This list is personal observations of the “ups and downs” of being a Teen Challenge staff member. I can’t help but smile when I write; I have lived out all of these at some point.  Even though it’s a tough road, keep Pressing Forward – “I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back” Philippians 3:12

1. It’s more difficult than you think it’s going to be – but not in the ways you’d expect. I expected it to be a lot of work, I expected there to be discouraging times and I expected there would be times I would want to quit, but I didn’t expect that I would spend most of my time doing stuff that I didn’t love or that didn’t excite me.
2. It’s more fun than you think it’s going to be. Strap on your helmet, but it is fun. You’re impacting people whose lives are at the absolute bottom – sometimes winning and sometimes failing. There will be plenty of things to laugh about along the way.
3. There are people who don’t want you to succeed. Identify these people and ignore them.
4. There are people who desperately want to you to succeed. Identify these people and meet with them regularly.
5. It is not always easy to figure out who are the people who don’t want you to succeed and the people who desperately want you to succeed.
6. The schedule, dropouts and disgruntled parents will wear you down sometimes. Be prepared with grace and mercy and be sure to take care of yourself, getting the spiritual and physical rest you need. As one staff member used to say during those trying times, “Welcome to the ministry!”
7. The best of plans will sometimes fail. That outreach, fundraiser or student outing (etc.) that you worked and planned for, crumbles in front of your eyes. Laugh, learn, Press Forward!
8. This is not the ministry you envisioned in your head. Rarely does it turn out like we picture in our minds, but is it the best it can be under our watch?
9. Don’t take things personally. Students will come and go; if your confidence and self-image depend on the “success” of your students, you are going to be messed up as a Teen Challenge staff member and will not be easy to live with. I’ve cried many tears over students who left; they are not out of God’s hands. One director used to say. “Once they have heard the Truth, we’ve at least made them miserable for the rest of their lives.”– The Holy Spirit is still at work in their lives. One director used to say, “Even though they meant it personal, don’t take it personal.” In other words they are speaking out of their hurts, fears and weaknesses.
10. Has God called you to TC for just a short season of your life or for the long haul? Decide and Press Forward!

Quoted from and adapted from the “Ups and Downs of Church Planting” originally posted by Dan Taylor (Edmonton, Alberta – Canada).