I ask 150 youth workers what they would be if they were not a youth worker... here’s what they said

A few months ago I wrote to a huge number of vocational youth ministers and said this:‘Finish this sentence: If I wasn’t a youth minister than I’d be…’The following list is the results. On the surface this seems like an odd, slightly fun, but irrelevant question. If you read carefully, however, it provides some interesting insight into the heart, attitudes, skill sets, passions, and varieties of people in youth ministry.Some of these were what people used to do, some are what they would like to do - others or a little more existential! Here’s the answers…A tree surgeon (that one was me)Working in the copier/printer industryRunning a golf clubLiving in a van down by the river!DeadA millionaireA rollerblading coachMuch better restedSelling dolphins on the black marketPolice OfficerSocial WorkerOpen my own health food store/cafeWorking for the outdoor channel/have my own hunting show that ministers to men/dads and their familiesA rodeo clown. Sometimes I feel like it's nearly the same line of work!Account managerFuneral industryBoredI'd get my alternate certification and teach at a High SchoolMiserable, unless I knew God was leading me in a different directionTeacher/CoachA teacher or missionaryA dentistSaneTeaching high school EnglishMilitaryRich probably, or at least have a comma in my bank accountA funeral directorA Pokémon Master!!!Not answering this questionIndiana JonesSocial workerBoard game/coffee shop ownerLiving somewhere elseBartenderA chefFinancially stableServerStill discipling studentsWell restedMissing ourA coach or a teacherA college professorCoachAccountantRelaxed and full of free time...just kidding...kind of.CoachMissing my kidsSchool teacher or coachMobile salesHappyReal estate agentWorking in technology of some sortGame show hostWeb or graphic designerLess tiredFinancial advisorPursuing a job at DisneySadIn HRPolitician or Insurance SalesmanOwner of a gymnastics gymSaneBummedA voice over actor! I do a mean Mickey Mouse!A volunteer youth worker, with some job that pays the bills and drives me crazyRadio DJIn Coaching or Teaching at a high schoolSaneCoach or teacherMarketing guruTeacherWildlife BiologistSocial workerBus driverSearchingTaco/Chicken wing Food Truck ownerPaying all my bills on timeDriving a new F150POTUS or food critic on the Food NetworkWorking at one of my businessesWorking with people with cognitive disabilitiesFull time counsellorSmall business owner. Specifically in coffeeBoredIdk... can't picture myself doing anything else honestlyA real pastorA Jedi MasterPreacherWorking at a 5 star resort serving everyoneI would try to open up a live music venue/coffee shop. Coffee shop during the week, shows on the weekend!Well restedEither a small-time politician or an authorA Care Bear! Oh wait....only in youth ministry can you be a Care BearRunning a comic/game store. Holding events for tabletop role playing. Interacting with youth that wayLounge singer on a cruise lineDistilling bourbonSurf bumActually do the whole "Jesus Thing" by being a fisherman and a carpenter that tells everyone to be nice to one another and fights for love and equalityHistory Teacher or a brewmasterFishingTeacherThe epic movie trailer guy/ voice overs /audio book narratorEither a HS Teacher or a Law Enforcement OfficerA coffee house ownerTeacher/coach and/or do bass fishing tourney's full timePhotographerReal estate investorUnemployedPhotographerArchitectOn broadwayWell sleptMissing out on my dream jobA police officer, still working with youth and mentoringFinancially strappedA family counsellorArtistIT TechGraphic designer, journalist, or writerAn Ancient Near Eastern HistorianRichLumberjackA cruise directorPublic Address Announcer for a college or professional basketball teamA comedianRichWithout a career, because I put all my eggs into this basketBoard game store ownerLostSaneEither high school teacher or an electricianAn ice-cream tasterVideographer/editorWriterAsleepVenture capitalistA youth volunteer...... or in politicsNot living in a one bedroom apartment with a 1996 carDepressed. I love what I doLandscape DesignerCabinet MakerSalesmanAble to afford date night regularlyFuller brush salesmanMore restedMarriedStrength and conditioning coach or mna fighterDesigning logos for companies all over the world! Or playing pro ballSalesmanIn jail