On my office door I have a cartoon that shows a teenage boy saying, “You’ve been my youth minister for five years, and you’ve had a huge influence in my life for Christ, but I’ve always wanted to ask you—what do you do for a living?”
Lay ministry, particularly diocesan youth ministry, is a real mystery to some Catholics. When I entered diocesan youth, I did not really know what I was getting into. But experience helps, and I would like to share some of the lessons I have learned about how to survive and even thrive in diocesan youth ministry.
First, be a good listener and do not assume you know other people’s experiences until you have listened to their ideas and stories. When I was still very new at diocesan ministry, I visited a certain rural parish to offer “expert” assistance. It was after I listened to their needs and the unique ways they ministered with their youth when I realized their experience was so different from mine. I did not need to be the “expert” bearing great program ideas, I needed to be the listener who affirmed their good work and the resource person with various suggestions that could enhance their ministry.
Second, diocesan youth ministry is built on the same foundation building blocks as parish youth ministry, and one of the cornerstones is building relationships. We can serve youth ministers best by offering them our friendship and respect. A little kindness, personal attention, and affirmation from the diocesan office can go a long way in making them feel more valued for their underappreciated ministry. This is the familiar strategy of ministry of presence that we use when building relationships with young people; same concept, same results.
Similarly we need to be attentive to our co-workers or colleagues in other ministries in our diocesan offices and even beyond. We need to be players in the bigger system. Many of the other diocesan offices and services can be great resources for us, and we for them.
Third, while acting in authority on certain matters and calling others into accountability on various issues are sometimes necessary and essential components of our work, diocesan leaders are cautioned to avoid any preoccupation with the elusive concept of power and control. We are called to the higher road of following the example of Jesus and invoking Christ’s power that is life-giving and reconciling.
Fourth, in a diocesan structure, youth ministry experiences the most ongoing and consistent change. The focus of our ministry—young people, experience change at a rapid pace—which impacts the way we minister. This ultimately means that diocesan leaders need to be constantly updating our understanding of how young people, the church, and the world work. Do not be ashamed to be “caught” with your feet up on your desk in the last hour of the work day reading a youth ministry journal, or perusing resource catalogs, or surfing the net for youth culture material.
Fifth, always try to stay connected to the mission that brought you to the ministry. Every so often, I have to remind myself what brought me to this ministry and who I am really here to serve. It is about getting back to the core purpose of our work.
And finally, there are many lessons that you can learn from others who are in other diocesan positions or other dioceses in youth ministry. Seek mentors in the diocese or in youth ministry offices in other dioceses. When I was hired into diocesan youth ministry many years ago, the first thing I did was find sympathetic diocesan youth ministry directors in other dioceses who would take time to talk with me and offer ideas and moral support. I have also found the fellowship of NFCYM regional networking extremely valuable. I am most fortunate to be part of Region 4 that has some great diocesan staffs, with many years of experience to share and a wealth of youth ministry ideas to tap. These colleagues have become a tremendous support system for me. Use that fellowship to your best advantage and support.
So you want to be a diocesan director? Eighteen plus years ago when I started working for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, the average ministry life span for a parish youth minister was 18 months; the average ministry life span of a diocesan director was even less. Much has changed and improved in our field through the years. The average ministry life span is much longer now. Even though the challenges are many, it is still a great time to be in diocesan youth ministry, and I would not trade these eighteen years for anything. So, enjoy the ministry even when someone compliments you on your work and dedication…and then asks what you do for a living.
Mike Hall is director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. He has held this position for the past 18 years. Mike earned a MS degree in community health education from West Virginia University and a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from West Liberty State College. He holds an Advanced Certificate in Youth Ministry and a Certificate in Youth Ministry from the Center for Ministry Development. Mike lives in Wheeling, West Virginia, with his wife Linda, who is a parish youth ministry coordinator. Linda and Mike have three grown daughters and two grandchildren.
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