Tween Ministry

Just got back from the Catalyst West Conference.  It was pretty cool.  Might blog some of the many thoughts/ideas swimming around in head from the conference.

But today I want to talk about Coke.  Went to lunch in between the sessions and came across the coolest fountain Coke machine, called The Freestyle.  It allow you to choose from over 100 selections of various Coke drinks.  It was cool.  I had a Vanilla Diet Coke.  Mmmm.

But using the machine was a new experience for me.  I was unfamiliar with the new product and it took me a a little bit to figure it out.  The people in line seemed to snicker at me.  I felt a bit embarrassed that I didn’t quite know what to do.  I was out of my comfort zone and I didn’t like the feeling.  I finally got it right.  And going back for a refill was much easier because I knew what I was doing.

Over the past year I have had lots of new experiences that stretched me out of my comfort zone.  Moving to Southern California, putting my kids in a new school, starting a new job at a new church and learning to surf are just a few examples.  Each new experience was like the Coke machine.  It was at first a bit uncomfortable but then I eventually got the hang of it and adjusted.

Preteens live in a similar transitional state of being.  Everything is new to them. They haven’t quite gotten the hang of it yet.  They’re just learning and still feel insecure.  They are transitioning physically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually.

We adults forget that feeling because for the most part we are in our comfort zone.  But a major life change like moving and small things like experiencing a new Coke machine remind me what everyday life is like for a preteen.

Don’t lose sight of what it feels like to be a preteen.  If we want to effectively communicate and connect with preteens, then we have to remind ourselves what it is like to be one.