The Vine and the Vineyard

In chapter fifteen of John’s Gospel, Jesus talks about how he is the vine and his father is the vine-grower. The father, in this metaphor, removes the branches that do not bear fruit and prunes those that do bear fruit so that even more fruit can grow. The passage is another reminder of the Paschal Mystery and gives us a good scriptural basis for ways the Paschal Mystery plays out in our ministry.

Our faith is centered on the Paschal Mystery. This is not something that happened 2000 years ago; it is a message for us right now. It is a message youth ministers should incorporate into life and ministry.

On Holy Thursday, we see that Jesus shares a meal with his friends. We undoubtedly have shared many meals with our teens and leaders. We have a great team and are getting very comfortable. The vines of our ministry are in great shape and producing much fruit! In our experience with Holy Thursday in youth ministry, things are clicking and running smoothly.

The Gethsemane and Good Friday Experience

However, do not get too comfortable, there is Good Friday. It is going to happen. We see little signs. There does not seem to be the same number of teens coming in the door. It is getting more difficult to focus the group. Some of our adult leaders are dropping out. Dead branches start to appear in our vineyard! We need that Gethsemane moment when we become completely honest with ourselves about what we are doing. As great as things were, they are not working now. It can be frightening to think about making a change.

Yet most people are comfortable, especially the pastor and staff. They really do not see the subtle changes in the ministry vineyard that you do. You may need to end a popular program or change the time of one of your programs. This is risky. There are always people who resist change. You do your homework, reading all the latest trends, and see that you must do something.

If we examine our vines by evaluating our ministry from time to time, we will likely identify programs or activities that may have been very fruitful at one time but may be stagnating now. These dead branches may need to be cut off so that, as the Gospel parable of the barren fig tree teaches, we are not wasting soil that could be used for other purposes.

On the other hand, as the gardener in the parable recommends, perhaps a program that is stagnating needs a small pruning so that it continues to meet a need. You pray because you know that God knows exactly what you are going through and what needs to be done. This is the faith that Jesus had when he prayed in the garden. Some of the old branches needed to die.

Celebrate Resurrection

Finally after much agonizing, you announce the new changes. Some vines had to be cut, others pruned a little. Perhaps some of your leaders will not be continuing. That can happen with change. You will miss them and it will take a lot of work to rebuild. Like Jesus, you have a passion for your ministry, and you go through the pain as the old way dies.

Now you are able to roll away the stone that was holding progress back and you begin to see a new growth in your ministry vineyard. New volunteers are excited about the new times and ideas you have. New circles of young people begin attending and participating. Your ministry is filled with new life and excitement. Alleluia—celebrate the feast of the Resurrection!