This past year has been one of the most eye opening years of my life in ministry. Now, I am not just talking about youth ministry, but ministry as a whole. Ministry is something that every person is called to in their life. Ministry, to me, is encouraging others to create a personal relationship with Christ through service, prayer, and the sharing of God's word and our own personal relationship with God to others. Recently, I have been inspired to minister to everyone around me in so many different ways. I mean you see such holy people like Pope Francis who is not only preaching the Gospel, but is living it. He especially calls each of us to be charitable and servants to those who may not have anything. The question is: Are we called to be exactly like Pope Francis? Not exactly.
Now this is when all the people who work in ministry are like Jake what are you talking about. I think you have lost it. (which I probably have) But the reason I say not exactly is because ministry is different for every single person. Seeing the difference in our Popes is a prime example. Pope Francis has been that example to how we should go out and support the poor. Pope Benedict was a great example of how a person should live a prayerful life and he continues to be that example today as he has dedicated the rest his life to prayer. These two holy people held the same position, but approached ministry in two different ways. Both preached the gospel. Both lead our church towards God. Both were prime examples of how we should live our life. Both approached ministry in different ways.
Like I said previously, ministry should be part of every single person's life, but ministry should be made your own. A lot of times people question the way I approach youth ministry at my parish in Juneau. They see me acting like a fool with my teens and playing a lot of games. While I talk to my teens I tell a lot of stories about my life and never shy from showing emotion. (Yes I do look like a crazy man in youth group) The only thing people fail to see is those times inside and outside of youth group that I get to talk to my teens about Catholic teachings on a more personal level. Those are the moments I cherish the most and come to find important to me in my ministry. I could try to copy all the other youth groups I have been to or helped out with, but then it wouldn't fit me or my group. Anyone who tells you that there is only one way to minister to teens is wrong. The only constant I have found within ministry is the teachings of the Catholic Church. How we get that to the people around us is all on our own.
Ministry is what you make it. Some people may think that I'm just the crazy youth minister in Juneau, but I know I am doing God's will in the way he created me to do it. I'm not suppose to be a priest right now or go out and fully dedicate my life to feeding the hungry. Right now I am suppose to be here in Juneau and helping teens develop a relationship with Christ. God calls each of us to make disciples of all nations. Each of us are called to make those disciples in our own way.
