10. Lego Logan

He is your super sweet new 6th grader, that still plays with “toys.” If you ask him, he will show you his pocket full of legos.  You might even catch a couple of his friends discussing their latest creations. The problem is he has no clue on deeper spiritual things because his parents have babied him for so long in every way.

9. GI Joe Joe

Joe comes in full camo even on Sunday morning. He even owns a camo tie. He is the first one to sign up for paintball and will probably the first one to sign up for the army. He occasionally will give you a “HOHA!” after a correct answer. You say “Onward Christian Soldiers,” and he is the combat crawling out the door.

8. Ball Boy Billy

He is your sports guy…every sport ever invented. If it involves a ball, he is in it to win it. The problem is dad thinks he is going to go pro by 9th grade. Not sure what sport, but he will be drafted directly out of middle school, so that means he is not at church often. He is at practice, clinics, games and traveling teams. His parents’ just took out a second mortgage to pay for all of it, but Billy is really the one paying for it in the end.

7. Corner Connor

Connor comes in and finds the farthest, darkest corner and sits down. He is not a problem because it is almost like he is not there. He, in some ways, really isn’t. He sits and soaks in silence. No one knows who he is, what he is thinking, and what do with him.

6. Preacher Boy Paul

Born, Bred, and Bible fed y’all. With his 110-pound study Bible, freshly pressed pants and tie he is ready to go. First one with the verse, and his hand up with the answer. He has memorize the book of Lamentations for fun. He knows the answer to the questions, but doesn’t know what it means. He just told you his plans for seminary and he hasn’t even completed 7th grade.

5. ADD Alan

Which one will show up tonight–Alan with drugs or Alan without drugs? He is the kids that actually does chase squirrels..literally! On drugs he will sit and drool, off drugs he is hanging from the rafter…once again literally. He is the reason your trustees want to do away with the exposed beam industrial look in the youth building.

4. Rocker Rocky

Please no piercing during youth group!  Your Mohawk must be short enough to fit in the door. If you are wearing leather pants with studs you can not play the game tonight….and many other rules were made because of Rocky.  He may not get it all, but Rocky loves to worship and plays a mean electric guitar in the praise band.

3. Christian School Chris 

Chris spends some time on and off with Preacher Boy Paul. Like Paul, Chris knows the answers and has the knowledge, but is not as willing to share it. He has ‘heard it all” and “knows it all,” but could honestly care less. He comes every other week or so, because even his parents feel he gets enough God all day at school.

2. Clowning Carl

The life of the party, Carl is absolutely hilarious. You love him to death…when you are not teaching. Big personality and big love for Jesus to, just gets a little lost in being popular, fun and everyone’s friends.

1. Questioning Quinton

Quinton always has a question and wants to know and challenge everything. He grew up in a good Christian home, but now wants to really know if what he believes is true. He may drive you nuts, but in the end he is willing and open to learn.  On top of everything else, he wants to live his faith out and wants others to too. He is either going to be an outstanding witness in this high school and college years or he will walk away completly from church frustrated.

DAN ISTVANIK is the 5th to 8th grade pastor at Victory Church in Lancaster, PA. He has been working in youth ministry for over 20 years serving churches in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Virginia. Besides serving in the local church setting he is also the youth ministry content writer for Parent Ministry.Net, along with being a contributor to a variety of other great youth ministry resources like Youthworker Journal, Group Magazine, Download Youth Ministry, and more. Additional he shares daily Jr. high/middle school ministry specific resources, and hints  on his own blog “The JH Uth Guy” at: JRHIGHUTHGUY.BLOGSPOT.COM

This post was previously published by jrhighuthguy.blogspot.com.