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For the most part these will be posted in no particular order, but not so for this one. The first person to answer my eleven questions is first for a reason. He is an incredible man, and he has been a close friend and mentor to me for the past seven years. I am honored to shine the first spotlight on him.
Name: Joe Dvorak
Number of years in ministry: Approximately 30 years. Don’t know for sure.
Past incarnations of ministry:
I began as a high school catechist for our parish about 30 years ago. I then accepted the position of volunteer DRE and shortly there after had the position of CYM added to it. I did that for on a volunteer basis for approximately 20 years. I eventually also became the director of RCIA and director of Adult formation. Then about 11 years ago, I was hired as the director of youth ministry for the Diocese of Davenport and served in that position for nine and a half years.
Current incarnation of ministry:
I was ordained a deacon 4 years ago. I am currently serving as the Parish Life Administrator for our parish, Immaculate Conception in
Colfax
,
IA.
I am also the CYM for the parish.
What else should we know about you (education, family, etc.)?
I don’t know as there is anything else you should know but I guess I can share some things. I have a wonderful wife, Peggy. We have been married for 36 years and she has been a tremendous support throughout my ministry. I have put her through hell (particularly the deaconate training) but she has borne it all with good humor (most of the time). We actually do the youth ministry for the parish together and she is the music minister for our parish so she does have a ministry life of her own. I have two sons, one who is 34 and single and one who is 26 and married to a wonderful girl. I finally have a daughter but no grandchildren yet—we wait in joyful hope. Besides prayer, I keep my spiritual balance by gardening. I love to dig around in the dirt and help things grow.
What is one thing few people know about you?
Really can’t think of anything. Not much interesting or secret about me.
In your experience, what is the most significant blessing of serving in youth ministry?
It may seem a bit trite or obvious, but it has to be the people. I have gotten to know so many wonderful folks, both youth and adults in my ministry. It has been just a tremendous joy and blessing. I don’t get to see the people out of the diocese much any more but I treasure the memories of working with them. I still get to work with the folks in the diocese however and that is such a blessing.
In your experience, what is the most significant challenge of serving in youth ministry?
I think the most significant challenge is to remain faithful to what we know to be the truth in a society that is ever more secular and ever more caught up in a culture of death. It can become tempting to water down the truth in order to attract youth. It also can become tempting to abandon some of our rich traditions and replace them with “contemporary” practices that we think will be more attractive to kids. We get caught up in the number game—how many kids were at youth group this week. And of course, we face the challenge of the mega churches who offer programs with a lot of flash and noise and little substance. But we can’t give into those temptations. My favorite truth: Jesus said to feed his sheep, he never asked us to count them.
What has been the thing that has surprised you most about your ministry?
That I have ended up where I am. Wow, what an amazing journey! It certainly was in no way intentional. It just developed. Things needed doing and so I would get the necessary training and help to get them done. It just grew. If you had told me 30 years ago what my ministry would be like in 30 years, I would have laughed heartily and then ran for my very life. But God provides the necessary strength and courage when needed. As they say (whoever they are), God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called and that is so very true in my case.
Share a ministry memory that helps you persevere in the dry times.
Don’t know if I can think of just one. Ministry is made up all of the little events and rewards. It seems that about the time you are drained and just can’t minister anymore God sends a message that it is all worth it. Maybe it is a break though with kid who is struggling with big issues, maybe it is helping a family through a tragedy or loss, maybe it is just spending some time in quiet prayer with someone. These are the things that make it all worthwhile.
What is one issue or emerging question in the field of youth ministry that you would like to see addressed?
I think it is the same for all ministry fields, professionalism and justice. Ministry must be seen as a professional field and we must demand that our ministers be formed and competent. We also must demand that our church deal justly with its ministers once they are formed and competent, paying a fair wage, supporting them in their formation, and providing security. The competency standards that are being developed by the ministry associations are a big step in the right direction. We need to continue develop the professionalism of youth ministers and all ministers and demanding justice in employment issues.
Who is one mentor or role model of your own that you would like to see answer these questions?
Dobie Moser
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