1 vs 10

I remember taking a youth class at BBC where Troy talked about the joy of having 1 great youth worker verses 10 average youth workers. When I heard him say that, I really didn't think much about it. Having now been in youth ministry for three years, I am now beginnning to understand what he was saying. Six months ago, I began investing in several youth workers who were young, appealing to the teens, and at the time seemed eager to serve. During the following months, I struggled as I tried to meet with them and disciple them. It felt like pulling teeth many times just to get them to do the simple things. All of this came to a head last month when we were supposed to have our monthly meeting. 30 minutes prior to the meeting, one of my leaders called to inform me that she and her husband would no longer be helping with the youth. As I tried to deal with that, the time for the meeting came and went (same day, same time each month), and the only one who came arrived 30 minutes late. This became the beginning of the end with my youth workers.

All this hit me pretty hard as I began to question my leadership, my calling, and myself. What happened next is of God. I came to the place where I left it in his hands. What God didn't do was bring a wave of new adult leaders to my ministry. He didn't infuse our church with new potential. Instead, he called an already very involved family to come out each week and participate in the youth program. One week, the husband is there and the next week, the wife attends. Without any discipling or instruction, they have not only met the bar but risen above it. They lead with lives of integrity, participate in games, laugh, cry and feel with the teens, and meet them where they are at. It was at this point when I truley realized what Troy was talking about. It's not how I would have done it, but how often does God do it my way?! Instead of spinning my wheels with people who don't want to serve, I have been blessed with two who live their lives in servanthood. If someone asked me which I would prefer, 1 great youth worker who gets it or 10 average youth workers who don't but might, my answer would be easy...bring on the 1!!!