Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

How do you react when someone refers to the youth group you lead as “your” youth group. “We’re going to Tim’s youth group tonight.” “Tim’s youth group is going on a trip…” What runs through your mind when you hear it referred to in that way? It’s OK to feel good since this is what God called you to do. You trained for it and throw your whole life into it. Yet down inside something should feel a little wrong about hearing it called “your” group or even when you call it “my youth group.” Sure, we know well enough what people mean by that term, and its OK for others to use it. The problem comes in if we start believing that, if we think of it as “my” group. We can sometimes loose perspective of whose group it really is.

Jesus says “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). We can use whatever terms we want as long as we keep foremost in our minds whose group it really is. It isn’t mine, it’s the Lord’s group. I can’t build it, only He can. We are growing the youth for Him, He is growing them through us. He is the chief shepherd, we are just the under shepherds, the ones with the awesome privilege of having a front row seat to watch Him work. Thank Him for that privilege. Enjoy your ministry. Pour yourself into it. Just always remember it is His group, His work, His church.

Scripture
Matthew 16:18, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Ephesians 2:19-22, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Reflect

• Do you sometimes take credit for what God is doing? Don’t steal His glory in any way!
• Do you put pressure on yourself to “do great things for God?” Try relaxing and letting God do great things through you.
• Do you ask Him to help you with your plans and program or do you report for duty and listen sensitively for His plans and leading?

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Jerry Schmoyer has been a minister in Pennsylvania for over 25 years and has worked with teenagers for 14 years, ever since I became one myself. He authors the weekly Time Out series here at Life in Student Ministry in hopes to spiritually refresh your soul as you continually pour so much of yourself into students. God bless!

Posted on February 24, 2008