The past few weeks I have been wrestling with the accumulation of snow on my roof which can result in a pretty serious and costly problem of ice dams. I have an older roof which is far down on the list of things to replace on our home. As a result the crazy snow that has stayed on the ground (and my roof) since Christmas has been on my mind - especially when I lay down to go to sleep.
Here are a few things that I have been doing to remedy the problem:
- I've been spreading salt on the problem areas like it's birdseed. I don't know if this does anything but provide peace of mind.
- After watching this newscast I got my name on the waiting list at the hardware store and have the ice melt hockey pucks to throw up on the roof.
-I had a friend give me this as a gift which is way more fun to use than it probably should be. It's like cutting cheese off the roof. It probably works best if it were done soon after the snow has fallen.
Last night, as I was thinking (and praying) about the ice on my roof, I started to compare ice dam emergencies to youth ministry. Most leadership involves problem solving and youth ministry is no different. Here's what I have so far:
- There are lots of times when youth ministry is lots of fun - sometimes more fun than any other ministry! Imagine what I looked like using this!
- Sometimes we need to change our methods and keep a watchful eye. I've lived in this house for 2 years and haven't had to worry about this because the accumulation of snow hasn't been as severe.
- God's transformation needs to take place internally. If we just change the external (the accumulation of snow) and neglect the internal (ice) we are only fooling ourselves and will soon have huge problems. Our true character will show itself!
- One of the most difficult parts of ministry is that you don't get to see the finished product. You can focus all your energy towards a student but if that student rejects or stiff-arms God they will have to learn the hard way. Likewise the student who seems to get it, can go to college and throw it all away.
- It is better for us to be proactive in the lives of students. If they can think about wise choices, Godly influences and a life of worship before they've damaged their relationships then there is so much we can spare them from. Get the snow off before it ices up!
- You are never really finished. I could get on my roof and remove all the snow but that doesn't guarantee that I'm done. The next storm (Wednesday night, Sunday morning, retreat, family crisis) is coming...
- A key ingredient to youth ministry is TRUST You can't guarantee that everything will be saved simply because of your effort. Recently, I have found myself in situations where I have been up late at night asking God to do what only He can do because I am at a lost.
Do you have any other connections of Ice Damming to Youth Ministry or leadership?
