I seem to have spend most of my career trying to get away from music ministry, but being dragged back in to it. That's right, I turn up for projects wanting to get into programme development, catechesis and other things, but then they are short of a guitarist, somebody remembers that I can play and it takes up pretty much all of my time. I feel like that famous Al Pacino line: every time I think I'm out, they drag me back in... It's definitely something I want to start leaving behind in 2012. The fact that I now have tendonitis in my hand also doesn't help!

A lot of youth ministers aren't trying to leave music ministry behind though. Many really love it. They want to do more of it, and they want to get better at it. If that's you, then fair play to you. It's a vital part of youth ministry and it's something that needs to be done well.

With that in mind, CatholicYouthMinistry.com has a great article asking how can I be a better music minister in 2012. It's worth a read.

I've found a lot of things that help over the years - rehearsal (and not rushing) is important. Asking the project leader to be clear about what he/ she wants from the music team is also important, as is the need to make sure those expectations are stuck to. Good equipment is a must too. And it's vital to pick music that the young people will actually respond to - and not just your latest craze that you really really want them to like!