I gathered with a small group last night to discuss the future of youth ministry in the parish. I've been thinking a lot about this subject in recent weeks, ever since our Youth Ministry Coordinator resigned.

I don't relate well personally to this area of ministry. Working with teens has always been a challenge for me, ever since my two years in the classroom, mainly teaching Grade 9 Math. It was bad time of my life, from which I ran screaming back into grad. school. I have learned quite well how to deal with adults, and I believe I am a  very effective teacher for that group. But getting and keeping the attention of teenagers has always eluded me.

My vice-principal once told me, "Robin, you're a very reasonable person. The trouble is, you expect everyone else to be as reasonable." I've been trying to get over this hurdle ever since.

One of the other reasons I have problems with youth ministry is that I don't connect to it on a "memory" basis—I was never really involved in it as a teenager. Instead, I did all the churchy things: serving, singing in the choir, reading lessons. I was in love with the liturgy, and to some extent, I still am. For me, Jesus is truly present in Word and Sacrament, and I don't need to play games with people. Not that there's anything wrong about having fun together, but my faith goes much deeper than that.

Am I too serious for my own good?
Should I do as once advised and "lighten up?"
And just how do I do that?