Been Blogging 6 years: what this is all about

Every once in a while I feel like I need to take a little bit of time to define what it is I’m doing on this blog.  Over the years I’ve picked up a lot of new readers who may not know me very well and they could wonder what this is all about.  I also migrated to WordPress last year and I lot’s some links and photos in that process so it’s not always easy to find everything anymore.

This blog is really just a place where I hope that my life and ministry can help other people.  I write a lot of things about Youth Ministry because that’s something that I feel I know quite a bit about.  I have been a full-time Youth Minister since 2007 when I got my start working at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena. Before that I worked at a camp for 4 summers called Forest  Home and in college I worked at a Juvenile Detention Center for 4 years. I’ve been officially working with students since 1989. It’s been a wild ride and one that I’ve really enjoyed.  I hope that through this blog you will be able to see my heart for students, leaders, parents and ultimately how to live a life as a youth worker in a balanced and healthy way.

I’m not trying to promote myself as any sort of guru and I have a great job so this blog isn’t about creating a kingdom that I can use to make money, get speaking gigs or build my business.  Yes, if you look to the right you will see that I recently published my first book.  It’s something that I’m proud of and I think will help a lot of people.  Others seem to be agreeing with me, which is nice.  I hope to make enough money on book sales to take my wife on a weekend getaway.  :)   I have been blessed to have the opportunity to write some articles this year too for magazines and blogs like Immerse, Youthworker Journal, Fuller FYI, Slant33 and a few other places.  Again I hope that content is useful and if it’s not just tell me and I’ll quit writing it.

I love my church and am blessed to work with the most amazing youth staff, volunteers, parents and students around.  The community I live in is amazing and there are just some great things going on here.  I drive a 1974 VW Thing that I bought for 2 reasons. 1. I’ve always wanted that car and 2. It’s just the perfect Youth Minister vehicle because everyone knows when I’m coming and where I’m at because it is just so visible.  This year for the first time every I have a son who is in the youth group. He’s in 5th grade. We also have a 3rd grader and a kindergartner.  My wife is a celebrity in the neighborhood especially amongst younger students as she is a top sub at the elementary and middle schools.

One thing that I love to do is network and connect with people. I hope to always be someone who is available, open to talk and vulnerable in my thoughts.  I love interacting with new youth workers and cherish the time with those who have been doing it for a long time too.

So if I can help you please let me know. If you ever wonder what the heck I’m talking about ask me. I’m here and I hope/pray to be doing this youth ministry thing for a long time.   Hopefully you can learn from my failures and successes. I will always talk about both.