One of my best buds in ministry in life moved away this week.

I couldn’t be happier for you, Steve.  I am happy for your family and for the congregation you are moving to serve.

My wife thought that I would cry (actual tears) when you officially moved away but I didn’t think so and here’s why: it’s not goodbye.  Yea, we’re not doing junior high ministry together anymore but I know we will still be in the trenches for the Lord!  There’s no front we’ve gotta maintain with each other and I know we will continue to encourage along the way.

Knowing that you are switching things up with your new gig by making the seamless transition from junior high ministry to young adult ministry, I thought I would give you some things you can expect with the new job.  So here we go:

10 Insights for Transitioning from Jr. High to Young Adult Ministry.

1. Asking someone how much they’ve grown over the summer will not be a compliment.
2. It will now be much harder for you to win a game of knock-out.
3. “Would you rather poop a pine cone or a cucumber” is no longer a good small group question.
4. You will have to get your teaching videos from Sermon Spice instead of YouTube.
5. Creating a game with the goal of getting someone to throw up will now be frowned upon.
6. Your small group will not likely include “a kid who farts all the time.”
7. If you learn that someone in your small group is smoking, don’t worry about it.
8. Stop planning lock-ins and start planning picnics and potlucks.
9. You will be asked the question, “Are you a student or a leader?” more frequently.
10. Should there be a person who isn’t following the rules, please don’t tell him that you will call his mother.

I hope these help!  We miss you already and we’re praying like crazy that the Lord blesses this time of transition, the moving process, getting settled, and joining a new congregation.  Thanks for all you’ve taught me, and for all the fun we’ve had on this incredible run.  Press on!