Tonight I will be going to watch our Vancouver Whitecaps host the LA
Galaxy at BC Place in some MLS (Major League Soccer) action. There has been a considerable buzz around the
city for the last couple of days because of one player: David Beckham.
One may argue that Beckham’s best soccer days are behind him (being
left off the British Olympic Soccer Team is a clear indication) but his appeal is
undeniable: along with Tiger Woods he is arguably the world’s most renown athlete. And despite the Galaxy also having all-stars
Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane on its roster, the Galaxy goes as Beckham goes.
So it’s not surprising that almost all of the media focus has been on
Beckham – it’s even triggered a debate as to whether or not they should open up
more seats for the game that’s officially sold out. It got me thinking about what it would be
like to be one of the other Galaxy players; to have the media circus follow the
team wherever you went. Would I enjoy
it? Would I be resentful or jealous? Would I accept it as part of the job?
I remember my first few years in youth ministry at my home parish of
St. Paul in Richmond. I was surrounded
by an awesome team of leaders and blessed by a youth ministry coordinator who
trusted me despite my relative newness in the Catholic faith (I came into the
Catholic Church in April 1993 and was part of the youth ministry team by that
fall).
In my excitement, enthusiasm, and now admitted ignorance, I wanted to
be involved in EVERYTHING. I wanted to
be in every skit. I wanted to deliver
every teaching or testimony. I wanted to
make the announcements at Mass. I wanted
to be known as the best small group leader.
I wanted to lead every prayer service.
I equated being the best youth minister to being the most popular youth
minister; thus I wanted to be the most popular youth ministry leader at the
parish. Basically, I wanted to be the
David Beckham of my parish youth ministry.
Notice how I “wanted” to be all of these things...but I certainly didn’t
“need” to be them all. In terms of “Christian
years”, I was by far the youngest and least experienced member of the team. It’s almost comical now...19 years
later...thinking about what a pain I must have been to work with. Certainly I
had some decent ideas but scattered among them I’m sure were plenty of bad
ones. I’m so grateful that my peers were
patient, understanding, and most importantly, humble.
Looking back, I certainly don’t regret how things turned out: this
December I will be celebrating my 10th year working for the
Archdiocese of Vancouver as its Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult
Ministry. But I do regret how I may have
made some people feel, especially if they felt that I was too selfish and/or
arrogant. Over the years, I’ve learned
how to delegate, how to trust others, and to humbly accept that other people are
simply better than me in certain areas.
In essence, I’ve learned to “get over myself”...although some would argue
that I still haven’t mastered that elusive skill. :p
That’s why the best youth ministries are the ones that are run by teams
of people and not just one person; where one person will be weak another will
be strong. It takes a variety of
individuals to minster to and with the many young people in the parish. It takes a multitude of people to be able to
respond and relate to the many needs of youth.
And it takes an entire team of leaders, bonded by faith, to lead young
people closer to Christ.
After all, there is no “I” in “TEAM”.
And it takes an entire village to raise a child.
Clayton
Imoo is husband to Gail and father to sons Sean Isaiah and Jacob
Isaac and daughter Kayla Marie. He has served as the Director of
the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Vancouver for the past ten years, helping parishes
develop their own youth and young adult ministries. When not
doing ministry, Clay enjoys spending time with his family, playing
music, playing sports, playing naptime, and writing blogs on
topics such as family, faith, and the Vancouver Canucks. Learn
more about him at http://www.claytonimoo.com or follow him @claytonimoo
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