Three Thoughts about Retreats from a Rookie Youth Pastor

Two weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to speak at a friend’s youth group retreat. It was an exciting and challenging experience. It was of particular interest to see how kids can be different in different contexts (my friend is a youth pastor for a Korean PCA church) and how kids can be pretty much the same. It appears that somehow I can make most teens laugh, though I’m not sure if it’s usually for the reasons I intend.

I think there is a lot I could say, but for the sake of the title, I’ll limit my thoughts to three.

  1. As a speaker, it’s important that I be myself. I don’t mean “be yourself” like hug yourself and find your inner-child weirdness. I was just given the excellent advice that even though I might be tempted to try to wow or impress or try something new, be myself. Don’t try to emulate that famous multi-campus church leader or that generation-changing author. It’s really good advice, because (1) I think I was tempted to try to impress and (2) pride comes before the fall. I think it’s probably intentional that Paul calls us “jars of clay” and not “goblets of bling.”
  2. Kids are different. Kids are the same. Most of the teens were first generation US citizens with parents who had moved from Korea- a significant contextual difference from most of the kids in our youth ministry. But it was amazing to see how similar they were in how they responded to the messages. And I know that at a deep level, the need is the same- the need to believe the Gospel and appropriate its benefits in our lives.
  3. I love people who love the Gospel. I had some really great conversations with my friend, Sam. We come from slightly different worlds contextually and theologically. And yet, there’s a lot we agree on, things like the good news about Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and the hope for those who believe, these things make our friendship very encouraging. I’m thankful to have brothers in other churches who love God and love His people and are willing to befriend me.

It was a great time and I’m so thankful to my friend Sam.

Published by Eddy Barnes

Eddy Barnes a husband, father, and the youth pastor at Grace Covenant Church.

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2 Comments

  1. Not jars of clay but goblets of bling. Wow. That hit me for some reason. Great post. Look forward to hearing more from you, Eddy .

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