I teared up watching our student worship band lead at Mass. They were good, but this was a moment the congregation could experience too. It wasn't just an anomaly showing off talent, but an opportunity for young people to belong at the table with leadership. What began as a parishioner's idea turned into something we could only dream of. We built a space where youth used their gifts and grew in liturgical music, team building, and collaboration. It was more than ministry—it was fun, new, and meaningful. It's one of those things I look back on and smile about because I got to be part of something special.
Most of us didn’t sign up for ministry because we loved managing calendars or filling rosters. We signed up because we believe—in the Church, in young people, in the Gospel’s power to change lives.
But somewhere along the way, it’s easy to lose sight of that bigger vision.
We get stuck:
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Reacting to constant demands
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Recycling the same ideas
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Trying to keep everyone happy
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Fighting burnout, turnover, frustration
When was the last time you had the space to really dream about what your ministry could be?
WHY WE NEED TO DREAM AGAIN
If our only goal is to keep the program afloat, we miss the chance to ask:
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What is God inviting us to do in this moment?
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What do young people actually need from the Church right now?
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What if we tried something different?
We need room to listen, to imagine, to collaborate. I was speaking with a former coworker the other day and we reminisced about the times the team met just to dream big and brainstorm. From the outside it didn't look like we were being productive, but we knew that we were nourishing, and testing ideas that would really push us. Our time to listen, imagine and collaborate gave us permission to focus on the big picture and the vision of the ministry.
What dreams have you set aside? Take a moment to think about it. What vision is God placing on your heart?
PRACTICAL STEPS YOU CAN START NOW
If you're feeling busy or stretched, know you're not alone. These are gentle suggestions, not demands—ways you might begin dreaming again even in the midst of your schedule:
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Keep a recording device/notebook by you at all times. If an idea pops into your head write it down or record it. No matter what you do make sure it doesn't get lost. If possible set aside five minutes a day to review those ideas.
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Revisit your prayer life. I'm not going to ask you to do more, but do something different. If you have a regular prayer time (which you should) consider leaving time when you can simply be silent, not speak but listen. It's hard to do at first, and maybe you have to go find a chapel or a quiet space. If you have to read Scripture or recite a decade of the rosary to get the mind flowing, great. But make sure there is time to simply listen to the promptings of the spirit.
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Ask your team: What would you try if you knew you couldn't fail? If you don't have any ideas, maybe someone else does, they have just never been given permission to dream big. Create an "idea jar" or allow them to send you an email when something comes to mind. But, if you don't have the capacity to dream big, maybe someone else does.
These small steps can open up new possibilities. But if you want to go deeper and dream together, consider our:
INVITATION TO STEP BACK
That’s why we’re gathering for Dreaming Youth Ministry’s Future (Sept 29–Oct 1 in South Bend, Indiana).
It’s not a “how-to” conference. It’s a space to step back, listen deeply, and reimagine together.
You’ll join youth ministry leaders from around the country, with partners like:
We’ll share ideas, pray together, and ask:
What’s next? It's a real question, not just a prompt. Take time to reflect on it. Because our ministries need leaders willing to dream—even when it’s hard. And while you should always be dreaming, sometimes stepping out with others who understand is the most freeing thing in the world.
TO JOIN US AND LEARN MORE CLICK HERE
We know ministry leaders are busy, but your ministry deserves moments to pause and imagine what God might be calling you toward. Whether you join us or not, we hope you make time to listen, dream, and plan boldly for the future.
When was the last time you gave yourself permission to dream about ministry?