A friend of mine once tweeted, “If family is my number one ministry then family vacations are my most important ministry trips.”

I loved that tweet and I couldn’t agree with it more.

My family is my most important ministry.

My ministry as a pastor will not last forever.

There will be other ministry roles.

At some point my ministry career will end.

But I only get one family.

My wife and kids are truly the greatest gift I’ve ever been given.

As a youth pastor to a generation of students that have grown up in broken homes the word family doesn’t always bring to mind warm feelings.

The health and strength of my marriage preaches a better sermon than my latest and greatest attempt on a Wednesday night.

The love, care, and stability I demonstrate for my family is more powerful than words.

The way I play and interact with my kids is being observed by the students in our youth ministry.

I pray that our students that have grown up in broken homes can end that cycle when they get married and have kids of their own.

I hope I can pass on to them the value of being a present, involved, loving husband and father.

Yes, family is important business.

It’s my number one ministry.

I love our “business” trips together.