What I’ve Learned My First Year In Ministry The Second Time Around

I forgot how hard this was going to be. As someone who has served in ministry for over a decade it’s humbling to start all over.

Last year I walked away from a very successful and stable career so I could start over. I picked my current parish for many reasons, and I’m glad that I did. It’s full of potential, growth and impact. It’s also a reminder that:

STARTING OVER IS REALLY HARD

It’s not that I had been out of ministry that long, I just forgot some of the basics, some of the things I write about in this blog and share with clients. After the second go around of year one I’m reminded that:

RESULTS TAKE TIME

Day one, I sat down and wrote out goals. They were big and ambitious. They stretched me and pushed me; however, they were not entirely realistic.

It took me twelve years to get to where I was at my last job. I had different resources, coworkers, and community. I’ve been reminded that despite my experience reaching my goals will take time.

How much time? While I have a clearer sense of what needs to get done, how long it takes will depend on the:

• Clarity of my communication
• Willingness for people to change, grow and adapt (including my own)
• Overall health of the parish

It’s not impossible to reach my goals, there are just a lot of factors that need to take place.

BUILDING A FOUNDATION TAKES PRIORITY 

While there is a lot to get done (youth nights, camps, events, confirmation prep), the most important item on my to-do list is building foundational relationships. That means:

• Getting to know the culture around you
• Talking to people who have been involved
• Learning the history of your church

It might at first feel like a whole lot of nothing, but it’s investing in future actions. By building a foundation you are building trust which is the most important resource a youth minister can acquire.

HAVING A LIFE OUTSIDE OF MINISTRY IS IMPORTANT

When I first started out ministry was my life. At the time I had no kids, I wasn’t married and I didn’t have too many commitments. I was available and present until it started to wear me out.

This time around I’m older, which means I get a little more tired. Spending time with my family, friends and other passions is important because it keeps me healthy and mentally prepared to handle the grind that ministry brings.

That doesn’t mean the two don’t cross over, but how they interact is much more clear. If I’m going to do this for another 12 years I’ve got to remember the balance.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IS AN ONGOING PROCESS

Starting over is humbling, but I love it at the same time. It’s forced me to grow as a leader in new ways. I’ve had to review how I:

• Listen to others
• Manage a team of volunteers
• Communicate to parents, teens, and coworkers

It’s looking at new ways to lead which has stretched me at times.

When I initially started I thought I was so ready to get going and make changes. I was excited to see life change and growth. It’s happening just in ways that I didn’t expect and that’s okay.

What’s in store for year two? More goals, more strategy and more dreaming. And that’s because youth ministry is an always changing process and as leaders we need to be open, flexible and focused.

How have you had to start over in ministry and what challenges did you face?

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