I was fortunate enough to spend the weekend in Chicago meeting with some amazing youth pastors and youth coaches. I really enjoyed hanging out with good, good people who really care about students and the conversations were challenging to me and reaffirmed some of my own values about youth ministry.
We spent a lot more time than I had anticipated we would talking about Emo culture and cutting. I confess these things really showed up after I got to CIY so my experience with them is rather limited. We had a great discussion about how/if Emo and grunge culture from the 90's were similar. A rebellion against the rebellion essentially. I had to smile thinking back to my high school years rocking the Doc Martens, jeans and a flannel. I'm glad most pictures from that era of my life are safely stored away.
On my drive home yesterday I was convicted that I'm not praying enough for my brothers and sisters in youth ministry. At times I forget just how important and overwhelming their ministry is.
