Of Becoming

Where do we begin?

This is a question we ask ourselves at the outset of every great new adventure or project. It’s also the question that surfaces in moments of deep grief or overwhelming anxiety. It follows us throughout our lives, stemming alternately from a place of fear or raw excitement.

I found myself working through this exact question at the start of every new role I took on in church ministry, whether as a youth minister, young adult minister, Sacrament director, or communications specialist. I learned very quickly that if you’re lucky, your predecessor will have left behind a roadmap. Unfortunately, seamless transitions are a rarity in church ministry.

So, what do you do? You hunt for breadcrumbs to reconstruct a rough image of what was done before and try to understand why it was done. Having navigated this on multiple occasions, here are five takeaways to help you establish your footing, especially if you are a green minister.

1. Show Up and Ask Questions

It sounds simple, but we often hesitate to ask questions because we want to appear as though we have it all figured out. Feeding into this insecurity only hinders our capacity to thrive.

By showing up with curiosity, you will:

• Learn the rhythm of the parish staff, volunteers, and parishioners.
• Uncover historical context regarding how the previous person ran the ministry.
• Discover hidden resources, like electronic records or past materials, to help you map out the upcoming ministry year.

Ultimately, asking questions allows you to learn the true heartbeat of the church.

2. Don’t Compare Yourself to Your Predecessor

For better or worse, we are all guilty of this. When we step into a new role, we face an internal pressure to prove we are “better” than the person before us. Depending on the parish culture, that pressure can compound quickly.

I once stepped into a role where the previous minister left on short notice. The community had a fierce, “ride-or-die” loyalty which is beautiful, but it put me squarely under the interrogation spotlight. Families were wary; I had to quite literally prove I was worthy of their trust. It only changed when they realized how genuinely I cared for their teens. In the meantime, I spent way too much time sizing myself up against my predecessor.

Don’t do that. Every person is unique, irreplaceable, and unrepeatable; both you and your predecessor. You are called to this specific season and time for a purpose.

3. Fumble Along the Way AND Just Own It

Accountability is everything. If I could count all the mistakes I made when starting out, I wouldn’t just be eating a slice of humble pie, I’d be eating the whole pie and then some. As someone tempted to hold myself to a standard of perfection only Jesus can meet, this was a massive learning curve.

You will make mistakes. You will step on a coworker’s toes, upset a parent, say the wrong thing to a young adult, and yes, you absolutely will have to apologize profusely to the maintenance staff at some point. (We love you, maintenance staff; we know you put up with a lot!)

The key is to own it completely. Don’t justify, rationalize, or defend. Nothing renders an apology insincere faster than following a “sorry” with:

• “I just thought…”
  
• “I just wanted…”
  
• “I only meant to…”

The person you are apologizing to isn’t necessarily asking for an explanation as much as an acknowledgement of the errors made. Say what you mean, and mean what you say: “I apologize for [fill in the blank], and I will take measures to avoid this happening again.” Then, follow through with a plan. (Like notifying the maintenance staff well in advance of that cafeteria food fight you’re planning, and asking how to make cleanup easier for them).

4. You Don’t Have to Go at It Alone

Even Indiana Jones had help along the way. Yet, we often shoulder the massive weight of ministry in isolation, forgetting that Christ explicitly invites us to rest in Him and take up His yoke together. You were made for communion, not isolation and that applies to your professional life too.

The resources are out there if you look for them. (In fact, that is exactly why Of Becoming Ministry exists: to help leaders build efficient strategies while honoring the whole person).

• Look to ministry networks: If your parish uses programs like Life Teen, reach out to your regional contact for mentorship.
• Seek out coaching: There are incredible Christian and Catholic coaches specializing in personal and professional growth for parish staff.
• Look within your Diocese: Check for local mentor/mentee programs or connect deeply with your immediate team.

5. Remember Who Called You

Most importantly, don’t forget who put you here. The Lord desires you in this ministry, in this exact season, for a reason greater than you can fully see right now.

I am convinced that every minister experiences a version of the Dark Night of the Soul. (Maybe not to the level of St. Teresa of Calcutta or in fact yes to that level.) Working constantly in the presence of Christ can sometimes blind us to Him, like staring at the sun so long that your vision goes spotty. We charge forward on our own strength, land flat on our behinds, and wonder what happened. Then we realize we never actually sat down to ask the Lord what He wanted.

He is the core of your mission. Stay plugged into the Source. Prioritize Mass, confession, scripture, and prayer journaling. You don’t have to do it all every single day, but protect that intentional time. When you do, you will watch amazing things happen by His hand.

Moving Into the Unknown

There is no single “perfect” way to start a new ministry position, but there are certainly better ways. These five steps are just a few of many to come that will help you build a foundational launchpad; a true “ground zero” where your ministry can take root and eventually spread like wildfire. So lean into the question, “Where do I begin?” Do not be afraid. Trust the process, map out the way forward, and welcome the beautiful mystery Of Becoming.