Temper is a funny word.
tem·per[tem-per]  - noun
1.a particular state of mind or feelings.
2.habit of mind, especially with respect toirritability or patience, outbursts of anger, orthe like; disposition: an even temper.
3.heat of mind or passion, shown in outburstsof anger, resentment, etc.
4.calm disposition or state of mind: to be outof temper.
5.a substance added to something to modify its properties or qualities.
6.Metall.
1. the degree of hardness and strengthimparted to a metal, as by quenching,heat treatment, or cold working.
2. the percentage of carbon in tool steel.
3. the operation of tempering.
7. Archaic.  a middle course; compromise.
8. Obs.  the constitution or character of asubstance.
- verb (used with object)
9. to moderate or mitigate: to temper justice with mercy.
10.to soften or tone down.
11.to bring to a proper, suitable, or desirablestate by or as by blending or admixture.
12.to moisten, mix, and work up into properconsistency, as clay or mortar.
13.Metall.  to impart strength or toughness to(steel or cast iron) by heating and cooling.
14.to produce internal stresses in (glass) bysudden cooling from low red heat;toughen.
15.to tune (a keyboard instrument, as a piano,organ, or harpsichord) so as to make the tones available in different keys ortonalities.
16.to modify (color) by mixing with a medium.
17.Archaic.  to combine or blend in dueproportions.
18.Archaic.  to pacify.
- verb (used without object)
19.to be or become tempered.
Looking at 3 and 4 they seem like total opposites. It's a word that describes the way I am feeling though.

There are many things in life I understand waaaaaaaay better than youth ministry. For example, I am in charge of about a half a million dollars worth of technical equipment that's used to run a multi million dollar business. I am trusted and even respected as to my opinion in all matters regarding it, improvements on it, or replacing of it. I get paid well for knowing this rather useless stuff.

I am the proud dad of 9 amazing kids. They continually amaze me with the maturity and love they show.

I am a soccer coach of 14 terrific kids. They are all respectful and obedient (for the most part).

And then, I am a youth guy at a church with very few youth from actual church members. I have been trying to treat them like adults and give them the benefit of the doubt on many issues. Trying to be something that they don't get in the world...But, they just continue to try to be disruptive and disrespectful.

So, what does this have to do with temper? Several things:
-Need to temper (#9) how kids are behaving. I need to temper their attitude.
-I'll need to exhibit a cool temper (#4) yet still let them know how serious this is.
-Need to temper (#10) my attitude and angst toward what I have no worldly authority. Ultimately, the kids are the Lord's and I need to remember that their souls are what's important.
-Maintain my temper (#3) especially in areas where I do have authority and not let this particular role rule my thoughts across all my other roles.
-Eliminate my tempering (#18) of the youth...

I need to temper my attitude and temper the action of the kids without losing my temper.