NewDay Youth is doing something different and new this year: journalling. We are taking a formal time every four weeks to be alone and quiet and spend the better part of an hour writing. They can write about their day, their life, Jesus, the church, etc. The only rule is that is has to be directly connected to them. Contrary to what I imagined, this has quickly become a loved and requested activity. It’s a time where believers can connect with Jesus in a quiet, private way. For non-believers, it allows them to quiet their souls and do some soul searching. It’s super good. While tonight was not our scheduled journalling night, a handful of teens requested to journal instead of social time at the end. I put on some Bethel worship and sat and wrote with them. While I was writing and praying, I started making a list of all the things Thursday Night Live (our youth program) is and strives to be.

With so many socio-political, church-related happenings lately, I have been praying and thinking about what the church’s role is in this ever changing society. After reading over this list, I think it’s a pretty good start to what the church should strive to be in this time. Some of these are obviously more tailored to youth ministry, but if nothing else it will give you a picture of how God has blessed this ministry I love so much.

TNL (Thursday Night Live) is:

• A safe place
• A place where your crazy can unashamedly show
• A place where real life happens
• A place where God is present
• A place full of prayer, both corporate and personal
• A judgement-free zone
• A place full of unconditional love
• A place that has a plan
• A place that leaves room for God to change those plans as He wishes
• A place where people are healed
• A place full of truth
• A place with boundaries
• A place full of grace
• A place that is rambunctious and peaceful all at once
• A place open to all
• A place for contemplation
• A place for learning
• A place to ask questions
• A place to call ‘bull crap’ and talk it out
• An environment that leads to softened hearts
• A place where the Holy Spirit is sought out
• A beautiful place full of beautiful people
• A place that is frighteningly authentic
• A place full of broken people
• A place where love is so thick that you have to wade through it to find your seat
• A place full of joy
• A place full of hope
• (once again) A safe place

I am so thankful for the blessings God has given this ministry, and I hope that this list can bring encouragement to those seeking a trajectory for their own ministries. Authentic lives (sometimes heartbreakingly so) lived out in safety combined with the overwhelming love and presence of the Holy Spirit makes for life-changing experiences.