Working in a paid youth ministry position for 8 years apparently makes me a “young veteran.” I recently started working at a new parish and as I reflect on my first 30 days there, I realize that much of the work I am doing has not changed with the new location. While there are differences in personal and procedure, there are a lot of universal truths to parish life.

Whether you’re a new youth minister in a parish or an older youth minister in a new parish, I hope that my “Top 20″ (in no particular order) rings true and helps your ministry:

1. Trust in God. Moving to a new parish or new city is never easy but by doing so I’ve learned to trust more in what God has in store.
2. Prayer keeps me grounded and sustained. During the initial 12-hour days (not that those days ever go away), I’ve found prayer to be the only thing that keeps me focused during the long hours of not knowing where to begin.
3. Get to know the climate before even going to work at the parish. Talk to a few teens & Core, read evaluations, read the bulletin, sneak in for a Sunday Mass.
4. Every parish is uniquely different. Don’t expect things to run the same way you did it at your old parish.
5. Every parish has more similarities than differences. Although each parish is unique, the same personalities are present. Utilize the passion of the old lady who has been there since the church was built, the overly ambitious volunteer, and the family that is always at daily Mass.
6. Safeguarding Gods Children/VIRTUS is always of value and not just a check-off item.
7. Organization plays a key role while establishing ministry. It’s easy to get overwhelmed but coming up with a simple “To Do” daily list and a cleaning out of old files will go a long way.
8. People are willing to help, just ask (or look desperate). Only kidding about the desperate, people want to jump on board with someone who knows their end goal.
9. Local food joints are the best. By frequenting them you may have some donors who’d want to donate to the Edge or Life Nights!
10. People only have to learn one name; you have to learn hundreds! This might be the hardest thing to do, but it goes miles in establishing relationships. At the end of the day, write down the names of the people you met in a journal. You’ll remember their faces the next time you see them.
11. Survey people about local culture, events, etc before programming. My first mistake was scheduling a lock-in the night of three local high schools homecoming games. Bummer.
12. Go to Diocesan meetings. Here you will meet some of the people who are most committed to youth ministry. This is prime-time networking. You’ll also get to know the special events, dates, and requirements for that Diocese.
13. Necessary changes are easier to make in the beginning. Take the time to get to know the history and dynamics of a parish before doing a massive overhaul. But once you’ve gathered enough background information, make the changes that the Holy Spirit is calling you to make.
14. Communication is key! Don’t just use the bulletin to introduce yourself. Go to the Masses, send emails, and stop by the various ministries meetings.
15. Make friends with the Janitor. Enough said.
16. Make even better friends with the front office secretary. She’ll see more faces and talk to more people than anyone. To many parishioners, she represents Edge and Life Teen in your parish.
17. If there is one, ask early about the budget for youth ministry. This will help you establish what is possible and realistic in your planning and programming.
18. If there is no set budget for youth ministry, help create one. This will help the parish see the long-term vision that you have for ministry in that parish.
19. Accurate and up-to-date databases are vital to any and every ministry. Need I say more?
20. Repeat information often. Don’t assume that because you made one announcement at all the Masses one weekend and had it in the bulletin that everyone will be aware of the changes.