security… Security… SECURITY!!

For the last week of my FTE research I loaned myself out to the Event Staff of the Western States Youth Gathering in Anaheim, CA. The Safety and Security folk scooped me up and so I’ve been working with them. I’ve never done “security” before, and it’s been pretty interesting. Because it means I have a precarious relationship with the youth. In their minds, for all practical purposes, I’m the bad guy. I hate being the ‘bad guy’…

What does my job entail? Patrolling the events/workshops for good behavior. Helping in the case of an emergency, particularly medical emergencies. And making sure kids keep curfew and are where they’re supposed to be. Now, I did not realize that the job would entail making sure kids didn’t fight in line at the Dance Dance Revolution arcade or that I’d have to be “that” adult at the dance that kept kids from grinding a little too closely. I also had to kick random hotel guests out of our rooms because they were trying to get friendly with our girls…

I didn’t want to be too strict, because that’s just really not me. I mean, I will let you know what needs-be-- no doubt-- but I don't want to be hypocritical. I don't find lots of things to be too damaging or harmful to kids. But, I also needed to do my job and make sure everyone followed the rules. Which meant that for the most part, the kids responded well to my proddings. As I was doing my rounds after hours last night, I ran into LOTS of kids partying outside in the hallways. I had empathy for them—I was right there when I was in high school… But, I just asked them to keep it down and to get to their rooms, where they could stay up as long as they wanted for all I cared. I said I knew they just wanted to hang out because they weren’t tired yet, but I just honestly said, “Hey, I’m just doing my job. Don’t make this difficult for me. I’m not gonna go find your youth directors, just get to your rooms and you can hang out all day tomorrow when the Gathering goes to the beach.” And surprisingly, (actually, not so surprisingly) they listened. One girl whined, “Ugh! You’re being so nice about it! So now I feel guilty… And I still like you even… “ haha… That made me feel good. Like I said, I want them to be where they’re supposed to be, but I don’t wanna be the bad guy—though I will be if necessary! (Which I was a couple of times with lurking guys who kept creepin on my high school girls!!)

I guess this just goes back to what everyone this summer has said about effective youth ministry—that young people really do appreciate boundaries. Tough love is quite effective. And taking the time to listen to them, even if the end result is still you telling them to move their butt, goes far in their minds. They might even still like you when it’s all said and done! :o)