This week I spent all day everyday inside for Diocesan sponsored classes. For the most part they are good, and I can see that if you are new to youth ministry they could be invaluable to you. The problem is, I have been at it for almost 10 years now, and the foundational stuff does me little or no good.So you would think...
While the first two days were all about a document called "Renewing the Vision" (a document I review about every six months, and try to implement daily), the third and forth days were nothing but resources and how to use them. I do not care how long you have been doing ministry, if someone is going to give you resources and teach you how to use them to better your ministry, you will be elated... That is exactly how I felt... Elated.
After these days I now have resources to help me easily pass on what I know to my core team, peer ministry and catechists. To someone who in the end wants to be replaceable these resources are amazing. They allow a paper trail of things we have done, things we were planning and evaluations of everything... My guess is that most youth ministers would do almost anything for these resources. If you are a Catholic Youth Minister, or involved in youth ministry at all, google the Center for Ministry Development and see if they offer classes in your area. If they do, register... they are well worth the expense.
I think the other thing is that they serve as a retreat week for me. I get to watch those new to ministry grow and recall my own excitement when I first got involved... Despite the long hours, and overwhelming homework I have left to do, I have come away from this week rejuvenated and ready to take on the world again... Bring it on...
Prayers...
Pisio
