at
ministry specifically. If I could be half the men you are, I would be
perfectly content with my character and my ability to minister. Thank
you to all the staff on each campus for being an example of Christ to so
many teens over the years and for years to come.
The Adult Volunteers: Thank you for being what
likely separates 24:7 the most from other student ministries. I have
never seen such a large group of adults care so deeply about kids that
were not their own. However, many of you have treated me like one of
your own and because of that I am truly blessed. D-groups have shown me
what it means for the body of Christ to raise children. The love that I
have felt from The Wards, Halls, Peschells, Jones, and all the other
parents of my class involved has kept me on the path for years now. I
love knowing that just because I’m farther away the relationships don’t
end and you will continue to make sure I’m on the path. Thank you to the
Herrera’s. Brian and Angela, you have been actual family to me and I
often forget we aren’t actually related. It feels like I have known you
forever but its really been less than three years. But in that time you
have opened up your home and opened up your lives for me and so many
others. Your transparency is inspiring and your willingness to give
advice and encouragement is wonderful. I don’t know what I would do
without your family. Thank you to all the volunteers who have simply
talked with me and encouraged me throughout my 24:7 experience. Without
you 24:7 would not be the safe place it has been for countless teens who
desperately needed caring and Godly adults in their lives.
The Students: Thank you. I am honestly at a loss on
how to display the affection I have for all of you. I have been blessed
by so many who have come and graduated before me but blessed my life and
gave their friendship to me. I have so many dear friends in classes
behind me who consider me a role model but I learn more from them than
they possibly could from me. Awesome things are going to happen through
24:7 because of those of you who will be leading in the years to come.
Thank you most of all to my fellow graduates. We did it. We made it
through the hell that was middle school and thrived in the joys and
pains of high school because of the bond we have with each other through
Christ. I have no doubt that I have been a part of the greatest class
to have ever gone through 24:7. The things that you all will do with
your lives for the Kingdom are limitless. I don’t know what to say other
than each one of you has my undying love and regardless of us going
separate ways, we are still the body of Christ. In times of joy, we will
be there. In times of pain, we will be there. In times of normality, we
will be there. In times of uncertainty, we will be there. When time is
no more and Heaven has come to earth, we will be there.
“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will
be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with
all their heart.” -Jeremiah 24:7
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As I look at the picture Jared shared above (Senior Class 2014), I am certain many, if not all, of these students could share stories of a church and adults who have impacted their spiritual journey in "
Sticky Faith" manner.
Senior Pastors, Executive Ministers, Student Ministers, Adult Volunteers, Parents...it takes effort, causes frustration and there are mistakes that can be made when in attempting to keep an Intergenerational focus in programming (I know, we make a lot). Still, the results are worth the cost!
