For a long time I would avoid the most difficult conversations in youth ministry. I would just hope that people would “figure it out” themselves.

  • That a volunteer would figure out that their time on the team was done.
  • That the student would figure it out the changes they needed to make.
  • That the parent would realize their destructive patterns are reflected in their teenager.

I still don’t always have the guts to say the final 10% of a correcting conversation. I still cringe when I am about to say something that is of the Spirit but stings.

Confrontation isn’t something I live for, but it is something I know I have to live with.

But the longer I’m in youth ministry, the more I grasp my responsibility to gently nudge, speak truth and boldly proclaim God’s path. I pray for God’s discernment that I won’t go too far or say something that isn’t led by Him. It isn’t fun, it isn’t easy and I know I don’t always get it right. But it is a necessary part of youth ministry I should have had the strength to embrace sooner in my calling.

Blessings as you lovingly correct this week!

JG