Why It Takes Time To Build A Healthy Ministry

I wanted to get there sooner. After three years of youth ministry at my current parish, I considered moving on to something else. I was not seeing the expected results and was sharing this frustration with friends when one reminded me that successful growth takes time.

When reality does not meet our expectations, it can throw us into a realm of discomfort. Our frustration overwhelms us, and cynism can take over. While you can grow a large ministry overnight (It’s expensive and most times unsustainable), a healthy ministry takes some time and commitment, and that’s because:

IT TAKES TIME TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

A healthy ministry is relational, which means trust is involved. Kids, teens, and parents might not trust you. That might sound harsh, but maybe something happened to them in the past where the Church let them down. It might have been a bad homily or encounter (whether you are cognizant of it or not) that could have damaged their relationship with the Church.

Another factor we forget about is the impact high turnover can have on a parish. When I came to my current parish, there was a reluctance for families to connect. I had been the fifth youth minister in the last 15 years, with a gap of 18 months since the last person. People did not believe I would stay, and it’s only until now, five years later, where people have begun to trust that I’m not just going to disappear.

To build a healthy ministry means establishing relationships between catechists, volunteers, parents, teens, and kids. Make those relationships consistent and encourage them to go beyond the once-a-week interaction. Teach leaders to email, text, or call parents. Don’t be afraid to organize groups to meet beyond the designated faith formation time.

DELIVERING A CLEAR VISION INVOLVES PERSISTENCE

People will not invest in your ministry if they do not see its inherent value. We cannot assume that because they sign up for faith formation or attend Mass, they know why your ministry matters. As a leader, you have to communicate that to your audience constantly. The clarification of the vision starts with yourself. If we were to meet face to face and I asked you, “Why does your ministry exist?” could you give me a personal and specific answer that goes deeper than, “To proclaim the Gospel and serve others with the love of God”? While that answer would be true, someone who is not well catechized would struggle to embrace it.

After you have bought into the vision, it’s important to share that with your team and influential people in the parish. Post it on letterhead, on signs, and anywhere you can. Incorporate it into the homily, your teachings, and your communications. As it says in Habbakuk 2:2, “Write down the vision; Make it plain upon tablets, so that the one who reads it may run.” The more the vision is known, the easier it is for people to live it out to the fullest.

MINISTRY GROWTH IS NOT LINEAR

One of the biggest challenges to growing a healthy ministry is our own patience. We often want results instantly, but we have to remember that not only do things take time, but they don’t always head in the direction we initially anticipate. There will be setbacks (like a pandemic), but that is okay. To stay with the ever-changing path, leaders must grow.

Your formation is what will equip you for the road ahead. Going back for further education, attending workshops, reading literature on your field, and embracing a solid prayer life is key. The more you can stretch yourself to grow, the better you will be at handling the changing ministry landscape.

If we’re going to grow a healthy ministry, we need to make sure we remember things take time, but they also take work. Do not give up and be persistent; yet, remain open to change. Most importantly, travel with others in your field, build relationships and continue to grow.

What do you see as some of the biggest challenges to growing a healthy ministry?