The Youth Pastor's Son

As a Husband, Dad to an 9 month old and Youth Pastor my weeks can be a little hard to balance at times. With that said, there is nothing else I could possibly do with my life. God has undoubtedly called my to preach His word, LOVE people and walk alongside teens as they journey with Jesus.

As a youth pastor my wife and son are there every Wednesday night serving right alongside me. This means more to me than they probably know. My wife runs the power point for us while I preach, give announcements, Etc. Noah, our son just sits right in his Mom's lap or is held in the arms of one of our volunteers. Some nights he sleeps (snores out loud) some nights he is bouncing up and down and squealing, some nights he farts in the middle of his Dad trying to give       and invitation and lead teens to Christ.

Knowing that my son will be growing up in the Church, constantly surrounded by: teens, soda, pizza, loud music, games, small groups, theme nights, communions, Sunday School fellowships, etc. There is something that I hope he and others in our lives will understand. 

First and foremost who my son is, is not dependent on his Dad being a pastor. It is far too common that preacher's kids live in a fish bowl. People will be watching him, and questioning his choices, his friends, his wardrobe and countless other things. I pray that my son will be himself. That he will grow up, strong and confident and capable of feeling comfortable in who God created him to be. Will he make mistakes? ABSOLUTELY! But, the way he is looked at or treated should not be more or less severe because of who I am or what position I hold. 

Secondly, my son's with relationship with Jesus is dependent on him. I can't love Jesus for him. But, I can/will pray everyday that when my son is old enough and understand who Jesus is and what Jesus did for him,  that he will completely give his life to Jesus. I pray that my son will come to know that there is no greater life than one that is cloaked in the love of Jesus Christ. 

I want my son to grow up not regretting that he is the son of a youth pastor. I want him to grow up thinking and knowing that his dad has the greatest and most important job (maybe not in this world, but definitely in the next). 

I am thankful that my son reminds us weekly that it's ok to fun in Church. I am thankful for what he has brought into my life. A pride, a love, a bucket of emotions that I can't really explain. I'm amazed how even at the age of 9 months he has the ability to love and minister to people. His smile has been known to change the outlook of the day. His laugh can take you go from tears to joy that you didn't know was existed. When he goes to the bathroom during the middle of his Dad's sermon, you can't help but think God has a sense of humor. He's an amazing gift. He's going to be an amazing man one day. He is the youth pastor's son...

Closing Summer/Opening Campus Ministry

As I am writing this our youth and their parents are in a hustle to do a couple of things. 

1.) Buy school clothes
2.) Find the coolest binders and pens in existence.
3.) Double checking with the guidance counselors to make sure they have all the right classes to graduate and pad the ole GPA.

One thing is for sure, the summer has quickly come to an end.

Some would think that this is the time when a youth pastor starts to shut down. But, it's the complete opposite. With a new school year beginning, a whole new branch of youth ministry and opportunities to reach teens for Christ opens up!

Here is a list of how I "Close Out" the summer and how I "Open Up" the school year's Campus Ministry...

"Closing Out" Summer 

- When we finish each summer calendar I look back over it and calculate some numbers.
     * How many 'ministry' hours did we put in? (We will be close to 275 hrs.)
     * About how many different teens did we minister to?
     * What were some high points?
     * What were some low points?
     * What events/hang outs were successful?
     * What events/hang outs do we need to rework or cut?
     * What do we need to make more of a priority for next summer?
     * Should we do 'Summer' Wednesday nights differently?
     * Should we do 'Summer' Sunday morning Bible Study differently?

- I take down the Summer calendars and put up the school ones.

- We have our closing event = "So Long Sweet Summer"

- I have a meeting with our Youth Team and discuss anything and everything from point one, and we vision cast/plan for the school year.

"Opening Up" Campus Ministry

- One of the first things I do, is about 2 weeks from the start of the school year is email/call all of my contacts at our schools. (We minister to about 8 different schools.) I contact them for a couple of different reasons.
     * To ask if there is anything we can do to help them get the school year started.
     * To make sure the school is still willing to let me come have lunch during the school year.
     * To find out if I am even aloud on campus (Unfortunately some make you jump through EXTREME hoops)
     * To start setting up which week and day of the month I will come and speak through the year. (Chapels, FCA's, FCS's, Etc.)
     * To find out if the schools offer any 'sports passes' to come to games. (We go to a lot of games and it really adds up. Even if one school will give you and your spouse a pass, it was worth the call.)
     * To start setting up our 'Tailgate Nights.' (Where we go to football games, and meet tons of people!) = Amazing outreach.

The last things we do are really quite simple: (But, yet kind of fall into both categories...)

- We have our annual 'Boot Camp' = This is for rising 7th graders. It's a day full of learning and exploring what we do in the 'Blue House', why we do it, and how they can be apart of the team.

- We say goodbye to our seniors (Always sad, but they are ready.)

- I have our students fill our new 'Student Info Cards.' These are cards with general information = School, grade, email, etc. But, they also have some questions to make ministering to them a little easier for us = From their favorite soda/candy, to their favorite place to hang out, hobbies, to if they know Jesus as their Savior.

I'm sure I'm not the only youth pastor to do these things. But, I just thought I'd share. 

Praying for this year to be a HUGE, God-sized movement in our schools! 

Shine On,
Chase Allen