Salt Needed

Miss E, Nuff has devoted years of volunteering at an inner-city ministry on the east coast. While several churches support this outreach, the neighborhood is getting worse. Hearts are Tephlon coated and lessons slide off like eggs over easy. Miss E. Nuff is ready to turn her back on her Sodom and Gomorrah and leave.

Leaving a ministry

It's okay to leave when you can't see results. But make sure you look hard and good . You don't want to be turned into the Morton Salt Girl by looking back on a city after you left, realizing you were the salt they desperately need.

Real growth takes longer than a Chia Pet.

If kids keep showing up, you're doing something right. Still, you want them to have a deeper meaning of Jesus than "He died on the cross so we can shoot hoops on Thursdays." The Trick? Make students crave growth as well:

• Apply verses to their lives and situations
• View problems as stepping stones to get closer to Christ
• Find out what they crave out of life (goals, dreams)

Urban youth ministry is a tough calling.

If you want something easy, join the marines. You have touched more lives than they'll ever let you know.