I’ve been asking myself this question for about 3 weeks now. Let me try to share with you the flow of thought that went along with this.
Me thinking: “We need a name for our youth group? Something cool and fitting?”
Tons of ideas come in to my head, Kristie and I search the web, some of our youth send in suggestions … but nothing is clicking.
Me thinking again: “Why is it so difficult to find a name that fits our youth group which isn’t cheesy?”
Then, I begin trying to answer that question. Which leads to some really deep thinking which begins to get heavy on the mind.
Me thinking: “What does fit our youth group? What are we all about? What are my goals for these students? Where do I want these kids to be when they leave the youth group as seniors? How can I get them there?”
That’s a load.
With all this thinking, I haven’t come up with much yet. But I have come up with this 1 simple thing.
My goal – as youth pastor – for each student that comes through our ministry is to help them become the kind of people who allow God to invade their lives in every area so that every decision they make will be based upon God’s Word and prayer. I want them to answer the question, “How do you determine what’s right and wrong?” with “By looking in God’s Word.” I want them to answer the question, “Why are you so happy?” with “Because I have a great relationship with Jesus Christ.” I want them to decide how to live based upon what they know about God through Bible reading, prayer, church, and their own life experiences.
So … what kind of name says all that? What name expresses these goals?
I’m still thinking.
Go with God,
Donald Buttram
