The nature of the (youthworker) beast.
Some are born great youthworkers.
Others achieve great youthwork.
Others have youthwork thrust upon them.
The more I talk to volunteer youthworkers, the more the last one seems to be true for so many people involved in Church based youth work. One of my volunteers here has even admitted that she thought she was waaay too gifted to be 'stuck with' the youth, and only did it, because no-one else would - but now she is soooooo passionate about working with young people, and how important they are - and actually I think she is probably one of life's real naturals both with the young people, and with youth work in general. She now feels that this is her ministry, her calling.
I wonder if too often volunteers feel scared, under equipped and intimidated, and feel like the youthwork is thrust upon them, something to do out of duty. I hope that those who feel like that can really experience the joy and the challenge of working with young people, and catch the bug. Maybe that is what changes the youthwork - moving from feeling under-equipped and burdened, to having it as a passion? Moving from 'we'll do something because we really ought to provide for the youth, and no -one else will,' into 'lets put the best we can into these people, because they are just so brilliant they deserve the best!'
I don't know, just some ponderings.
As for me?
I'm aiming for the middle one!
posted by Kathryn at 10:21 AM
2 Comments:
Good comments on volunteers. Part of the problem is about not using volunteers according to thier gifting - so that even if the role is within the area of "youth" they serve according to thier gifts -e.g teaching, admin., cooking, driving etc. and are seen as a key part of the work. So often volunteers are "dumped" on to do stuff they're not equipped for.
The question in my mind from your posts is - how do we move them into being passionate (moving from feeling under-equipped and burdened, to having it as a passion?) - or does it either happen or not as they serve?
love your post. Wonder if the history of poor recruitment in youthwork counts against us. So often in the past people perceived you had to be the all singing and dancing type of character - bit like wonder woman or superman. Thankfully that tide is turning somewhat.
In response to Pete, think they catch the passion as they serve - taste and see that the "youth" are good!!!
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