The same anxiety filled my body as it has for the last twenty years. Despite the routines I've developed and knowing that everything will be okay, I still tend to nitpick every detail at the last minute with thoughts like, "I should have planned this better," or "I wish I had thought of this." I usually get through those devilish thoughts by telling myself, "You'll get it next time." However, during this most recent ministry launch, I could not tell myself that because it was my last one.
Early in 2025, I'll be stepping away from parish ministry to commit myself full-time to growing Marathon Youth Ministry.
It was not an easy decision, one that I've been praying over and discussing with my family, pastor, coworkers, and friends for the last year. When I started Marathon Youth Ministry back in 2016, while still in parish ministry, I asked a mentor who had left church ministry to start a company, "How did you know it was time to leave?"
He responded that there was no perfect timing, but you'll recognize it as the ministry and company grow. I'll always love working in a parish, especially as a youth minister, but my desire to do more with Marathon has dramatically increased over the years.
I've been blessed with a supportive pastor and staff, and the outpouring from parishioners has been humbling. The change is something my family and I have consistently discussed, and I'm fortunate to have a wife and two sons who are deeply engaged in the process. This was definitely not a decision I wanted to make on my own.
The reason I'm sharing this publicly is to document what I am learning as I leave. Too often, I meet people who struggle with leaving their parishes well. Some either don't know when it's the right time to go, or their decision to leave is met with... well, let's just call it un-Christian-like behavior.
I'm not saying leaving or letting someone go is supposed to be easy, but there are ways we can acknowledge their hard work and celebrate their stewardship.
In regards to what's coming up at Marathon Youth Ministry, here’s what I can share:
After my last day, I know I’ll need time before reentering parish ministry as a volunteer. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served at St. Joseph Parish in Cockeysville for the last eight years and at Church of the Nativity for the twelve years before that. I've had the privilege of working with amazing pastors and incredible coworkers, and it's been a blessing to witness so many young people grow into Christ-centered adults.
This part of the journey is coming to an end, but there is still so much ahead. All I ask from you is your prayers, and I look forward to walking with you in this new season of ministry.