When I started my church ministry apprenticeship in September 2005, I didn’t expect to still be doing youth ministry. I intended to gain some work experience with people and train to be a probation officer. One year turned into three and a half, I moved church and suddenly I was leading the youth ministry. A lot has changed in that time. I’ve committed to long term youth ministry, I’ve met my wife Lisa and we’re expecting our first child in October.
During my ten years of youth ministry the most important thing I’ve come to see is for young people to know what Jesus has done for them. More and more, I realise that this means that they need to see Jesus in the Bible so that God can speak and reveal who he is to them. I hope that I’m getting better at showing young people the Jesus from the Bible so it’s sharp like the sword we’re told it is.
As far as the day goes, I aim to get up about six so that I can be mentally well prepared for when I start work. I help Lisa to get ready for work by making her breakfast and lunch as well as eating my own breakfast. I love Breakfast; I’d eat cereal all the time if I was allowed. Now I’m 30, I’m trying to be healthier in my cereal choices, but I do still love Coco Pops. With the arrival of our baby in the coming months our routine will no doubt change as we all adjust to live as a family of three.
Before heading to church, I spend time reading my Bible and praying. Currently I’m trying to read through the whole Bible which is a real challenge. Not being the most natural reader, I’m really thankful for David Suchet’s Audio Bible. He reads and I follow along. I’m loving though the Old Testament which is full of God’s promises. I almost can’t wait for Jesus to arrive at the start of the New Testament, but I’m confident there’s more to come before I get there.
I’m learning that I need to keep asking God to help me and sustain me when I am overwhelmed
I start work at 9am. I go through emails and work out what I need to do for the day. First thing Monday is our staff meeting and after this I try to plan the whole week, so I can use my time effectively. The aim is not be overwhelmed by the vast amount of preparation, reading, meetings and admin.
I’m learning that I need to keep asking God to help me and sustain me when I am overwhelmed. I try to remember what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-29 - ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’ - so I can keep reminding myself that Jesus sustains me even if I feel inadequate.
I use the morning as a time of preparation to study the Bible passage I’ll be teaching. I want the young people to understand the passage, but I also want them to see how it’s relevant to their life. Doing this in the morning allows ideas time to develop in my head during the day. After a quick cup of coffee and a check of emails, I usually start work on something different, and this gives me a change of mental scenery which is helpful.
I head home at lunchtime to grab a sandwich. I think my love of sandwiches is starting to eclipse my love of cereal, but maybe I love the two equally. I always try and have a good break at lunch so that I’ve got enough energy for the rest of the day.
over the years I’ve learned not to take yourself too seriously
Afternoons can mean mild panic when I’ve got plans for the evening. Matthew 11:28-29 again! The time I get home often depends on what is going on in the evening. I try to have dinner ready for when Lisa gets home at six so that we can eat together before I head off to youth group or to meet one of my leaders. I try not to be out every evening – it’s important to spend quality time together as a couple.
Recently I’ve been away on a CYFA camp with nearly 150 leaders and young people. Frustrations can come up unexpectedly; I was out of action for nearly the whole week as I came down with tonsillitis on day one. Despite that, the best part of the week was that two of the group members (who came from our church) made a commitment to follow Jesus. Seeing young people making these commitments has been the best part of the last ten years. It makes everything worthwhile.
The hardest part has been the opposite. Spending time chatting with an individual, teaching them about the Jesus of the Bible, beginning to see a change, and suddenly, for no reason whatsoever, they’re no longer interested. It’s easy to think - ‘what have I done wrong?’, but it’s not down to me: God the Father is the Lord of the Harvest. All I can do is what I’ve been asked to do. I find it’s important to remember the encouraging stories so that I don’t give up!
Over the years I’ve learned not to take yourself too seriously. I remember on one weekend away, early on a Sunday morning, the older girls invaded the boy’s dorms, turned on a hoover, and pushed it into my room. I can’t say I reacted well. Looking back, I realise they only did it because they liked me. Why do young people think like this?
When I’m asked why I chose youth ministry, the honest answer really is that I fell in. I thought I was heading for being a probation officer, so I guess if I hadn’t found myself doing this job, I’d have been doing something like that, but who knows.
I aim to be in bed by half ten, although depending on how the evening’s gone, I may be buzzing or need to crash. For all the ups and downs, youth ministry is fantastic. My advice would be to keep going, you’ll see the rewards and get better at it – which can’t be a bad thing!
Andy Williamson, Youth Minister at St John’s Church Woking
