I came across this funny but sad cartoon from ASBO Jesus last week.

It’s funny because of the extreme ways the vicar is trying to subdue the youthworkers! I’ve been that youthworker and can recognise the overly-enthuiastic trait that needs tempering with some practical sense!

But it’s sad because unfortunately, it’s true. I know of so many people who feel like they’ve been burned out by the churches (or organisations) that they serve. Luckily this has not been my own experience but I can understand the pain and frustration that comes from misunderstandings about the nature and purpose of youth work.