Collaborating with Colleagues for Deeper Connections

Pastor Connie Weiss, Pastor Karen Jewell-vanBuskirk, Pastor Doug Holtz, Pastor Crystal Lee gather for a confirmation intensive.

As clergy appreciation month continues - let’s give it up for the colleagues who collaborate with colleagues to support and energize ministry. That’s what’s happening in the Oshkosh Conference. It’s happening to revitalize and reenergize confirmation ministry. But we might also endeavor to guess that this collaboration is strengthening support for pastoral ministry, too.

According to a Barna Research poll conducted in November 2021 on the current state of pastors, 38% of pastors had thought about quitting full time ministry in the preceding year. That’s nearly two in five pastors. If you look at the overall health of clergy persons - it was noted in the study that only one in three pastors is considered “healthy” in terms of well-being.

Here’s an interesting coincidence - the CDC did a survey of health and well-being of high school students and noted that 37% of U.S. high school students report regular mental health struggles largely due to pandemic induced anxiety, stress, and depression.

Although the surveys have different sources and were conducted with different people and in a different pool - seeing those numbers sitting a single percentage point apart from one another is an interesting coincidence - especially at a time when many have voiced concern about what it will take to restrengthen youth ministry connections and the connection perceived by many - that if the pastor is a bright enough light - they surely can “bring back all of the families and youth.” And yet, as many have testified, pastor burnout is at an all time high.

A working group was recently convened in our synod to begin planning for the SYG, the Senior High Youth Gathering, held next month at camp. While doing the work of planning, the leaders on the team voiced the desire to call each church in our synod to learn who was doing the work of providing ministry with and for youth in each congregation. What they found was surprising. While some congregations are blessed with staff persons designated toward youth and ministry with families and young people - and others are existing on the power of volunteers - for many congregations in our synod, the pastors are considered the sole source of youth ministry.

One pastor recently shared, “I depend on the synod to help support youth ministry.” As the youth team of our synod re-builds - one of the questions they are asking is what is needed more locally, on the conference level, to support pastors and students who are eager for deeper and more meaningful youth ministry in the church.

Here’s where we get to the title of this blog.

In early October, Pastor Crystal Lee of Church of Our Savior (Fond du Lac), Pastor Connie Weiss of Christ Our Savior’s (Oshkosh), Pastor Doug Holtz of Calvary (Oshkosh), and Pastor Karen Jewell-vanBuskirk of St. Andrew’s (Oshkosh), along with their confirmation students - gathered for a confirmation intensive/lock in to spend time in the small catechism. The pictures and the post on social media tell an amazing story of connection. Here’s the plan: the four classes will meet twice a year for overnight intensives focusing on Luther’s small catechism. The larger group will also participate in special projects, fun activities, and periodic visits to different churches and places of worship.

Prior to the pandemic, the shape of youth ministry was shifting seismically. Something wasn’t working - no matter what was planned - activity based youth ministry wasn’t cutting it. People didn’t show for pizza alone. Something deeper and more lasting was called for: actual relationships and emotional warmth rooted in gospel centered ministry. No longer was the ratio one adult for every five kids holding. Now - the ratio is flipped: in order to make an impact, kids need five healthy caring adults outside of their home to help them feel connected in loving faith communities. These loving adults conveying Christ to youth is what makes the difference.

That’s where this clergy collaboration has us inspired. Not only do these colleagues find support in one another - they’ve just provided for their confirmation kids three (plus) other caring adults to help shape the faith of children. That’s worth celebrating and even more, worth deeply appreciating. Pastor Karen, Pastor Doug, Pastor Crystal, and Pastor Connie - well done! God bless your ministry with and for these kids and families.

Pastor Jenn Pockat
Associate to the Bishop
Director for Communication and Community