Corporate proposal writer by day, voice teacher and choir director by night.

Harry Potter is about magic, yes, but we all know that isn't real. Neither is Narnia. But we Christians love us some Narnia. And Middle Earth. Not to mention Disney's fictional, brightly colored universe.

There are good lesesons to be learned, like loyalty, friendship, sacrificial love, and fighting against an unseen enemy, submitting to those who are older and wiser, and learning from their example. I'm sure that crafty Christian parents can find some spiritual paralells to be drawn in the books. Why not?

Youth pastors and ministry workers get a bad rap and aren't taken seriously. Whether bringing the gospel to teenagers or to 40-year-olds, the message is the same, the ministry is the same. It just wears different outfits. Youth ministry is vital to the future of the church - that is, if it's not just fun, games, and orange soda. Youth ministry is an outreach and a discipleship ministry to young men and women who will serve the Lord as adults. Train them up now.

1 Timothy 4:12: "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."

I praise God for Chris, my youth pastor as a youth, and for Ray and Dan, current and recent youth pastors in my church's ministry.