Ministry discernment begins with a
call received at baptism. This call comes from God to every baptized Christian.
Some folks would like to think that God dialed the wrong number and couldn't
possibly be calling them. They are wrong. God calls all of us to mission and
ministry.
The best thing about this call is that God has
already given us everything we need to answer it. The first thing we have to do
to answer this call is pick up the phone, metaphorically speaking. We do this by
saying yes to discipleship. Yes Lord, I want to do your will. Yes Lord, I will
follow where you lead.
Yes Lord, I accept the gifts that you have given me
and I promise to use them to build your Kingdom. Yes, Lord, Yes!
The call to mission and ministry means that everyone
is to participate in the mission of the Church. We are all called to evangelize
and help bring about God's Kingdom. In order to figure out the best way to serve
God and the Church you need to enter into a discernment process. Here are the
steps that I recommend. Please note that this is not the only way to discern nor
will this way be effective for everyone. This is what has worked for me.
Discerning God's will is a lifelong process. It
takes time, energy and constant reflection on who you are and what God wants
you to do.
- Acknowledge the call to mission and ministry received at your baptism.
- Embrace and proclaim your "Yes" to discipleship.
- Accept and grow in understanding of the gifts that God has given you.
- Ask God, in prayer, how he would like you to use your gifts.
- Reflect on your lived experience. Ask yourself: What do I like to do? What gives me energy? What makes me happy?
- Experiment with various ministries. Try to match your gifts to the needs of the community.
- Pay attention to your feelings as you minister. What feels right? What brings you joy and peace? What affirmations are you receiving while participating in ministry?
- Spend some quiet time reflecting on you ministerial experience. Use theological reflection to further unpack your experience.
- Talk to God about your feelings and experience. Ask God how he would like you to use your gifts.
- Take time to be still and listen to God's response.
- Talk to trusted friends about your experience. Listen to their feedback, affirmations and suggestions then take all of this back to prayer.
- Be still and listen.
- Continue to participate in ministry - matching your gifts to the needs of the community.
- Continue to practice theological reflection on your ministerial experience.
Discernment requires reflection on your lived
experiences. Sometimes, it is only in hindsight that we see how God is
forming and shaping us for ministry. For instance, I realized a few years
ago that I have always been a youth minister. As a child growing up in the
inner city of Baltimore, I would gather the younger children and supervise
their play on my front porch. I would bring out my toys for them to play
with and even provided snacks. We even put on little plays for the
neighborhood. I have always enjoyed being with young people. It is and was
something that came naturally and made me happy.
A few years ago I was given the opportunity to
work in the area of adult formation. I participated in this ministry for two
years. It was rewarding work. However, as much as I enjoyed that ministry
something was missing. I didn't have the same sense of peace and joy that
came when working with young people. I realized then that, although I have a
zeal for all ministry, I am the best me and more able to fully use my gifts
when working in the field of youth ministry. Youth ministry is not just
something I like to do; it is my calling. I can't not do it!
Knowing yourself is a big part of discernment.
When you find your calling; the place that God wants you to be -it just
feels right. Understanding the specific demands of a particular ministry
helps the discernment. In discerning a call to youth ministry, you will need
to consider the following:
- A youth minister has to be able to meet your people on their turf.
- A youth minister must know what the Church teaches and proclaims.
- A youth minister finds creative ways to present the Good News to young people.
- A youth minister helps young people become disciples of Christ and active members of the Church.
- A youth minister prays with and for the young church.
- A youth minister understands that young people are gifted and already belong to God.
- A youth minister understands that serving young people means more than just hanging out with them.
- A youth minister must be an advocate for youth in the community and parish.
- Serving young people means serving their families and engaging other adults as collaborators.
- Serving young people means always working on their behalf but not always working directly with them.
I love who I am and what I do. Both are gifts
from God. God has led me in my discernment of this ministry and placed me
where I belong. Thank you God!
Margaret is the coordinator of youth
ministry formation for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She is a native of
Baltimore and was educated in the Baltimore city school system. She holds a
BA in economics from the University of Maryland and a MA in pastoral
ministry from the Washington Theological Union in Silver Spring, Maryland.
She is currently working on a MA in urban ministry. Margaret has done
numerous workshops for youth and youth ministers on both the parish and
diocesan level.
