Ok. Admit it. You’ve used it. You know you have, but perhaps you don’t know to what extent. Perhaps you don’t realize that it’s the one word you use to describe every youth ministry activity that you’ve planned. For some reason, the word “awesome” is always on the tip of your tongue.
At some point (probably in conjunction with “that one song”) it infiltrated the world of youth ministry and to this point, it has never left. “Rad” couldn’t survive. “Dope” just got too confusing. And you couldn’t describe everything as being “all that and a bag of chips.” (Especially if your budget only allows for a bag of chips). So, “awesome” has been the “Chosen Word” and it’s time to admit that we have a problem.
Let me be the first.
My name is Eric Porteous, and I use the word “awesome” a lot. As a youth minister it seemed as if every time I stood up to make an announcement at Mass or at youth group, I used the word “awesome.” Deep down in my heart I felt like there just wasn’t any other word that would satisfy. It got so bad that teens started keeping a count and reporting back to me how many times I said it in a given night; but it started innocently enough.
The first time sounded something like this:
“Hey teens. We have a retreat coming up in a month, and it’s gonna be awesome.”
And then it progressed:
“We’ve got an awesome retreat in a couple weeks, and we’re gonna have an awesome time. We hope you can make it.”
But, much like any addiction, it eventually got out of control:
“Tonight is going to be awesome! We’ve got an awesome guest speaker, and we’re going to have some awesome food. Plus, don’t forget about the awesome Mission Trip we have coming up this summer. It’s going to be . . . well . . . awesome.”
So, I admit it. I have a problem. I am an awesome-aholic, and honestly, I’m ok with that. I don’t need a 12-step program. I just want teens to know that any Youth Ministry event they come to will be . . . cooler than the other side of the pillow.
Question: What’s your favorite word to use when describing a Youth Ministry event?
Amazing and awesome are at the top of my list!
That’s great! I’m thinking about a follow-up post with the words “amazing” and “phenomenal.”
I say “just” a lot in prayer. It has gotten to the point that my pastor has started to make fun of me! I do not not why but I just do it!
Thomas, I think “just” may be the most commonly used word during prayer.
I think that is true…however, this last week I made sure I listened to my opening prayer carefully…..I subconsciously counted 10 “just” in a prayer that lasted 30 seconds….that can’t be a great ratio.
Ok…I stand corrected. You may have a problem…
“You rock”
Ha ha. My favorite saying I LOVE telling my teens about any retreat or story or example I give them is…ha ha.
I tell them it’s like camping. It’s INTENSE – (in tents) Bahahaha. They love it. Well, I love it. They tolerate it, I think. Hee hee.
God bless.
Brenda
Brenda, I love it! Have you ever had a teen come up and ask you if they need to bring a tent to the next retreat? That would be…awesome!
My word of choice is “EPIC.” example: “The lock-in is going to be EPIC!”
“Sweat deal” is my go-to
I would say I don’t have a problem, but most of my youth would disagree. I say “awesome, fantastic, and amazing.” It’s a tough addiction to break. I’m glad you opened up this topic. Its been a tough road. ^.^
Katie, That’s great. Perhaps we should start our own therapy group, complete with 12-step program.
Sadly, I use the word “dude” way too frequently…
Amazing and awesome
usually when describing the ministry activities. Its funny i just realized. In January we recorded our first ministry promotional video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZiJyqQkSCM&feature=share you can see how even my teens use these words. Everything is amazing, the video is full of amazing, amazing 
Haha! That is amazing! Thanks for sharing your video!
I have to admit I say “legit” a lot.
I find myself saying “that’s awesome” after people talk when I don’t know what else to say.
When I first met my girlfriend’s parents, I used “that’s fantastic” after almost everything they said. It got to the point that my girlfriend would say things were fantastic for weeks down the road because laughing at me the night of wasn’t sufficient.
I have used awesome before too when I’m trying to sound excited. Lately everything is “ridiculous,” in a good way
I’ve been known to use epic or dope too. Part of it isn’t my fault really. They make fun of me but when you hang out with them long enough you start to sound like them! I realized this last week as I was bumping Lecrae while picking up my grade school kids in the drop off line and everyone stared at me when my van doors slid open. Monkey see, monkey do.
Actually if I was picking them up, I suppose it would be the pick up line. lol
Bernadette, for lack of a better term, that is awesome!
I say “It is going to be AWE-some!!!!” and “that’s legit” and a new one that the teens decided I needed in my vocabulary to mix it up is “shazam”.
Lindsey, I think “Shazam” is a great one. In fact, I’d like to see it duke it out with “Awesome” and become the new go-to word for Youth Ministers.
I use Awesome, Sic, and LEGIT! Everything we do no matter what it is can be deemed LEGIT!
My pastor noticed that I used “it was solid!” to describe anything that already happened.
I think “yolo” needs to be used more to give it a positive, healthy spin.
[...] phrase that they repeat over and over and over again. (You can read more about this phenomenon here.) During one Life Night, have the whole youth group stand up and salute every time he or she uses [...]
[...] So this one goes out to all of you donation enablers, hoarder wannabes, and garage cleaners that we call youth ministers: keep doing what you are doing. Because of you the head of the knitting club feels involved, an elderly couple was able to support the youth program, and that piano – well you actually found someone to fix it up. Your closets may be cluttered, but allowing someone to donate is a great way to make them feel a part of youth ministry – and that is awesome. [...]