Skip to main content

The Only Real Way to Get Through Ministry!


We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not the Master Builder; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.


- Archbishop Oscar Romero


There are so many stupid things that happen to you when you're a youth minister.  In my experience most of them are perceived perceptions that others have of you.  This is definitely the most significant way to get to my head.  Thinking that no one likes you and that's the reason why they aren't coming to your programming.

Then when you actually get somewhere with the programming, with the events, with the attendance the teens do something to make you doubt everything you've ever thought, ever done, ever even considered a success in youth ministry.  The devil brings out something just to show you that you are not all you think you are - you are not enough, not getting anywhere.

THEN, I remember these words: "We are in the seed planting business, not the tree growing business."  We plant the seeds for the future generations to enjoy the fruits of our labor.  I recall when I was a youth myself and even though I was very involved, there were many things that needed development and growth before going into this myself.

My youth minister knew he was in the seed planting business, not the tree growing business.  That there would be many mistakes between then and when the trees starting growing later on in life.  So I continue to work, I continue to be discouraged and still push through until one day I see these teens grow into the amazing people that God has created them to be!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

NAS: A Day in the Life

It's 2015 and Tuesday so that means that we are back at the Not Alone Series !  A huge thanks to Jen and Morgan for hosting and for helping all of us ladies gather together to remember that we aren't broken, we aren't alone, and we are loved by God. Let's get back in the swing by sharing what our typical day is like! Tell us however you like, minute by minute or a blurb about your day! Be sure to answer these questions:  - What is your favorite part of your day? - What is your least favorite part of your day? - Are you making any changes to your daily routine now that the new year has begun? Well my typical day use to be not so typical, but then I took a huge leap and got a new job that is a lot eaiser to have a routine that is pretty set.  I am someone who loves routine, I crave stability, and although I can make changes into my routine, they have to be determined by me to stick.  So a typical day? I set my alarm to go off at 6:46am, I get out o

NAS: Travel

How do you travel as a single lady?! Any tips or tricks you'd like to share? Do you have anything fun planned for this year? Multiple times per week when I'm brushing my teeth in the morning I think about how boring my life is, how I never go anywhere. To be honest that is a complete and utter lie. I mean between July 2013 and March 2014, I hung out on four different continents - let along the time I spent traveling around the U.S. to Denver, New York City, Savannah, Orlando, and my parent's place. I'm the girl who bought a plane ticket to Africa and went into the bush all alone. (it's a great story ) Let me type that again - I went to the Congo, alone! I still can't even believe that I did that - it's the craziest thing ever ... but the most amazing experience of my life. So my off the cuff tips for traveling alone, they aren't super original, so be prepared to be underwhelmed! If you want to go somewhere, just do it - buy the ti

I Look Into my Inbox and What Did I See?

I receive the weekly notes from the Catholic Match Institute since my unsuccessful dabble in Online Dating some time ago ( link ) and today's included the face of one of my favorite priests. A man who helped me become the Catholic woman, for better or worse, that I am today. He is doing a series of five videos for CM through Advent. The first two are below ... I encourage you to watch them and stay tuned for the next three! Fr. Ananias, OSB - what an Advent treat!