The NACYML leadership team meeting in March, 2005. Front row: Patrick Spedale, Mary Harrison, Megan Shepherd, Pat Clasby, Chris Weber; Back row: Bob McCarty, Mary Mueller, Grace Cassetta, Ben Weisse; Not Pictured: Ann Marie Eckert, Dee Hawthorn, Pat Howard, Rey Malave.

When I began in youth ministry almost twenty-five years ago, it was a relatively new field of ministry for the Catholic Church. The longevity of a youth minister or high school campus minister in their position was eighteen to thirty-six months. The educational background of youth ministry leaders was eclectic—we had degrees ranging from education to nursing, religious studies to microbiology. Our ministry focus was to be “church” with young people, almost parallel to parish life. Approximately 600 people attended the biennial National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry.

Growth of Youth Ministry

Today, I see youth ministry blossoming into a vital ministry of our church, in parishes, schools, and dioceses. Professional youth ministry leaders stay in their position an average of nine years, and when they do change positions it is often within the field. Colleges and universities now offer a concentration in youth ministry with many of their pastoral ministry degree programs. Youth ministry leaders were instrumental in the development of the National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers, which includes youth ministry leaders. Our ministry focus has grown to assisting faith communities (parishes, schools, and dioceses) to be youth friendly and youth inclusive, and to see themselves as youth blessed. Youth ministry leaders are key members of pastoral staffs, ensuring that young people are included in the life of the community. Over 2,000 people now attend the biennial National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry. Yes, Catholic youth ministry has certainly come of age.

With such a growth in Catholic youth ministry, now is the right moment for us as youth ministry leaders to have our own professional ministry organization. The National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders provides us the vehicle to promote both the profession and the practice of youth ministry.

First NACYML Gathering

At the first gathering of NACYML on December 2 in Pittsburgh, members stated that our top hope for NACYML was to provide professional identity and recognition. In addition, when answering the question: “How will we, NACYML, build the profession and practice of youth ministry?” one of the top answers we gave was “educate other church workers (priests, other lay leaders) about youth ministry and the role of youth ministers.” Our responses to these questions shows a strong desire for our youth ministry profession to be recognized and appreciated by the larger church community. This sentiment was echoed by the large applause we gave Mike Patin when he stated he could “not think of a more honorable job” than that of a youth worker in response to the often asked question, “When are youth ministry leaders going to get a real job?”

Respect of Our Profession

Both our desire to be respected and our desire for the profession to be credible among other ministerial colleagues, runs deep. Reflecting on this desire has led me to ask—“What do we do to foster this respect and credibility for our profession?”

• Do we respect and support our colleagues in other ministries and the challenges they face?
• Do we present ourselves professionally in dress and speech when with ministry colleagues at staff meetings and the like?
• Do we keep current on the documents and teachings of the church so we can enter into competent dialogue with other ministers?
• Do we view the good of the faith community as integral to our ministry?
• Are we team players, the team being the staff of the faith community?
• Do we foster an attitude of collaboration and cooperation; do we initiate opportunities for such sharing with other ministries?
• Do we take the initiative to help educate our colleagues on youth ministry and how we all have a role in it?
• Are we committed to ongoing professional development, especially in light of the National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers?

As we grow as a professional association, I am sure we will grapple with these questions and others as we develop ways of promoting our profession. Perhaps our first step is to take a personal assessment—to assess whether we do act as professionals and how we could better present ourselves to others as professionals. Our actions do speak louder than anything in pronouncing our professionalism.