The word supper often evokes images of Jesus breaking bread with the Apostles (especially when you put the word “last” in front of it), but today I’d like to reframe “supper” in a new context.
A few days ago the mother of a teen at my parish invited me to have dinner with their family. Being a single young man from a big family, I miss shared mealtime, so I accepted. When Wednesday evening came, I was exhausted from a long workday, but I went anyway.
It was wonderful.
Obedience to God is one thing (sometimes difficult, but understandable); obedience to others is a whole different story. When it comes to submitting to other people we struggle. God is perfect; we are not. Yet, I think our discomfort with submission comes more from feeling like we are giving up control rather than a desire to actually do the disobedient or contrary actions. We want to be in charge of our world; when we are a called to function under authority, we think we are losing our freedom.
If you’ve been in youth ministry long enough, chances are you’ve been to a conference in which multiple speakers listed off books that “all youth ministers must read.” Most of these are very great spiritual books that lead us to be holier people so we can lead others to deeper holiness. But let me recommend to you three unconventional books that can still make a huge impact on you personally and in your ministry.
Have you ever stopped and thought about how difficult it is for a new teen to show up at your parish, perhaps knowing only one or two teens, or no one at all? I have often thought about how awkward it is for me to approach the new teen, and rarely did I realize how important that first encounter was for them.
Last week, one of my favorite ministry opportunities started once again – Friday Night Football. I don’t know what it is about Friday Night Football that I like so much; I’m not even a major sports fan, but there’s something about it! As I stood on the sidelines watching the game, I had a unique perspective.
One of the most common complaints I have heard from Youth Ministers over the years goes something like this, “I really love ministry, but I’m struggling with the rest of the parish staff.” If you’ve been in Youth Ministry long enough, there’s a good chance you’ve had some difficulty with other parish staff members. While some may be supportive, others may not get why you are “never in your office,” or maybe they don’t see the transformational power of shaving cream, duck tape, and red vines. Regardless of the conflict, relationships among parish staff members can be improved.
I love NFL football. I love the drama, the intensity, and the way every single game matters to the outcome of the season. Next to the Packers, my favorite thing about the NFL season is fantasy football. As I sat making my picks for my first draft the other day, I realized that building a quality youth ministry Core Team can be a lot like building the perfect fantasy football team.
Teens get so much of their information from the Internet. Youth ministers need to be utilizing social media outlets and promoting Catholic Web sites so teens are aware of the resources available to them. Some teens prefer hiding behind a screen to seek answers instead of asking face to face. With the whole of the web at their fingertips we have to help point them in the right direction for answers.
As a Youth Minister at a Life Night, how often do I find myself more concerned with the “flow” of the evening than the moments in which God is working on the hearts of His youth? I asked myself: when was the last time I took a step back, literally and figuratively, at a youth event and reveled in the amazing work God is doing in the hearts and lives of these teens? Sadly the answer was not very often.
Where did the summer go? For some, summer is already history and the teens are back in school. For others, the final weeks of summer are here and the new school year is just around the corner. But for all of us, it is time to ask yourself key questions to make sure that both you and your ministry are prepared for the fall. Are you ready? What do you need to get your ministry equipped?