Too much, too fast...

Anyone who knows me is all too familiar with my aversion to change. I'm Lutheran, I'm German (ish) and I am stubborn. I like things the way they are and if it's not broke don't fix it!

Today, the weather changed. Yesterday was winter, today was spring. It was too warm for January and I didn't like it. It's winter. It's supposed to be cold.

Today, Facebook changed. There was nothing wrong with the old profile (in fact there was nothing wrong with the old profile seven old profiles ago). I don't like the new one. It's lame. I miss the old one.

Today, my astrological sign changed. I've never bought in to the whole astrology thing. I mean, sometimes it's fun to read the horoscopes at the end of the day to see how wrong they were. But there is something to be said for the fact that I am (or was until they discovered this 'new sign') a Taurus. Aside from the fact that Taurus is a bull and bulls are stubborn, my sign means very little to me, but just for kicks I looked up on line what the traits of a Taurus were and the first thing that came up was "Change-Avoidant and Stubborn" well...okay, that's true.."Decadent and Self-Indulgent"...guilty...and finally "A Talent for Arts and Crafts" and it just got weird.

I lost where I was going with this, because it's getting to be past my bedtime, but in short...change is bad.

"what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Well first of all...I don't want to grow up. So that's simple. I specifically chose a career which would be severely hindered by my 'growing up'. In order to work with youth, I need to remain young...
When I was in college and I finally declared a major (religious studies) I spent a great deal of time thinking about what I could do with that major. Spending summers helping out at my home church, and later, working at camps...I really found a passion for working with kids and teenagers. I enjoy spending time with them and teaching them about the Bible and 'that Jesus guy'. I really like my job.
Except...
There is one question that every youth director in the history of youth directors gets asked, and last night it was my turn. In fact, when rating yourself on the Jon Acuff scale of youth-tastic-ness* being asked this question is worth 10 points of youth-tastic-isity. The question is:
"Are you ever going to become a real pastor?"
Because I work in the fantasy world of Never-neverland...well, I guess I kind of do since I refuse to grow up anyway. But my job is very real, and very important.
About a year ago I was at a youth worker's extravaganza and I sat down and had a beer with one of my former youth directors who is currently a "real pastor" in Wisconsin, or Minnesota or one of those Lutheran-y states in the middle of the country. He told me that he used to get asked this question alot. His response was "I'm already a real pastor". He hadn't yet been through seminary. He wasn't allowed to consecrate the elements, and with his blue goatee, I doubt our pastor ever let him actually get up in front of the congregation and preach...but doing ministry, even if it is with youth, is a real job. Providing pastoral care for teenagers is a real thing. No, I haven't been through seminary, and right now I am not feeling any call towards ordination...but my job is very real, and really important.
Right now I am very happy in youth ministry, and while I have thought about getting my masters in Youth and Family Ministry...I have no future plans to become a "real pastor"...it's not my choice anyway

*oh...and beeteedubs-I got a 78!