Is “customer service” part of your youth ministry? It is – whether you realize it or not. And if you haven’t thought about it until just now – you may be giving people a reason to dislike even your best efforts.

Take my very recent, secular example of poor (or at least weird) customer service and see if it can apply to you…

I checked into a major hotel chain – one that I stay in often when I travel. On this particular day, I walked in to an empty lobby with no one in sight. Usually, the front desk person is in the back but somehow knows when someone is standing at the counter. (They must have a sensor, or buzzer, or a camera or something, right? Otherwise, how would they know to come out all the time?) After an entire minute, I called out “hello?” and a non-smiling woman walked out. She said with no emotion (and I quote) “welcome to my motel.” She then proceeded to question my discount credentials, take a long look at my ID, and just acted bizarre. Not completely rude – but weird. And she seemed annoyed that I had intruded into her work time.

It wasn’t until I got to my room that I realized that she had given me an amazing room. It was super cool.. an elevated hot tub, giant tv, super comfy and spacious. Clearly a room that I didn’t pay for.

But she never told me that. She didn’t even act like she liked me.

As a result, I arrived at my super cool room, but was still irritated by my front desk experience. It was really, really hard to appreciate the great thing I had just received.

Do you do that in your church? You’re giving out the good news of Jesus, and all the blessings of life in Christ. But do you act like it’s “your motel”? Like you’re busy, and can’t be bothered, like you’re not excited to see each person when they walk in the door? Like you’re skeptical of their credentials?

When we do those things – we make it hard for people to receive the amazing gift that right’s in front of them.

Although we won’t be at every city in America (a daunting task, that’s for sure), we will be in about a dozen places over the next few weeks, hosting wings lunches and coffee breakfasts, where youth leaders can meet, eat, share, and get encouragement from others. (And the lunches are mostly at Buffalo Wild Wings… always a popular youth ministry spot.

What cities? Denver, Dubuque, Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland / Akron, West Palm Beach / Orlando, Nashville, Manassas VA, Boston / Nashua NH, Lynchburg VA, and more…

Too many details to list here, but if you’d like info on a particular city, email me (trowe@group.com) or Jeff (jthompson@group.com)

Any youthworkers want to grab Friendly’s ice cream somewhere around Boston / burbs? I’ve got a free night. Call or text 9704925367. My treat…

Well, we’re going to see who actually reads this blog in Columbus, OH. I’m here – like right now – in the sweltering heat, wondering if there’s a youth leader around who would like to grab a frozen coffee drink somewhere. Anyone? Send me a text or call… 970-492-5367.

See… Jeff posts a lot of stuff. I go out and buy you a beverage. Who’s more relevant now?

SYMC is a wrap. A couple people asked about our sample timeline for big event fundraising stuff. Here it is. My usually witty commentary, and simultaneous harassing of Andy, will have to wait for tonight. I am beat.

Sample Schedule:

Fall Event — Yard Clean up for church and others

Sports stadium venue (running concessions)

2 Christmas events (Parents Night Out, and a vendor-based Christmas bazaar)

January missions appeal to the congregation, including direct support letters

Valentines night out

Sports stadium venue

Pre-selling bags of mulch, and/or installing it

Spring Auction

Andy Brazelton – nice guy with a violent streak. We’re yakking it up in the SYMC conference hotel, being all nicy nicy. Then he throws ice on my lap. I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he did missions in a culture where that was considered a social greeting.

We launched 1byyouth at this conference, and the buzz is so unbelievable that we’re awestruck at the craving for this kind of thing in cities all across the country. And not just the huge cities. Everything from New York City to Lancaster, PA to Plymouth, WI and everywhere else.

So if you’re reading this (and I know that Andy is), then know that we’re working hard at coming to your town as soon as you’ll have us. Contact Tim ( tkurth@group.com) if you’d like to have one at your town.

And I ate my first vanilla tart today. It tasted like something I’d prefer not to eat again. Someone told me it’s made out of beans. Is that true? A dessert made from beans? Disgusting. Why not just serve a bowl full of lettuce flavored ice cream?

It’s after midnight, and I’m all tucked in at the Doubletree in Chicago at SYMC, along with Tim Kurth in the bed next to me. (As compared to ‘next to me in bed’ – which he is not. ) He has taken a break from wearing flannel for the night. You can all rest knowing that Tim “FlanMan” Kurth is off to a good night’s sleep.

Awesome day – tons of new and familiar faces. Great conversations, and lots of fun . Given away tons of shirts, foam planes, VW Workcamp minibuses, buttons, and other paraphernalia. I may have even spelled that word right.

My big takeaway from today, missions-wise is that mission trips are just tons of work. I mean – it’s good, valuable, life-changing work. But it’s work. Lots. And youth people aren’t the best at asking for help, so we internalize the stress and play the part of the hero – determined to succeed even if it nearly kills us.

So hey – just ask for help. From God, from people around you, friends, co-workers in ministry, organizations, experts, whatever…

It’s okay. It’s good. Good night.