In this episode, Terrence, Dorothy, and Huey share observations and insights about volunteers in the context of Asian-American youth ministry. The roundtable tackles expectations, challenges, and cultural shifts while sprinkling in personal anecdotes. The episode concludes with pastoral encouragements that connect with parent partnership.
Links:
- Order The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School Asian American Edition.
- Join us for our Asian American preconference before the opening of our annual Rooted conference on October 24-26
- Asian American Ministry Resources on Rooted
- Follow @therootedministry on Instagram
Timestamps:
Personal Introductions (0:00) Terrence Shay, Huey Lee, Dorothy Lau
Episode Topic: Youth Ministry Volunteers – Expectations and Hardships (1:52)
Terrence highlights the essential partnership that youth pastors have with their volunteers. Dorothy and Huey describe their volunteers’ demographics and organizational structures.
Volunteer expectations and profile (7:27)
Huey addresses the priority for all volunteers to be healthy church members, seek balanced lives, and value relationships personally and corporately. Dorothy highlights valuable skill sets that are helpful to working with students post-COVID.
How has youth ministry changed for volunteers? (16:27)
Huey identifies a sense of inadequacy and burnout among volunteers. Dorothy mentions the busyness and apathy of students today. Huey adds pastoral care for volunteers as a priority. Terrence revisits the impact of the pandemic on shaping student behavior.
Pastoral encouragement for volunteers (26:02)
Huey appreciates youth ministry volunteers and reminds them to be faithful while trusting God’s timing for fruit. Dorothy affirms that we are all a work in progress through joys and sorrows, and charges volunteers to take care of themselves as well. Terrence points out the priority of partnership with parents to build disciple-making relationships.
Closing (34:25)