It seems just about everywhere we turn nowadays there is a month, week, day, color, or animal attributed to “raising awareness.” The Catholic Church is not apart from this as well as we have our own “awareness” events, weeks, and attributes. One of my favorite topics that the Church asks us to bring awareness to is vocations. The week of January 13-19, 2013 is dedicated for National Vocation Awareness week. To read about it more specifically click here.
Like a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, (car in Gone in 60 Seconds film) your ministry may look, sound, and run incredibly. Sometimes we’re blessed with great ministries that don’t need complete redesigns. Bible Studies, prayer nights, Life Nights, socials, Mass, and other parish ministries are filled to the brim with young people. But even that car needs an oil change and tire replacements. Make sure you and your team are doing what is necessary to maintain the longevity of the youth ministry.
Sometimes it drives me crazy to hear the words coming from people’s mouths in ministry. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been corrected by others and have learned that the words I say really do matter. They can make a difference.
As youth ministers we have to believe this especially as we read WORDS in Scripture, listen to WORDS from homilies, talks, and teachings, sing WORDS to praise songs, and finally pray WORDS aloud at Mass, Life nights, or one-on-one. Call it consistency or advocacy, I’ve found that the more we are intentional with our words the better we will be serving in God’s ministry.
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.