At our Dreaming of Youth Ministry’s Future event at Notre Dame, I was struck by something that’s often overlooked in our conversations about professional development. The majority of participants were not brand new youth ministers. They weren’t volunteers just stepping into leadership. They were seasoned leaders — youth ministers, diocesan directors, and practitioners with years of experience.
And what stood out to me was their hunger.
One leader told me it was refreshing to finally sit with others who had traveled the same road. They enjoyed connecting with new ministers, but in those relationships they were always the ones offering wisdom and encouragement. That’s a gift, but it can also feel isolating. They longed for a place where someone else could pour into them.
Another moment came when we gave leaders table time to work through challenges. Every time, they asked for more. Not because they wanted to socialize, but because they were in the middle of tackling real issues that stretched them. They didn’t want to stop the conversation.
Too often our events, trainings, and workshops are geared toward beginners. That’s important — new leaders need the basics. But what about the ones who have been serving for 10, 15, or 20 years?
We tend to forget about them. Yet these leaders carry context, wisdom, and a depth of experience that the Church desperately needs. When they’re given the right environment, they don’t just show up — they thrive. They grow. They rediscover what it means to dream again.
If you’ve been in ministry for a decade or more, don’t settle. Here are three ways to stretch yourself:
Find your people. Sit down with other veterans and talk about where you’re struggling and what you’re learning. Community keeps you sharp.
Stretch yourself. Enroll in higher learning. Join a cohort. Sign up for a conference outside your field on topics like organizational health or digital communication. You don’t know what new skills might awaken fresh goals.
Invest in coaching. A coach gives you both accountability and new exercises to push you further. It’s an investment, but one that pays back in clarity and renewed purpose.
Maybe you don’t know how much longer you’ll be in ministry. Maybe you’re already thinking about what comes next. But here’s the truth: when you commit to being a learner, you model something powerful. You show that ministry is never finished. You set an example for those you serve and for those who will one day follow in your footsteps.
Being a learner is part of being a good steward of the responsibility God has entrusted to you. And when seasoned leaders invest in themselves, the whole Church benefits.