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Written for the new digital magazine from Wild Frontier & X3 Publications: YM Shorts

I Don't Want Your Job; I Just Want to do Mine.

As a volunteer with a life and limited free time, one of my top desires and, dare I say, needs, is for my youth pastor to make it worth my while to show up. There are three ways the yp can do this: 

1. Train me.  Along with the rest of our volunteer team, hold a training time at least once a quarter, if not monthly. I don't care if you're twenty years my junior. You can do something as simple as print out a great article from any number of ym magazines or online resources. Highlight your favorite points. Hand me a copy and tell me why it matters. 

2. Thank me. Now and then, remind me that you notice my sacrifice of time, emotion, and energy. Thank me, not just for "being there," but for the unseen praying and mentoring I may do behind the scenes. Catch me doing something good and tell me you noticed. I'm not going to outgrow that.

3. Unleash me. I won't do things exactly like you, and you need to be okay with that. Release me to lead, teach, or plan as me, not a caricature of you.

Thanks, Pastor. Oh, and, in case you're wondering, I don't want your job and I don't think I can do it better than you.