Top 12 Signs You’re a Youth Minister

Courtesy of APeX Ministries, here are the 12 top signs you're a youth minister.  Enjoy!

12.  You've responded to the question, "How did the event go?" with "No one died."
11.  You've had pizza for dinner 5 nights in one week.
10.  Your boss refers to you as, "The one who plays with the kids."
9.    You've felt like a failure because you can’t play the guitar.
8.    90% of your wardrobe consists of conference and work camp t-shirts.
7.    Your daughter can’t do her multiplication tables but knows all the hand   motions   to "Awesome God."
6.    You’ve used the phrase, "I don’t want to see any purple."
5.    You have 400 paper plates in your office, but can’t find a writing utensil.
4.    You’ve been asked the question, "What are you going to do when you   grow up?"
3.    You’ve responded, "I am never going to grow up."
2.    You’re always asked to say grace because “You are the professional."
1. You LOVE the work you do!

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      

Why We Do What We Do (as Youth Ministers)

This past weekend, we held our annual Spirit Day rally for the grade 7 students of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.  Themed “Almighty”, it was our biggest Spirit Day ever with 2,100 youth and adult participants converging at the Chandos Pattison Auditorium in Surrey over the weekend.

We’ve been very deliberate, intentional, and strategic in our Spirit Day planning since its inception in 2005.  In some respects it has become the “piece de resistance” of our Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry given its size, scope, and impact. 

There are so many elements to the event that remind me of why I serve in youth ministry and how blessed I am to serve in the Archdiocese of Vancouver.  For instance:

• When I see the joy and hope in the faces of the grade 7 students...a true spirit of wonder, awe, and excitement to be there - I’m reminded of why I serve in youth ministry.
• When the manager of the venue affirms us (with tears welling up in her eyes) by stating that she wished she had events like these when she was a grade 7 student – I’m reminded of why I serve in youth ministry.
• When our final tally shows 175 volunteers for the weekend with a large percentage of them being past Spirit Day attendees who want to give back - I’m reminded of why I serve in youth ministry.
• When young adults write an intelligent and entertaining script that springs to life on stage via the Stage Team complete with costumes, choreography, and genuine emotion - I’m reminded of why I serve in youth ministry.
• When members of the Logistics Team stand outside all day in the cold rain just to make the experience a tad more enjoyable for the participants - I’m reminded of why I serve in youth ministry.
• When our Spirit Team superheroes are hoarse and dog-tired because of 2 days of screaming, shouting, playing and singing - I’m reminded of why I serve in youth ministry.
• When a parent I’ve known for 13 years thanks us for the opportunities we’ve given her kids and tells me that I literally saved one of her children by my witness and invitation – I’m reminded of why I serve in youth ministry.

I know that is sounds like I’m bragging.  In fact, I probably am.

But I give all the glory, praise and honour to God.  For through Him, with Him, and in Him, all things are possible.

He is Almighty indeed.

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 
 

Rejoice in the Lord Always

Graphic by Faye McCreedy, Archdiocese of Vancouver

We (the Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver) held our annual high school youth rally this past weekend and it was a wonderful weekend of faith and fellowship.  The theme of Youth Day was "Rejoice" based on Philippians 4:4 and the keynote speakers, musicians and guest presenters helped the participants explore joy as being at the heart of Christian living.

The theme was inspired by Pope Benedict XVI's message for the annual World Youth Day celebration of the Catholic Church.  In his message of March 2012, he speaks about the joy of faith and points out:

1. Our hearts are made for joy;
2. God is the source of true joy;
3. Preserving Christian joy in our hearts;
4. The joy of love;
5. The joy of conversion;
6. Joy at times of trial; and
7. Witnesses of joy.

Read the whole letter to young people here.  It's a wonderful read.


"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Phil 4:4)



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.  Learn more about him at http://www.claytonimoo.com or follow him @claytonimoo