The Why Files

The average youth worker, I'm told, lasts 2 years in their job before burn-out (or reality) sets in.  The average inner city youth worker?  6 months.  I don't know where these stats come from, how current they are or if they're even legit.  They may well be the urban legends youth profs tell you to scare you as you contemplate your debt load from that youth ministry major!

But I know there's a kernel of truth there: ministry in general is wearying.  Ministry to youth comes with it's own set of trials and expectations.  Add to that the pressures of inner city stresses and many start with the best of intentions, but 10 years later, there's not so many familiar faces left.

One of the most valuable lessons I was ever taught was to start a "Why File" for those of us in ministry.

The Why File

Every now and again we have those golden moments that give us glimpses of glory.  The moments where everything is suddenly worth it.  The moments where we say "THIS is why I'm here!"  There are seasons when we have moments like that almost daily, and seasons where we go months or years without a single moment like that.  It is for that reason, whenever such a moment presents itself, WRITE IT DOWN and file it away.  I know people who have a literal file in the filing cabinet marked as such, others keep a blog, a photo album, paint, or an eclectic bulletin board.  I'm more of a journaller myself, but regardless what your "Why File" looks like, the principle stays the same.

It's fun to record those moments, but more importantly, it becomes necessary to have a document of those moments when God seems far away.  Are you questioning your calling?  Take a look at your Why File.  Read through it.  Are you discouraged?  Pull it out.  Are you wondering if you've made any different at all?  Glance through that Why File.  None of us are immune to discouragement, and having a little file at your fingertips to remind you of the good moments can make a world of a difference!  So go ahead, think of a time when you last felt it was "all worth it."  Write it down, and tuck it away, because we all have times when motivation or inspiration dries up.