How I Talked My Way Into A Terrible Job
Back in January of 2006, I was coasting through my last semester of college. Everything was all set: I’d graduate in May and get married in August, but there was one big issue…
I didn’t have a job lined up.
I was home for winter break when I got an idea.
I setup an appointment with the pastor of a local parish – arguably the most wealthy parish in the diocese. I knew the budget was there, but they hadn’t had a youth minister on staff in almost 10 years.
During that meeting, I convinced the pastor that they NEEDED to hire a full-time youth minister – and since I needed a job, that youth minister should be me. KEEP READING
Leave the 99: Welcoming New Sheep Into the Fold
As we prepare for our elaborate Fall Kick-Offs designed to reel in the teens and get them hooked on our absolutely amazing youth ministry programs, I am reminded of my past failures in achieving what is most important in a new beginning. Welcoming new teens is not a strong suit of mine. After all, I am a youth minister. It’s not as though my job is welcoming teens, right?
Now throwing a rager of a kick-off? That I can do. In fact, by most perspectives, I have never had an unsuccessful kick-off party. We have done the bouncy house and sumo wrestler thing, the photo booth superhero party, the messy games. KEEP READING
3 Ways to Make You, Your Staff, and Your Team More Effective
We ministers always tend to think outwardly. We want to serve our youth, our parish, our community.
There needs to be times that we look inwardly. Do we know our gifts and use them? Do we look at our staff and recognize the gifts other bring to the team and maximize our ministries with a team approach?
August and September kick off a new year for many of us. Let’s take some time to look inward, reflect on ourselves, our staff and our team and resolve in this new year to make some changes.
1. Discover Your Strengths
There are many ways to do this that work very well in the professional world. KEEP READING
3 Ways to Start the Year off Right!
For many of us in youth ministry, the summer has flown by and now a new year is starting right around the corner. New teens will be coming and current teens will be returning, excited to see their friends. What can we do to start the year off right in order to get the teens and families excited about the new year? Here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Timely Parent Information
It is vital to inform parents early of all that is going to take place in youth ministry throughout the year. Invite them into the process and let them know how they can be involved. KEEP READING
The Word: Living and Effective
Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
I have some concerns about the word of God. Actually, my concerns are not about the words themselves. But, whether or not we have rendered The Word dead or ineffective.
In my Eastertime travels, I had two experiences that reminded me of the value of the Word. First, I attended a Catholic “Way of the Cross” through the streets of Denver. There were only six stations and the Gospels were read at each of them. KEEP READING
Happy Advent!
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your ministry thrive.
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We want to help your ministry thrive.
How I Talked My Way Into A Terrible Job
Back in January of 2006, I was coasting through my last semester of college. Everything was all set: I’d graduate in May and get married in August, but there was one big issue…
I didn’t have a job lined up.
I was home for winter break when I got an idea.
I setup an appointment with the pastor of a local parish – arguably the most wealthy parish in the diocese. I knew the budget was there, but they hadn’t had a youth minister on staff in almost 10 years.
During that meeting, I convinced the pastor that they NEEDED to hire a full-time youth minister – and since I needed a job, that youth minister should be me. KEEP READING
Leave the 99: Welcoming New Sheep Into the Fold
As we prepare for our elaborate Fall Kick-Offs designed to reel in the teens and get them hooked on our absolutely amazing youth ministry programs, I am reminded of my past failures in achieving what is most important in a new beginning. Welcoming new teens is not a strong suit of mine. After all, I am a youth minister. It’s not as though my job is welcoming teens, right?
Now throwing a rager of a kick-off? That I can do. In fact, by most perspectives, I have never had an unsuccessful kick-off party. We have done the bouncy house and sumo wrestler thing, the photo booth superhero party, the messy games. KEEP READING
3 Ways to Make You, Your Staff, and Your Team More Effective
We ministers always tend to think outwardly. We want to serve our youth, our parish, our community.
There needs to be times that we look inwardly. Do we know our gifts and use them? Do we look at our staff and recognize the gifts other bring to the team and maximize our ministries with a team approach?
August and September kick off a new year for many of us. Let’s take some time to look inward, reflect on ourselves, our staff and our team and resolve in this new year to make some changes.
1. Discover Your Strengths
There are many ways to do this that work very well in the professional world. KEEP READING
3 Ways to Start the Year off Right!
For many of us in youth ministry, the summer has flown by and now a new year is starting right around the corner. New teens will be coming and current teens will be returning, excited to see their friends. What can we do to start the year off right in order to get the...
The Word: Living and Effective
Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 I have some concerns about the word of God....
Feed Your Need for Feedback
Just about every week there comes a point where I find myself thinking, "why won't they just TELL me what they think?!" I'm talking about my coworkers, my family, my toddler--they all have their moments where it seems like I can't get any recognition of what I'm doing...
Be Aware of Self Care
These are a few ways that I try to make sure I do not get burnt out in the ministry. A burnt out minister doesn’t do anyone any good.
Ministry Can Be Lonely
Ministry can be lonely. Especially youth ministry. My first two years of ministry did not prepare me well for the next ten years. I started youth ministry as an intern at a parish with 3 full time staff members, a college intern (me), and two high school interns. It...
Five Tips for Thriving in Your First Year of Ministry
As a fellow rookie in ministry, I’ve come up with five tips to help you thrive in your first year of ministry and maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.
Best. Communication. Tips. Ever.
I love Stranger Things. I binge-watched it when it came out. I made jokes with my fiancée about how cute the kids in the show were and we laughed about the CGI monsters. Then, I promptly forgot about it (as one does until Season 2 comes back with a vengeance). That...
Getting Real About SSA & LGBT
It’s here. It’s queer. Are we getting used to it yet? This June is Pride Month in the United States and throughout the world. Adults identifying as LGBT is increasing over time and across generations. Same sex attraction is “coming out” into the limelight. We see it...
How to Communicate Your Ministry to Others
“Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary use words.” This quote is famously attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, when in fact, we have no solid evidence that he ever spoke these words. What we do know with certainty is that he was a very effective preacher and...
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I remember my dad being larger than life. He wasn't a very tall man, only stood about 5'5" if he was really trying. But his outgoing sales personality and fierce love he had for the people in his life made him appear 7 feet tall. He could make anything fun, was...
