I just finished reading two magazine articles: "Piercings—The Ouch Factor" and "371 Ways to Look Hot This Spring." I'm still trying to figure out how to look hot with my receding hairline.

Years ago I resigned my senior pastorate to become a youth pastor. Worries about boards and budgets were replaced with Sunday school, junior high lock-ins (don't try this one), cliques, peer pressure, break-ups, make-ups, supportive parents, irate parents, and explaining why the church van looked like we'd just come back from Afghanistan.

Fifteen years later, I've returned to the senior pastorate. But those years in youth ministry changed me. I am now convinced that a church that cares for teens wins the hearts of the community. I don't know if I'll ever be a "normal" pastor again.

Staying hip, er, cool

Ministry tools should come with an expiration date: Caution, this can lose potency if used after a certain date. Kids change. Keeping up-to-date ...