Youth Ministry Spotlight - Church of the Redeemer

How did you come into being a Youth Minister in an AMiA church?

Well, I just finished up seminary here in Chicago from Trinity International University and I was planning on doing an internship for my degree down in New Orleans. About three weeks before I was to depart in August 06, I saw Jay Greener (Pastor of Church of the Redeemer) studying for a sermon in the Trinity library. We went out to lunch and dreamed together. And at the end of the conversation, he said that if my internship for any reason falls through to give him a call. Sure enough, three days after that initial conversation my internship did fall through. I gave Jay Greener a call and in a matter of weeks, I was working with the youth as an intern. Then a couple months later, it turned into a position at the church.

What do you find as the most rewarding part of youth ministry?

On a few occasions, as I engage with students one on one, you'll begin to listen to their processing in decision making and desire for wisdom. And they'll start quoting to you things that they've learned through the year not realizing that they are doing this. Some days, you feel like and absolute failure and question whether or not you're getting through. And on other days, you can consider yourself a privileged man to see the fruit of your labor.

Describe the community around your church and the overall "happenings" of your youth? (ie. extra-curricular activities, school functions, etc.)

First of all, I have some superstars. My students are incredible. They're smart, talented and absolutely beautiful people. When I describe to other youth pastors where I am able to go with my students, I have a feeling they get a little jealous. There is a large contingency of students in the music program at their high school. Much of their focus is on school but we have pretty regular things taking place at our church. Our Sunday Night is our big night with guys and girls small groups taking place on Wednesday evening. We're also engaged in spiritual formation retreats a couple times throughout the year. Our Jr. High ministry has been developing throughout the year with monthly activities. There is a nucleus starting to develop here!

What are some challenges you find while being in youth ministry?

The first challenge in our particular micro-culture is the issue of time. In the North Shore of Chicago (and I'm assuming in other areas in our culture because we are a transient, communication driven culture) community is limited. We are no longer parish communities. We are communities, that at most, see each other two to three times a week. Because of this dilemma, the challenges of intimacy are daunting. Time becomes with my students more and more of a tension. Yes, I get frustrated because of competing commitments but I also need to have compassion with the amount of pressure and REAL stress that my students undergo.

Describe for us the desire you have for the youth in your community? What is your hope for their futures?

My hope for my students is that they will become "fully discipled disciples." This is our vision for Spring 08. I borrowed this phrase from Dallas Willard. The intention behind this phrase is that my students would mature into being fully alive, fully faithful men and women of God. The means by which this occurs is to give them tools of disciplines in their lives to put themselves in a posture to receive grace. Receiving grace and allowing the Lord to love through us is the end goal. To be fully capable of loving and receiving love is the end. To have one's heart (or will) shaped by the disciplines in order that the virtues or the fruits of the spirit would pour out of their lives is the end. But the beauty of this journey together is that the end is by nature just that: a journey of learning how to love. "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."