If there were ever a Stuff Youth Ministers Like post that came out of the Captain Obvious Bank, it would be this one. In fact, I can hear you now:
“Of course youth ministers like teens. A Youth Minister who doesn’t like teens is like a stockbroker who doesn’t like money, a doctor who doesn’t like medicine, or a camel trainer who doesn’t like camels.”
Hmmm . . . good point. But now you’ve got me thinking. What does it take to be a camel trainer? How much does it pay? I am, after all nothing but a poor youth minister who just needs to get by.
But, I’ve never met a youth minister who didn’t like teens. It’s in the job description, and if you don’t enjoy ministering to youth, well, you may want to let your Pastor know. There’s a good chance you can find a more profitable way to support your family.
Along with Jesus, teens are our passion. Teens keep us going. And, if we’re lucky enough to be full-time youth ministers, teens are the reason we have a job. Without them we wouldn’t get our 3-figure paycheck every week so we can pay the rent, purchase some Top Ramen, and buy that new coat hanger we had our eye on to keep our muffler intact.
But all kidding aside, any youth minister must have a heart to reach out to teenagers everyday.
Whether they like it or not.
Whether they reject you or not.
Whether they acknowledge you or not.
For any youth minister, there is nothing like watching a teen come to understand God’s unconditional love for them. There is nothing like seeing a group of teens in line for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And there is nothing like knowing that a teen who just went off to college knows that the God of the universe is truly present in the Eucharist in any Catholic Church they attend.
Teens, you are our passion. You are who we pray for. And you are the reason we get up every morning from our old and worn out mattress to go to our closet-sized offices and tape twelve straws together so we can prepare for the upcoming icebreaker.
Teens, we love you. We want the best for you. You are worth it.
Question: What’s the greatest way you’ve seen God move in hearts of your teens? (Share below.)
I love watching teens praise God in song, I’m inspired by their devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and humbled by the way they recognize their need for His mercy in Reconciliation.
Amen, Heather. I love watching the teens have authentic experiences of the sacraments. Keep up the great work!
This last week at Edge was so great. There were times that I wanted to chop heads off…joking…but I was really frustrated with some of my teens. Yet, at the end of the night we lifted our intentions up in prayer. Their prayers were beautiful. Many of them prayed for one another and non-Edge classmates. I was touched by how caring my teens really are.
Amen, Melissa! It’s amazing how God moves in the hearts of the teens. Keep up the great work!
I love them all, but I always find great inspiration from the teen who finally raises his/her hands in praise and worship. If you look at their faces in that one moment they look so relieved and happy. And that helps me to remember why my husband and I do it all for free, that moment is priceless.
Amen Karla! I love that moment. My favorite is when former teens come back and thank you for everything you did as their youth minister even though they didn’t really “get it” back when they were in high school. It’s so cool to know that the seeds you planted began to sprout at some point. Such a beautiful and humbling moment.
I absolutely LOVED this post–thank you so much for writing this! It brings complete joy to my life seeing that moment when one of my students “gets it” or participates in something they used to call dumb, or gives some crazy honest witness that leaves you wondering “where has that been all along?!”
Thanks again!
You’re welcome! It’s amazing how teens can come out of nowhere and shock you with how God’s been moving in their heart. I love that moment!
Thanks Eric for the simple yet poignant (in a good way) reminder of why we do what we do and who we’re doing this for.
After all, teens won’t care how much we know until they know how much we care!
Well said, Clay.
One of the biggest ways I’ve seen God move in the teens life is the fact that they want to share their experiences at the church with their friends. More and more I’ve seen the youth at the church bring friends to any and all events.
Jason, It’s such a beautiful witness when teens invite their friends. Love it!