This week I started my ministry at Mount Harmony-Lower Marlboro United Methodist Church. This ministry is part time (as I am at the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society the rest of the week). The church is small, in a fairly rural community and more progressive than its UM neighbors further down in Calvert County. I am completely excited to be a part of the church.
However, at the same time, I'm trepedacious. While I will be slightly involved in community work here, my main responsibilities will be working with the youth and the young families. I'm torn. My experience before seminary was certainly with youth... but when I left for seminary I swore I'd never return to being "just a youth minister". Not that youth ministry is bad or less of a ministry by any means. In fact, quite the opposite - to me great youth ministry takes your whole heart and soul... I was simply convinced I didn't have that much to give anymore.
Then there's the "young families" part of my job. What does that mean? In some cases "young families" mean young adults and their children. In other places it means parents of young children (and in today's culture those parents are not necessarily "young" themselves - many are well into their 40's or even 50's). What do I know about working with them? Other than the fact that, I suppose, technically I am part of a "young family".
And what is "young" anyway? Depending on who you ask in our church a "young adult" is anyone under 30, 35, or even 40 (most agree on up to 35).
I guess I'll figure it all out over the next few months as I get to know these "young" people (both the youth and the young families). The good news is that they already have some laity who have been leading the youth group and the young families that gather for fellowship. My role will be to provide a bit more spiritual influence and overall direction.
But honestly, I'm winging it for now. I'm spending time with God, reading up on the millenial generation, and doing anything else I can think of to prepare myself for this new adventure. Any advice on working with disillusioned generations, entire families, and struggling teens in this day and age is most welcome.
However, at the same time, I'm trepedacious. While I will be slightly involved in community work here, my main responsibilities will be working with the youth and the young families. I'm torn. My experience before seminary was certainly with youth... but when I left for seminary I swore I'd never return to being "just a youth minister". Not that youth ministry is bad or less of a ministry by any means. In fact, quite the opposite - to me great youth ministry takes your whole heart and soul... I was simply convinced I didn't have that much to give anymore.
Then there's the "young families" part of my job. What does that mean? In some cases "young families" mean young adults and their children. In other places it means parents of young children (and in today's culture those parents are not necessarily "young" themselves - many are well into their 40's or even 50's). What do I know about working with them? Other than the fact that, I suppose, technically I am part of a "young family".
And what is "young" anyway? Depending on who you ask in our church a "young adult" is anyone under 30, 35, or even 40 (most agree on up to 35).
I guess I'll figure it all out over the next few months as I get to know these "young" people (both the youth and the young families). The good news is that they already have some laity who have been leading the youth group and the young families that gather for fellowship. My role will be to provide a bit more spiritual influence and overall direction.
But honestly, I'm winging it for now. I'm spending time with God, reading up on the millenial generation, and doing anything else I can think of to prepare myself for this new adventure. Any advice on working with disillusioned generations, entire families, and struggling teens in this day and age is most welcome.
Look! I’m doing a new thing;
now it sprouts up;
don’t you recognize it?
I’m making a way in the desert,
paths in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:19)
now it sprouts up;
don’t you recognize it?
I’m making a way in the desert,
paths in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:19)
1 comment:
hooray for winging it! You should check out youthguy07 on twitter. He was a career youth ministry guy and still blogs about it. Really cool perspective on at least part of what you're looking at :-)
Post a Comment