Breaking Into Youth Ministry?

[MissyP89]

So I've decided I want to tell you guys a secret that's been growing in my heart for a while.

*deep breath*

I think I want to be a youth minister.

Now, this isn't something I'm able to jump into right away for a variety of reasons. But I truly believe that this is something God is calling me to do. The desire to get out there and [i]do something [/i]for young people in the Church is so strong in me that it's almost impossible to ignore any longer.

I'm not planning on leaving my current line of work for this -- at least not yet. I [i]am[/i] actively looking toward the next chapter of my life, though, and I'm ready to start exploring this seriously.

Quite a few of you have loads of experience in this area, both positive and negative. I want to learn whatever I can, and I know that PM is a good place to ask.

Feel free to scream "DON'T DO IT! RUN!!!!" at me and tell me why. I'll hear you out.

Something I do want to know right away is what qualifications I'll need to work with youth, if any. Do I need a degree for this?

Anyway. If you're comfortable doing so, please share whatever experiences you think will benefit me. PMs are welcome, too. And most of all, please pray for me as I discern.

Thanks, pham!

[Papist]

I recommend getting your feet wet first. Best way is go to your parish and talk to the youth minister. Tell him you want to volunteer. I would not share with him your aspirations to become a youth minister. I would not over-expect b/c it is NOT what you envision it. If, after a while of volunteering, you still have that desire, I would then share with him and ask him his advice on how to proceed. If possible, I would highly suggest attending the NCYC with your parish youth.

[Hubertus]

So far I've only seen parishes hire youth ministers with bachelor's degrees, but I don't think the field has to be too specific. Three youth ministers I know off the top of my head were a criminal justice major, a psychology major, and a business major.

My friend who just got a job as a youth minister got it by volunteering for a while.. Then when our old youth minister left he applied, and voila! Fresh out of college, too.

[BG45]

Volunteer first, like Papist said. That should help you get acquainted not only with the people who are already doing it, but also the kids themselves. Also, like Hubertus said, there isn't usually a specific field needed. Of the Catholic and Protestant youth ministers I know, they have degrees in Social Studies Education, History, Theology, and no degree at all (but that guy did have like seven kids and was doing it as a second career! No one could say he didn't have experience in raising kids in their Baptist faith!).

[MIKolbe]

Follow your heart.

[Lil Red]

you're crazy...run away.

[Lil Red]

okay...

i second the volunteering first, but in a way, that will only hook you on youth ministry by showing you most of the great parts to ym and none of the bad parts. you won't know the politics of the parish until you're on staff - and there will be politics, be assured. are you ready to have your personal life picked apart? are you ready to have people scrutinize how you worship at Mass? are you ready to have your illusions of other people on the parish staff be blown apart?

but the love you will have for the youth, and their lives, will be like nothing you've ever experienced. their heartaches will be your heartaches and their joys will be your joys.

[Jaime]

If God isn't calling you to youth ministry, do something else. If God is calling you, do nothing else.

Here's a heads up Miss! I'm of the mind that 95% of people who minister professionally do so because of an unconscious desire to be ministered to. So it's really important to do a lot of self reflection. I probably spent about 10-15 hours a week in prayer and self reflection when working full time.

Also, if anyone tells you "we can only hire a part time youth minister" there is no such thing as part time youth ministry.

[Amppax]

I second the volunteering, its incredibly rewarding. As far as qualifications, I think it just depends on the parish.

Good luck! I'll be praying for you as you explore this!

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='jaime' timestamp='1342453310' post='2456066']

! I'm of the mind that 95% of people who minister professionally do so because of an unconscious desire to be ministered to.
[/quote]

There are not enough possible props for this. This statement also applies to caseworkers, social workers, and many health professionals.

[Papist]

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1342453133' post='2456064']
okay...

i second the volunteering first, but in a way, that will only hook you on youth ministry by showing you most of the great parts to ym and none of the bad parts. you won't know the politics of the parish until you're on staff - and there will be politics, be assured. are you ready to have your personal life picked apart? are you ready to have people scrutinize how you worship at Mass? are you ready to have your illusions of other people on the parish staff be blown apart?

but the love you will have for the youth, and their lives, will be like nothing you've ever experienced. their heartaches will be your heartaches and their joys will be your joys.
[/quote]

Not to mention dealing with the parents' idea of what the youth minister should be doing.

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

the171 one does stuff with middle schoolers and loves it, she may be able to answer questions. I would PM her if I were you, Missy.

I, on the other hand, am no help, I work with little, little ones.

OH, and I'm praying for you as always!

Edited July 16, 2012 by FutureCarmeliteClaire

[eagle_eye222001]

Don't do it for the appeal of money. Any financial crisis, and youth ministry tends to be one of the first cuts (at least in my very limited experience).

[MissyP89]

You people are incredible. I already knew that, but you continue to amaze me. I thought it would be good to talk a little more about what's led me to this point and paint a clearer picture. Maybe that will help.

For those who suggest my parish, perhaps there is where the problem begins. We have nothing. I'm not sure why that is, but it's a red flag for me.

I belong to an "elderly" parish, to put it lightly, and there is a certain degree of truth to what jaime said. I've always been alone as far as my faith journey goes. The only adult support I had was my confessor (once a month for 10 minutes) until I went to college and got involved in campus ministry.

(Frankly, I'm turning 23 this fall and aside from my time in undergrad I'm still very much on my own spiritually. I don't feel any bitterness about that, just sadness over the lack of resources.)

That lack of support recked havoc on my spiritual life in those first years. I don't want kids to have to go through what I did. They need to know there are people out there who care about them in the Church and support their spiritual growth.

I think that's why I want to do this, mostly because I see a real lack of youth ministry around me. I have to travel to another [i]county[/i] to find a healthy young adult program, and I think that's a shame. There have been a few half-hearted attempts to hold events around here in the past, but they died out before getting anywhere.

If there's no one and nothing to reach young people, then why will they stay? I think it's odd that certain people around me lament the lack of young people, and yet do nothing to serve them because they feel like they don't care. If we stop caring about them, then they'll stop caring about the Church.

I expected the scrutiny, Red, and honestly I was especially looking for your input on this; thank you very much. In some ways, my church life is already scrutinized and talked about [i]because [/i]I've been in church alone since I was 17. As for politics, I don't think I have any shiny illusions ... and that's all I will say about that.

Thank you all. I am willing to do this for free because I see a need. Volunteering seems logical, but I guess the question is where, since there is nothing available here.

Edited July 16, 2012 by MissyP89

[Papist]

There are youth at your parish, yes? You can approach your pastor with the idea of starting a youth group that would gather once a week. You won't be able to and allowed to do it alone. Do you know peoples there who would care to do this with you?