2. Be a Paul, Find a Timothy. Pour yourself into a handful of people in whom you can invest your knowledge. They might be students; they might be volunteers. These are good choices. but there might be even better choices: How about 20-something, paid, youth workers who need your discernment and experience? Pour yourself into them and it will bring about high dividends.

3. Discover a Barnabas. I meet weekly with two men close to my age who are also in ministry. We're accountable to and pray for each other, but the majority of our time is spent doing what Barnabas did for Paul—encouraging. (Barnabas means "son of encouragement.") We not only focus on going deeper spiritually but also talk about our marriages, our kids, school, ministry, why pro-basketball players make so much money and our golf games!

4. Don't Try to Be God. The need to fix people's problems and hurts is a sign of youthfulness, according to Steve Bradley: "Now I believe the Holy Spirit is the Comforter and Helper, not me. That doesn't mean I don't care, because I do; but I must get out of the way and let the Spirit have His way."

5. Define and Reframe It. If It means hanging out with kids 24-7, you're right—you can't do it. If It means changing the focus of your ministry, you can do it. You can change your season and style of ministry. It may mean going from program-driven to discipleship-intensive ministry, from Lone Rangerism to more delegation, from peer groups to family-based models. Consider your options. Richie has moved from a "buddy" model of ministry to "shepherd" model; Rick has slowed his drivenness and focused more on training adults; Suzie has chosen to delegate; Seth has left parachurch ministry to do youth ministry consultation; Archie is moving from a megachurch to start a nonprofit ministry doing youth missions. Define and reframe It.

6. Be a Proactive Learner. Stephen Covey speaks of being a "lifelong learner." As American youth workers get grayer, they need to listen and learn—and look for those opportunities. That's what mature leadership is all about. Read, ask questions, engage people in dialogue. Too many youth workers never read. Start small—but start soon.

7. KISS (Keep It Simple Sweetheart). Love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. Do a prayer retreat. Get silent before God. Take communion. As Gordon McDonald's best-seller indicates, order your private world.

8. Don't Believe the Lie. Former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir once said, "Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you're aboard, there's nothing you can do." She's wrong; that statement's not true. Many youth leaders have bought into the lie that you have to be young to be fruitful and effective. Nothing could be further from the truth. Tell that to Chuck Swindoll, Elizabeth Elliot, Bill Bright, Billy Graham. Tell that to yourself! There is something you can do. Keep on keeping on. Working with students is not wasting your life.