Coop is one of those 72, Amy is one of those 9. Praying for those students and the homes they left today. Praying for those volunteers.

Anyone care to discuss? I’m not sure who is running the ad campaign at Dove or making the decisions to run these kinds of ads… but sign me up as a fan. Yes, it is raw and unnerving but so is the message that this industry and our culture as a whole is sending to young girls. Finally, a company with huge resources that stands up and says – no more.

“Holy cow, man. How did we miss this? Today is See You At The Pole?”

Cooper: “Yeah…I guess it is.”

We just sat there for a moment and then Coop said, “Should I go to that instead of my club meeting?”

“Do what you think God is telling you to do.”

“I’m going on to my club meeting.”

“Great choice.”

I then hugged him & kissed him and told him to make wise choices in a loud voice.

Okay – I didn’t do that last line. Would never do that.

But as far as choices go, Cooper made a great one right then and there. Go to a club meeting with other students where the vast majority do NOT know Jesus and be the church with them? Or withdraw around a pole to pray for the school then never engage in NON-believing relationship the rest of the year?

I’m not anti-SYATP. I just don’t want to hear how it’s one of the most important things a student or a student pastor can do on a middle school or high school campus. It’s not. It’s not even in the top 200. And what started out as a cool tool to connect other student believers at the beginning of the school year, has morphed into a combative standoff with school administrations in some cities. Isn’t that the exact OPPOSITE of what we’re supposed to be doing?

If we really want to see God change a campus, join a club or a team and start being the Church in that context. SYIOCISIJN is what we need… See You Involved On Campus In Something In Jesus’ Name. And it needs to be all year long as we teach and coach students how to church in their school, how to be a person of blessing in Jesus’ name on their team, in the classrooms, with their friends.

Except I didn’t write it. A guy named Scott did and it’s right here.

Here’s a highlight –

Keys to Making Your Kids Apathetic About Faith

1) Put academic pursuits above faith-building activities. Encourage your child to put everything else aside for academic gain. Afterall, when they are 24 and not interested in faith and following Christ, you’ll still be thrilled that they got an A in pre-calculus, right? Instead of teaching them balance, teach them that all else comes second to academics. Quick … who graduated in the top 5 of your high school class? Unless you were one of them, I bet you have no idea. I don’t.

2) Chase the gold ball first and foremost. Afterall, your child is a star. Drive 400 miles so your child can play hockey but refuse to take them to a home group bible study because it’s 20 minutes away.

How does the former youth pastor/present lead pastor come alongside the youth ministry without becoming a distraction?

I loved it when the lead pastor poked his head in on the students – whether that be during Bible study or a mid-week life group or a trip. I loved it because we can never have too many godly adults hanging around teenagers. I loved it because it hopefully connected the student to the larger church congregation, not just the youth group.

But I hear what Kurt is saying. And it’s a legitimate question.

My short answer – don’t show up on the trip as a former youth pastor or the current lead pastor. Show up as a volunteer, like everybody else.

This past week I went with our middle schoolers to Super Summer. Gina was the leader of the trip and she did an outstanding job. She was organized, she delegated responsibilities out to the team that went, me included. She kept us on task without being overbearing. She kept us informed and did a great job in our church group times.

And I loved every minute of it. First, it always amps me to see a volunteer lead, to take ownership of a ministry and lead it well. That volunteer is getting to use their gifts and hopefully casting a vision for others to do the same.

Second, it freed me up. I could be a friend, a pastor to the students. I wasn’t the heavy, I wasn’t the organizer, I didn’t have to be cool or “on” all the time. I didn’t have to have all the answers. I hung out with my guys, was available to counsel and talk when needed. In short, did all the things a volunteer would do.

A student can never have too many adults that love Jesus in their life. Never. And when I go on these trips, I want to be a help to the youth team and leaders, not a distraction. I also want that student to connect to the larger congregation as well.

Kurt – you are now in this position — what’s your take? Or anyone else for that matter…