The Maintenance of Mission

Our parish recently went through a revitalization of our vision. This led to a very successful capital campaign and a unified drive within the ministries of the parish. The tagline that kept our eyes focused on the vision was that we are moving from ‘Maintenance to Mission’. This idea is amazing, but often can be […]

Battling Burnout

When I was new into ministry I asked a priest if he had an advice for a new youth minister. “Take care of yourself,” he said. “You have to look out for yourself because no one else will.” I thought he might be exaggerating, after all I was working for a Church and anyone working […]

Taking A Lesson from C. S. Lewis

“I have no intention of explaining how the correspondence which I now offer to the public fell into my hands. There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy […]

Called to Greatness

Here’s the thing. Sometimes, I become unsatisfied with where I am. I’m unhappy with where God had placed me. I get restless. I ask God that if He wants to use me like He said He did, then why hasn’t led me to that place or that team? I complain to Him that I want to go out and […]

The Vital Need for Ritual

My shampoo bottle says lather, rinse, and repeat. That is some great advice for ministry. My wife and I celebrated our first Thanksgiving together at her parent’s home a year before we married. It was great, but didn’t feel exactly like Thanksgiving. They didn’t have mashed potatoes. The following year we journeyed to my parents […]

National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry – 5 Quick Takes

Last weekend, the team from Next Level Ministry was able to attend the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry (NCCYM). Over 3,000 people gathered to discuss how we as ministers and as a Church could better connect Christ to teens and families. Here are my 5 quick takes from the conference. Evangelization > Catechesis Bob […]

The Reflection You Didn’t Know You Needed

About a month ago, I was challenged by my spiritual director to examine and process my semester in ministry. In doing so, I’ve been able to go back and reflect on how God has been moving in my life. This semester was the busiest we’ve ever had, and has probably been the most successful as well. With […]

Take My Voice

Have you ever completely lost your voice before? If you’re active in ministry you know that your voice is one of the most important tools that you have at your disposal to share the Gospel.  How else are you supposed to give a testimony, lead an activity, or organize a group of people, even if it’s […]

The Missionary Life

I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into.   I guess I thought it would be just like any other job transition, or change, or promotion, where you’re given a new title and things shift a little bit. Just a little bit. What I didn’t realize, was that a slight change is never what […]

Comfortable Yet?

Usually when we have growth in our spiritual life, certain parts of ministry get easier.  Things that used to make us anxious become second nature. We work faster on things that used to take forever. What used to worry us is no longer a concern. This kind of comfort in ministry isn’t a bad thing; it’s just […]