The Life Span Of A Youth Minister—‘God Is There In The Midst Of Change’

By KRISTEN CRAWFORD, GB Youth Board

Published: November 20, 2003

MARIETTA—A friend, a leader, a catechist.

One of the most crucial roles in the youth group world is the youth minister.

Youth ministers are both stable in faith and influential. Whether they know it or not, teens look up to them. So what happens when a youth minister decides to leave his or her parish?

“Change is inevitable, but trust (that) God is there in the midst of that change, guiding and supporting. Trust God and everything else will take care of itself,” said Mike Ragan, the former youth minister at Holy Family Church in Marietta.

Ragan, now a religion teacher at St. Joseph School in Marietta, said his favorite thing about being a youth minister was “helping people grow closer to God by sharing my own gifts and faith journey.”

“It is really a blessing to be able to help people simply by sharing your walk with the Lord,” he said.

Ragan is well known to teens throughout the archdiocese, having served as the emcee for the annual Sonfest beach retreat for the past few years.

Bill Schreiner, former youth minister at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Kennesaw, has taken over the position of new youth minister at Holy Family.

Also a well-known face to archdiocesan teens, for several years Schreiner has been on the planning group for Steubenville Atlanta and has participated in other events, including Sonfest, World Youth Day 2000, Battles of the Bands and U.S Play Lock-Ins.

When asked what was his favorite part about being a youth minister, Schreiner’s answer was “that’s easy.”

“Have you ever seen the face on a teen when they realize that they have a lifelong friend in Jesus?” he said. “What can you not love?”

St. Catherine’s recently welcomed their new youth minister Joan Hennes.

Whether teens expect it to happen or not, the loss of a youth minister often seems to catch them off guard and shake up their youth group world.

Both Ragan and Schreiner had their own reasons for leaving their former positions, as does every youth minister.

Ragan left to use his gifts and talents in a new way, Schreiner wanted to return to his home parish, and both wanted to spend more time with their families.

Saying goodbye is always a tough part and it may even make some teens question their faith or become less involved in their parishes.

Nevertheless, for others it could have a reverse effect. Meg Hartmann, a junior at Harrison High School in Kennesaw and a parishioner at St. Catherine of Siena, said that the change in youth ministers “has strengthened my faith (and) has made me feel like there is a void and I want to do anything I can to make that void smaller.”

Schreiner and Ragan both expressed that the most difficult aspect of leaving was not being able to work with the core members and teens with whom they had formed strong friendships.

However, new people bring new ideas and that is something for both youth groups to anticipate.

Danielle Fusaro, a senior at Pope High School in Marietta and parishioner at Holy Family, said her new youth minister, Schreiner, is, “very active and is always thinking big” and she is looking forward to “the high tech aspects he loves to bring.”

Change also brings new leadership styles and new ways of doing things. Karen Crawford, a core member at Holy Family, believes communication is key.

“It is important to keep lines of communication open, to learn from each other, and to remember that we are all doing our best to serve God,” she said.

Ragan said it was a difficult decision to leave and gave teens sage advice.

“Don’t take it personally! I love my Holy Family teens very much and it was hard to leave,” he said. “Nevertheless, it was a change I needed to make. Changes like these need to happen and it is important for the teens to give the new youth minister time and support.”

Katie Hamilton, a senior at Pope High School and parishioner at Holy Family, tells teens who struggle with a change in leadership to hang in there.

“Stay strong and don’t give up on anyone,” she said. “Don’t let one bad experience keep you away either. Express your thoughts and opinions out loud and don’t be afraid.”

For youth ministers, Ragan believes that God is always in charge.

“Because youth ministry can be so demanding, it’s hard to know when it’s time for a change and when it’s time for rest,” he said. “Being burned out does not mean you have to get out. I do not mean to sound cryptic, but when it is time for you to go, God will open the right doors.”

Schreiner agrees.

“God has the plan. God lays the path below my feet, and all I have to do is take a step and trust in him completely. Trusting in Him is not always easy but by working together as a team, we can move forward and take that first step.”

It’s an invincible team with the key players being the youth minister, core leaders or other adult leaders, the teens, and, most importantly, the Holy Spirit.

Kristen Crawford, a Pope High School senior, belongs to Holy Family Church, Marietta.