Why is it so hard?

[YurWay]

Why is it that no matter how much you demonstrate Christ's love to your youth group, you just never seem to get it in return. I guess this is just a rant. I love my youth kids but it seems that even though I take the time to genuinely reach out, I never get any response in return. I understand that ministry is about leading, and guiding the young flock to Christ, but sometimes I wish my youth kids could understand what I sacrifice to do what I do.

 

[A4J]

What age group are you dealing with? I have trouble with the 7th-8th grade.

 

[YurWay]

Highschool students

 

[squeak]

Speaking as a 'youth kid' I'm sure yours appreciate the work you do far more than you realise. Sometimes us young people are pretty forgetful when it comes to showing appreciation! Don't let it make you feel discouraged...keep doing what you're doing!

 

[A4J]

Highschool students

Tough crowd. Fighting for attention every minute of everyday.

Personally, I just try to meet them where they are in hopes to bring them to a good relationship with Christ. Building relationships is huge.

 

[shaslove]

What age group are you dealing with? I have trouble with the 7th-8th grade.

these are the kids i work with also...they are listening...when they have a crisis...it will be you they come to!

 

[A4J]

these are the kids i work with also...they are listening...when they have a crisis...it will be you they come to!

And I do welcome it ever so much because I do love them very much. Youth kids are one of the biggest parts of my life.

 

[livelovenow]

You are making a difference!!!

Kids just dont always show it, it is important that you set a good example and lead them the right way, they might not immediatly respond to your message, but be sure that they will think about you in dark times.

Keep it up.

 

[YurWay]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the encouraging words.

 

[CamaroZ28Dude]

They probably won't get it until they start making sacrifices of their own.

But I feel the same way of lot of the time. Talking with other youth ministers encourages me though.

 

[christiangal522]

Why is it that no matter how much you demonstrate Christ's love to your youth group, you just never seem to get it in return. I guess this is just a rant. I love my youth kids but it seems that even though I take the time to genuinely reach out, I never get any response in return. I understand that ministry is about leading, and guiding the young flock to Christ, but sometimes I wish my youth kids could understand what I sacrifice to do what I do.

They will eventually. Trust me on this. I worked with a tough group of boys for about 3 years and when they graduated high school they all came up and told me how much they were sorry for being pains in the butts and how much I meant to them and how much they appreciated me. I still talk to them all the time!!! Give it time!

 

[followtheWay]

I know exactly where you're coming from. And there has been lots of great responses so far.

A question, and not meant to be hostile. What are you looking for in return from them?

 

[YurWay]

I know exactly where you're coming from. And there has been lots of great responses so far.

A question, and not meant to be hostile. What are you looking for in return from them?

I guess all I'm asking for is a simple "thanks".
I just feel that I give literally my life to some of my youth kids and to see no acknowledgement in return is just very saddening. But I do realize that many youth don't understand until they've matured more. There is a time to reap and a time to sow. Perhaps now is the time for me to sow.

 

[followtheWay]

It's hard to keep giving when it seems unappreciated.

The challenge I face at that point is keeping my priorities straight, remembering that I serve God for His glory, not man for my own glory. Or at least, that's what should be true of me.

God has granted me a few adult friends who are great encouragements to me. They have truly been instruments of grace in my life, and sometimes when I am most discouraged, frustrated, confused, or otherwise down, they have come along and done what was necessary to lift my focus back to Christ, and keep on the right trail.

Do you have any adult friends that encourage you in this?

 

[conamorebella]

i lead in my church for a while and im kinda within the age group ur talking about i guess (17). Even as a leader in my own church i found it difficult to take on the advice of my own leaders (we had the G12 cell system going).
As teenagers we need to come to a point where the beliefs were being taught beome our own, where we take the step of not only believing in Christ an doing all the 'right' things that were expected to do....but where we take control of our own faith. It may seem that ur kids are a long way away from that but call on God for inspiration. Remember your Gods hands. You can only recite to them what he tells you they need to hear. The rest is up to him to work in their spirits.
Good luck...
xx

 

[jeremym]

To alot of parents, you are a glorified babysitter. To alot of kids, you are an authority figure that they tolerate at the most.

You have to have thick skin and clear commitment to your calling to make it through the thin times. Understand that alot of those kids that aren't appreciating you today will probably be back in 10 years telling you how great it was to be a part of your group.

 

[sweetrattle]

Sometimes you will have to look for encouragement outside of the youthgroup. Look to their parents, teachers, and others in the church. Above all you know that God is proud of you. Just keep plucking along. It will happen one day when they have kids, when they realized what you did for them....that's the big pay off day!

 

[Slider1]

I am still a youth, barely, and I'm just starting to realize how much my youth leaders did for me while i was growing up in the church, and Im also realizing how little I did back then to help them...and generally I stuck up for them too...I saw how hard some of the other kids were on the youth leaders (refusal to cooperate, verbal insults etc...it was really bad...) and even though I was never like that, I also am realizing that I wasnt positive enough. so now that I actually realize this I'm trying to do more for my youth leaders while Im still a youth...because I really am grateful...
youth are a tough bunch...we're all trying to be seen and heard, thinking mostly about ourselves (selfish brats we are hehe)...it'll be tough but stick with it, and good luck.

 

[MisterS]

You know, as a youth leader I find myself sometimes struggling with this as well. My church body at large tends to be somewhat... passionless, you could say. As a result, when I am leading a Bible Study and get passionate, I don't see the youth getting excited. I see weird looks. But from talking individually with them, I know that they are not turned off by my passion. It's just not like them... yet. I think it just takes some time.

 

[seehimcoming]

wow! i am going to be leading my youth group with the other youth leaders in a couple of weeks, high school crowd, tough crowd... but i'll make it interesting as much as possible.Hopefully i will be able to touch thier lives spiritually.