NCYM

Today I am going to Colorado Springs for NCYM - National Conference on Youth Ministery. Josh has been there since yesterday when the conference started. I can't take off work the whole week to go but there are some classes that sound interesting and that I can use for work training hours.

The conference has some great classes and keynote speakers -Mike Cope is speaking tonight. But I think that it is even more important for all the men and women attending the conference to be able to spend time with others who know what they experience every day in their jobs as youth ministers. I know Josh really looks forward to this time that he spends with friends and fellow youth ministers. They get to talk about frustrations, joys, funny situations and so many other things. They are all able to offer advice, pray together and just have fun and relax. One of the other things that Josh has said he likes about NCYM is that he is not the one in charge, he isn't teaching and he doesn't have to do anything. He is able to worship and learn for him, not because it is part of the job. I love that he is getting to expereince that this week. Until we were married, I had no idea how stressful just a "regular" Sunday at church can be for a minister. It is hard to be able to get into the worship without worrying about things that need to be done.

Take some time today and pray for any youth ministers you know who have impacted you in some way. They do a hard job and deserve all the support and prayers they can get.