At the beginning of each month, I gather with 4-5 other youth ministers from my area for a network meeting. Being the furthest out from the rest of my fellow youth workers, I typically have to get up super bright and early and rush to make it on time for breakfast together, and let's be real here, I'm almost always late. The mix of having Brazilian blood, being a mom to a toddler that I have to drop off at daycare first and just plain old not being a morning person gets me every time. But the effort is SO worth it. Let me share with you why I am incredibly thankful for the group of people called CrossNet that I get to have coffee with each month.
1. Sharing the Load of Ministry & Life
The ministry life is hard. Most of the youth workers at my network's table, including myself, have had seasons where we could all say we were spent, drained, exhausted. I honestly believe there's no better place to say those hard-to-admit and scary words, " I'm burnt out" than with people who are right there, doing the same work that you are. No one can fully understand the call to and burden of ministry better than those who are in it themselves. CrossNet has become our safe place where we can come to vent, celebrate and even mourn together when the going gets tough.
2. Partnering Together to Advance the Kingdom
You know what's one of the most awesome things about being in a network? Doing things for to advance the Kingdom together! Just last week one of the youth pastors and I put on a late nighter where we invited other youth groups and had 112 students hear the Gospel! It was such a great opportunity to come together and do something that we wouldn't have been able to do alone. Our network is constantly sharing ideas, nerf guns and spurring one another on in ministry.
3. Friends
Like I said before, it's hard to find people who really get what you do. The people in my network have become friends. People that we can seek out at regional youth ministry events to sit with. Fellow moms and parents that can commiserate over the lack of sleep that parenting brings. People that we can let in to know ourselves and our stories.
4. Advice
Looking for advice on how to ask your church for a raise? Need to know just how many nerf guns you need for a battle? Can't seem to find a guest speaker or band for your retreat? Youth ministry networks hold answers to questions like these and more. The people seated around the table have a plethora of knowledge to share.
5. Keep's Youth Ministry Fresh
A network group is a fantastic place to springboard new ideas for youth events and retreats. It's also a place where you can get opinions on curriculum from people who are working within similar contexts. We are always discussing what is working for us and what isn't. It's been super helpful to get feedback on new curriculum before taking the dive to spend youth ministry budget on it.
So fellow youth workers of New England, I hope that I was able to give some helpful insight as to why making the effort to be an active part of your network or find one to join is worth it. Don't sit back and try to go at this alone anymore, there are tons of ministry networks in New England where I'm sure there's a seat waiting for you at the table. And if you're in the South Boston/ Norfolk county area, come join CrossNet!
Ana is the Youth Ministry Leader for Trinity Community Church in Norwood, MA. She has a passion to see this generation arise and find their full potential through Jesus Christ. Inside/Out Student Ministries caters to Junior High and Senior High Students. Connect with Ana here.