As a youth minister, I spent a lot of time on a variety of important things: planning, relational ministry, playing with the little toy that came in the Life Support Box. There was always something to keep me busy.
Unfortunately, I also spent a good portion of time doing things that didn’t matter, like complaining.
It seemed that no matter how good things were in my ministry, I always found something to complain about:
“Not enough teens are coming.”
“Fellow staff members aren’t supporting my ministry.”
“Parents just don’t understand.” (Is Will Smith some sort of youth ministry prophet?)
While all of these were valid, often times I allowed them to steal my joy and cause me to forget about the many things that I should have been thankful for.
So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here is a list of some of the things I am thankful for in youth ministry:
- Teens who show up and strive to know Jesus more everyday.
- Leftover pizza.
- Core Team Members who give their time, talent, and treasure to the ministry.
- Parishioners who pray for the youth.
- Pastors who invest in the teens.
- Shaving cream.
- The Sacraments.
- Friday night football games.
- My bishop.
- Long bus rides.
This list could go on and on, and just thinking about these things gives me great joy. And if there’s one thing you can never have enough of in youth ministry, it’s joy. So, what about you?
Question: What things are you thankful for in youth ministry? (Share below.)
I am thankful for encouragement of any kind in ministry. It may not happen often, but I will take it in any form it comes. Sometimes it comes from a parent who was pleased with a parent night at Confirmation. Or it can be a teen who really had a transformative experience at retreat and now they know they are loved by God. Or a Core member who comes alive when they realize the joy of serving the youth. When other people in the parish just stop you sometimes and say, “What can I do to help you in your ministry?” Believe me, all these things do not happen to me often. Each instance here probably has happened only a few times in the last 4 years of ministry. But they DO happen, and they ARE truly blessings for which I am thankful. Encouragement sometimes comes in the least likely ways; the ways we don’t expect. So ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to these little treasures and gifts. Great blog, Eric!
Amen, Julie! Thank you for all the ways that you serve teens and the Church. May God continue to bless you with His love, joy, and grace.
I am thankful for this family who provides meal for the teens and they always have a giant bag of gummy bears and Shasta Tiki Punch. Always a nice treat. I am thankful when former teens get in touch with me, heart to hearts with our CORE, adoration, the saints, our parish priests, coffee, our teens who give the best hugs and words when they are needed. God is good!
What a great list. Thanks for sharing, Rita.