Staying afloat in Youth work

 Working with Youth is hard work, if you haven't tried it, you have been warned!  You get little thanks from the Youth or even most parents I've met.  Through voluntary work as an officer in the Boys' Brigade the kids simply expect you to be running these programmes as if it were your duty.  I've had parents who will complain at the simplest matter and never thank any officer, ignoring the work put in by the officers which goes far beyond the hour or so you have looking after their child.  The fact that they pay £2, which goes towards insurance through the BB, administration and resources, it is as if they think we're making profits ourselves.

So when you organise an event that the kids refuse without reason it's down heartening.  You design an event that could do great things but without a spark of interest from a ringleader, teenagers certainly won't go.  Even the best events can fail just through what seems cool from day to day.

But powering on is a part of youth work.  Even a paid youth worker stumbles just as much.  The problem is when we begin to question whether what we're doing is worthwhile, when it seems that we're simply treading water.  Sadly I think with a lot of our work, that is in fact all we can do, just keep our heads above the water for as long as possible.  With all the invitations for other things, like alcohol, music, movies, games and other such things drawing youth away from the organised groups it becomes a mission.  It is then that we need look towards God for a leg up!

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Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

So look back at the good things like the parents who are there to help, thanking you where they can but it doesn't matter if you get the thanks, what shows that you're making a difference is that they are there.

What about when a child learns something new, their behaviour changes or they're just having fun!  Think of all of that, because that's where it really matters.  Then drive forward once again, aim for the next programme, the next event and keep on working even when you're feeling low, it's then that God is asking you where you stand, He will lead you on if you let Him take the wheel.

Youth work is the change we need in our communities, to better our nations.  Know that ao long as you're doing Youth work and the Kids are coming, you are winning!