I've been employed as the Associate Rector for Family and Young Adult Ministry for 8 months. I've been ordained clergy for 7 months (since my transitional Diaconate ordination). I've been an ordained priest for a month. When, oh when, will I start getting good at this job?
Oh, the liturgical functions like celebrating and preaching go just fine, but it is the day-to-day stuff that kills me. The high school group dislikes me. The junior high group is bored with me. The parents want to turn into the "villagers with pitchforks and burning pine knots." If I communicate one way, they want it another. If I follow this person's suggestion, then that person is upset. If I plan something, they want to do something else...or just don't show up.
I really, really wish that some experienced and successful youth minister would just wave their magic wand and make good and successful at this!
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2 comments:
Oh, RtL... the first year of ministry was killer for me for these reasons. It's easy to get stuck and lose sight of your successes. And I humbly suggest abandoning any thoughts of "pleasing" anyone -- it's impossible. And exhausting. People push their anxieties onto you, and it is a trick to keep those anxieties theirs instead of making them into yours.
It's a hard hard job. And often lonely.
I wished for a magic wand a few times, but I'm pretty sure there isn't one. Heidi is totally right, though. Trying to please people will make you crazy. Keep doing what feels right, and keep talking to people who do this kind of work. You have lots of gifts and it will get easier.
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