Autumn has arrived. There is a change in the weather. School is back in. Binders have been on sale for weeks. And people are flooding back to high school … youth ministers included!

What's that? Youth ministers at a public high school! Seems strange, I know. The assumption is that schools are off limits when it comes to youth ministers. We remember disconcerting news reports of schools not allowing Christian clubs. Prayer was removed a long time ago and most teachers are loathe to speak anything that might resemble a statement of religious faith. Everybody's been walking on eggshells and it's now taken for granted that there's a spiritual no-fly-zone over all public high schools.

But this is not the case. Some schools encourage youth ministers to be a part of their community and those ministers are doing important, effective and God-honouring ministry. We enjoy such a relationship in our community, and I would encourage similar relationships between your youth ministry and the area high school.

There are many great reasons for creating such a link. If you want to really relate to kids and know what they're going through, it helps to be a visible presence on their turf. Secondly, it widens everyone's perspective. When we're cooped up in the church all the time, youth ministers often only see "church kids" (typically well behaved, respectful, etc.). At school we get to see, know and care for kids who need the hope, encouragement and love of Christ the most - kids at the smoking pit, or the school bully, or the overstressed teenage mom. Similarly, without our caring presence, many kids will not challenge the unflattering stereotypes of religious people that are so prevalent. If we are present, and being helpful and caring, kids will begin gaining a greater appreciation for the role of religion in society. Thirdly, the high schools need the help. Dances always need chaperones. Teams always need coaches. Guidance departments have been cut back so much, they seldom offer personal guidance apart from filling out college applications. It is helpful to have trusted, nominally trained and dedicated youth ministers around so that kids can actually talk to someone when they get dumped by their girlfriend or boyfriend, or they fail an important exam, or their parents get a divorce, to cite just a few reasons.

Fostering a relationship between your youth ministry and the local high school can be a daunting task. In some cases there is a bad history. Administrators do not always see the advantages of having youth ministers around. If, however, God creates a path for you to have a good relationship with a school, I encourage you to take it. Both the school and church will be better for it.