It Happens Every Year

The past few weeks have once again included confirmands who are excited to be in the youth program, 12th graders who can't believe their senior year is finally here and college freshmen excited about campus life. For parents, these milestones are bittersweet. While glad to see the fruits of their labor coming to fruition as their children mature, they are equally sad to let go of the infant they once held in their arms. For me, it is one of the things I like most about my area of ministry. The fact is: no year is ever alike. A new group moves in, others move up and some move on. It's as it should be. But I can't imagine youth,young adults, parents or myself going through these changes without a deep spiritual connection. I long for teenage parents to have the same excitement about growing in their faith as I saw in those 6th graders at the events of Week of Welcome. Empty nesters, the church is a great place to re-establish your purpose. Likewise, I want the Class of 2012 to make the most of their senior year at church because it will pass much too quickly, and I want our college students to remember to Live Out Loud in their new environments. Proverbs 22:6 says "start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Once again, the church will prepare the 6th graders-seniors for the path of Christain discipleship and trust as they leave for college they will not depart from it. Parents, you too should prepare your children for the path not prepare the path for your children. Effective life-giving youth ministry involves youth and adults becoming the family of God. With each person involved we will grow as a community of believers. We will depend on our faith to strengthen us for another school year.