While visiting with a youth minister at NCCYM 2010, I asked her to tell me about her ministry. She began, “Well, I’m only part-time.” I trailed off and thought about that not hearing anything else she said. I then leaned forward in my seat, looked her straight in the eye and interrupted her saying, “There’s no such thing.”
“As what?” she said.
“Part time youth ministry.” .
“But I do have another job working….”
The good listener that I am cut her off again, “There is no such thing as part time youth ministry.” Seeing the glistening seriousness in my eyes she knew that I was not playing with semantics. A conversation that started off on the road to small talk suddenly exited toward Seriousville very quickly. I could see the relief, appreciation and validation she experienced as my words sunk in.
I have never met a youth minister who cares “part time” about young people.
I’ve never met a youthworker who loves kids only 20 hours a week.
I’ve never met a youth minister who is passionate only part of the time.
I’ve never met a youth minister who desires to help youth get part of the way to the heart of Jesus.
But I have on the other hand met lots and lots of youthworkers who are…
Paid part time.
Encouraged part time
Supported part time
Affirmed part time
Defended part time
Advocated for part time.
Mentored part time
Invested in part time
Appreciated part time.
But no, to this day I’ve never met a part time youthworker.
And I don’t foresee that day coming any time soon.
About Roy Petitfils
Thanks for posting this – I needed it today. I am one of those “part-timers” and have always said there is no such thing!
I am a recent seminary grad who has landed a part-time youth pastor post. This is my first time working “part-time (20hrs wk).” I am really struggling because of this “caring” stuff.
We are a church plant and I am starting from scratch. All 12 of my kids (4 from one family and one post-high school grad) are all church members. Then the majority of my students are females, with only 3 boys. One of which is a sixth grader who cries because his parents make him come, lol!
My struggle is with timing and relationships. Sunday amounts to 10 hour days; 5 hours doing admin; 5 hours study prep. I’m timed out.
I am trying to revamp my schedule to focus on relationships, but something has to give…not sure what and where?
Do you have any advice on the part-time schedule?
Roy while that is a true statement. I can say with honesty that my 17 years as someone who did not get paid for his part time efforts were more fruitful than the parish that hired me for what ended up to be a four year position. As a part timer I believe the validation of what was being accomplished throughout the parish, taking young people to Denver to see the Pope, Teens Encounter Christ, March for Life, National Catholic Youth Conference. Plus all of the ministry that happened at the local level. Definitely not part time but so worth it. My parents still live in the town where I did the part time youth ministry. I worked primarily with the high school youth and told the parents “If you would like junior high too then I either need some pay or you need to step up. One of our high school young people was listening as she shared with me at Christmas that she is teaching middle school and best of all doing junior high youth ministry. I was so excited for her. Thanks for your ministry. I saw Paula Mattix Wands post on Facebook that you were going to be in Alton and thought I would check it out.