A Rhythm of Change

I never quite understood how to handle the end of summer vacation and the beginning of the school year as a youth worker.  At one level there is this mourning process that some students go through as they see the freedom, joy, and excitement of summer fade away.  At another level there are those students, some gripped with boredom others with loneliness, eager for the return of friends, activities, and routine.  Add to these dynamics the energizing events of short-term mission trips, unique community care projects, camp, and family vacation.  All of these flow together and leave many youth workers wondering what we should do and how we should respond to this regular transition in the life of our students.

There are four considerations that I believe are essential in guiding students through regular transitions.  These considerations are meant to deepen the formative nature of these events.

1. Create a Little Rhythm:  Our students live increasingly scattered and fragmented lives.  So anytime a regular event begins to emerge in our students life we should think about creating a regular practice to mark the occasion.
2. Make It Full of Meaning:  Several youth worker understand the importance of rhythm and they mark the end of summer with a retreat or entertaining weekend activity.  Think about taking that regular practice to the next level.  Create activities and lessons that guide your students to reflect on God’s activity during their summer vacation and to dream about what God wants them to do in the coming school year.
3. Let Scripture Guide:  As you prepare that activity, lesson or event which will mark the transition, think about the transitions that occurred in the lives of God’s people.  Here are some stories you may want to consider:  Genesis 12:1-9; Joshua 3; 1 Samuel 7:3-17; 2 Kings 2:1-18.  Dig a little deeper and think of how you might use the natural transition as a metaphor for a spiritual truth like in the teachings of Jesus (John 4:35-36) and Paul (1 Cor. 15).
4. Presence is Priceless:  The various dynamics involved in a transition is enough reason to get us out amongst our students.  Think about setting aside time in the weeks leading up to the transition to meet students in the midst of their lives.  Visit them at home, in their neighborhood, at the park, or any where they typically live their life.  Remember that these transition times are ripe for the Holy Spirit to bring renewal and transformation.

May God bless you and your students with a great transition and continue to open up the greatness of the Kingdom.