Things start winding down for me at Youthworks College at this time of year.  Classes are complete, exams are finished, and though there's some marking left to do we're gradually cleaning up and packing up and getting ready for holidays.  I suspect it's true for a lot of others as well. 

As Summer's approaches it's a signal to slow down and enjoy a break over Christmas and New Year before we start again later in January.

If that's you, then please spare a thought for your local children's minister or youth minister.

For those who work in children's or youth ministry December-January doesn't spell 'holiday'.  On the contrary, for many they are heading into the busiest time of their year.

There are the Christmas events to arrange - Primary School assemblies, High School SRE seminars, organising the children's choir for carols and the family church service on Christmas Eve (which may well involve working out how to locate a camel or sheep in suburban Sydney!)

There are summer camps to organise - post-HSC schoolies camps, summer leadership training programs, Beach mission teams to coordinate, school holiday camps and kids' club programs to arrange.

It's the time for transitioning between the various children's ministry and youth ministry programs.  We all know of the need to 'plug the gaps' as children move into high school, as junior high students move into their senior years, and as school leavers embark on university, TAFE or working life.  The change-over in the school year isn't time for a holiday; it's all hands on deck.

Then there's sorting out your leadership team for the new year.  Who's continuing and who's stepping down?  How many new Scripture teachers, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, small group leaders will we need?  How many of them haven't done Safe Ministry training yet?  What happens when the university placements come out and some of your key leaders get a uni place in Canberra?  Or when the uni graduates get a job in Dubbo or Dubai?

If you're like me and you're thankful for the chance to wind down over summer, please spare a thought for your local church children's minister and youth minister. 

Give them a smile.  Ask them what you could pray for.  Say thankyou.  Offer to lend a hand. 

I'm sure they'd appreciate it.