Shawn has shared great advice on how to get a youth workers’ network started in your area! We don’t have an official one in my area (although reading his post made me think that we should!) but we do have a group that meets about once a month. We do an outreach event and a workcamp together each year. We also share resources, talk about books, scriptures and life, vent ministry frustrations and pray together. We’ve built friendships that go beyond our ministry connection. There is so much value in our time together!
The trick is to make it a priority. There are so many things filling up our schedules! It’s hard to prioritize. But I have found that spending time with fellow youthworkers is worth making time for. Even when I’m feeling overwhelmed and stress out … ESPECIALLY when I’m feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, I find refreshment in our time together. There’s nothing like being with a group of people who totally understand what life in youth ministry is like.
If you’re reading about the topic this week and thinking “It sounds great but I just don’t have time for that,” my advice to you is make time. You will benefit from it, both personally and in your ministry.
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Right on, Sara! People make time for things they really want to do. I always use the illustration if somebody were to offer an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii for us leaving a week from today we would do everything possible to make that happen. When we say we don't have time for something we are almost always saying it's not high enough on my priority list for me to make the time. I'm for time management, creating margins, boundaries and priorities but not having time is mostly not an authentic excuse.
So true Doug! The other important thing I'm learning is that I can't let other people dictate my priorities. Some people in the church may not think it's necessary for me to take time away from the office to hang with other youthworkers – but I can't let that stop me from making it a priority.
I totally agree Sara. I know that there are so many other youth workers in our town who simply just don't think that connecting with others is "important enough". I wish I could somehow share with them all of the experience, encouragement, knowledge, and resources I have gleaned from sharing life with other youth workers.
I see that here too and it bums me out! I wish I could get people to understand what they're missing!