Un-intended consequences

At some level, for us to have formed a non-profit youth formation ministry we have to believe that what we have to offer is good. On top of that, for us to hope that we will be hired to replace existing formation ministries in a parish we also have to believe that the service we offer would benefit a parish. However, no matter how well phrased the previous statements appear, the bottom line is that the people who were providing this service before we were hired hear the following statement: “we are better at forming youth than you are”.
No matter how we say it, no matter what steps we take, this is the un-intended consequence of our ministry…pain. We DO NOT intend to tell people that their ministry is ineffective, inept or useless, but often this is what is heard by those people that we truly hope to work with in the future. We absolutely need them to effectively co-create a better program to form the youth of their parish.
Those who have been in the trenches working tirelessly, spending their own money and using their precious free time to form youth are heroes. Taking the parable of the talents, it is obvious that they did not bury their talents but invested them wisely to which God’s only response could be “Well done, my good and faithful servant” Mt 25:21 We must find ways to honor them, while at the same time lifting their ministries up to new levels.
As obvious as it sounds, over the last few months we have learned that the process of taking on a new ministry involves much more than just having a good idea and good intentions. It has at its core a mission of love towards those that have gone before us; it has to be one that is taken with great care. We are here to help build up The Church; we love This Church. How do we work to build upon the foundation they have laid without giving the appearance of taking over and kicking them out?
Again the answer is obvious; we must love as God loves, without qualification, without question, without reservation right where we are. It is a parent’s love, unconditional but at the same time calling their child to be more. God loves each and every imperfect being while simultaneously calling us to the perfect example of His Son. This is our goal; this is how we respect those who have come before us while working together to better form those that God has entrusted to us.
Knowing this, does that mean we will be perfect in the future? Probably not. Each one of us has a trail of those behind us that we have unintentionally hurt, only to do it again but in a different way. I pray that all of us continue learn from the missteps of our past and get better at loving as God loves.
payday loans direct lender only

*/