If you Google the words “define professional” you’ll get nearly 30 million matches. So much for finding a definitive meaning!
Youth workers have mixed reactions to the concept of professionalism. For some, it’s really simple: Being professional means devoting yourself to whatever you do to the best of your ability. For others, it suggests negative images of cubicle dwellers who are so devoted to following the rules or getting ahead that in their relentless climb up the corporate ladder they gladly sacrifice their souls.
Between these positions is a practical approach to professionalism that balances spiritual maturity, spontaneity and results.
YouthWorker Journal was founded 25 years ago to promote professionalism in youth work, and our slogan is: “The Professional Resource for Youth Ministry.”
Paul (via Eugene Peterson) expressed part of what we mean by professionalism when he said: “I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences” (
What about you? What does professionalism mean to you? Our goal is for the articles in this issue help you do a better job as you are running down the road God has called you to travel!
