Why You Probably Don't Want To Be A Catholic Speaker!

You probably don't really want to be a Catholic speaker. More on that later...

I am writing this to those who aspire to a career (part-time or full-time) of being a "Catholic speaker". I hope I don't come across as too negative or preachy. My intent is really to shed some life on why there is a desire there and the reality of the Catholic speaking circuit.
 
1 - It isn't all it is cracked up to be. Yes, you get some cool experiences. Talking to a room-full of folks about Jesus can be fun (but you should also know that sometimes it is a chore). But, you also have to endure the many criticisms of your content, skill, and the parsing of small details when you say something that challenges others. Furthermore, traveling is tiring. Being away from family is not good for you or them. From the outside looking in, it can seem glamorous or desirable. But, I have experienced bed bugs, spiritual attacks (personally and on my family), sleeping in airports, being sick in a hotel room, missing big events of my kids, and more. So, try to see the Catholic speaking world for what it truly is, not what it appears to be.

2 - Few can live off of being a Catholic speaker (as a full-time job). There are seasons where you get a lot of talks and seasons where there are none. Before you ever get there, to be successful, you have to build a reputation. Some do niches - youth, family, homeschooling, biblical theology, parish missions, etc. These narrow your audiences even further. Also, before you start getting paid what you might think you are worth, you are going to have to earn the right to get paid and prove you are good enough to be invited. So, the reality is, only a VERY small handful of the biggest names can make a full-time career out of it and that means traveling constantly only after many years of hard work.

3 - There are only so many speakers that the market can handle. This is merely a statement of fact. If someone is looking for a keynote at an apologetics conference, and they narrow it to Dr. Scott Hahn and myself, I am losing that 9 out of 10 times. The tenth time was when Scott couldn't do it, because he was already booked! The reality is that his name will draw more people than my name and that is ok. But, this means most speakers who are trying to get started will probably never get more than a local (or regional) audience, at best.
 

I have talked to many young people who ask - "what does it take to be a Catholic speaker?" of "how do I get started?" What I tell them is the following:

1 - NEVER start even attempting to do public speaking, teaching, etc until you have an established and daily interior life that flows from an intimate relationship with Jesus. Without it, you won't be fruitful. With it, you will still struggle. Without it, you will probably burn out and could become bitter.

With it, you may maintain some perspective. Recently I have had multiple conversations with other people who have worked in ministry for many years, only to burn themselves out, become lonely, feel far from God, and some even left the Church. 

To be a Catholic speaker is to go right to the front of the line for many of the reasons that cause ministry burnout. Be cognizent of this reality. It is tough. There is a long (and growing) list of Catholic celebrities that have been caught up in scandals. I can assure you that they didn't balance their spiritual lives with their public lives and that got them in trouble.

2 - Talk to the folks who are doing it. You will need to have their advice. Most are willing to help (to some extent), if they are asked. But, don't just cherry-pick what you want to hear out of the conversations. Really try to digest the realities of what it takes. Then have a long and humble diagnosis of whether this is something you still feel called to do.

3 - Realize this is a long-term project. You will have to start small. Even if you get a couple of really big gigs early on, most won't know you from Adam. It might even mean doing things for free, in order to get the practice in and your name known.

4 - Practice and then record yourself. Be open to honest critique and then change what needs to change. You are no Fulton Sheen...yet. If you aren't willing to be humble and grow - you are not going to become better and better. Which you will need to do in order to grow your audience.

5 - Don't replace speaking with real ministry! This might rub some folks the wrong way, but I believe speaking is easy and pastoral ministry is difficult. Speakers get to fly in, talk, and then leave. Real pastoral ministry involves relationships and extended time put into the work. 

6 - Know what your charisms and talents are, then use them. Not everyone is a good speaker or teacher. Not everyone is a good administrator. Not everyone is artistic. That is ok. You will be much happier if you spend time discerning what gifts God has given you and you find multiple ways to use them for His glory. Do this before you start to try to be a Catholic speaker.

7 - We don't need a lot of Catholic speakers, we need a lot of Catholic saints! We are human and most humans emulate that which we experience. If we experience conversion at a conference, then it is natural to want to be like the speaker who inspired us there. But, what the world needs is ordinary saints that can be instruments of grace. THIS needs to become the norm. We need holy Moms, Dads, bankers, homemakers, janitors, etc. not necessarily more speakers.

8 - Don't rush into speaking, but spend time discerning what God wants. The question you need to ask is, "does God want me to be a Catholic speaker?" not "do I want to be a Catholic speaker?" Catholic speakers should have their speaking flow out of time spent in ministry, not the other way around. Without the experience, you are limited in real-life wisdom that needs to be shared. Furthermore, you need to spend dedicated time in prayer and discussions with others to make a wise and prudent decision. If you really are determined to go after being a Catholic speaker, then don't do it until you read the last part...

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!

**Finally, and maybe most importantly (if you have read this far). I believe most folks who want to be Catholic speakers do so because they have been moved by hearing someone speak and they want to be able to do the same thing. Here is the context you will need in order to discern God's will. The Catholic speaking world exists for a number of reasons. Some of them are good, for example, people always need to learn and grow. Some of them are not, for example, we live in a consumerist culture, which has bled into the Church - leading to a passive consuming of content, rather than relationships.

What I believe will really help fulfill the desire of the heart (that leads many young people to want to be Catholic speakers), is the desire to be fruitful - that is, to bear fruit in the lives of others. 

I would like to propose that if that is your ultimate goal, that you pursue growing in your skill as an evangelist and disciple-maker, BEFORE you start doing Catholic speaking. This is because we are ALL called to do these two things, but few are called to speak publicly. So, if evangelization and disciple-making fulfill your desire, you need not speak. But, if they don't, it will only help you become an even better, more experienced speaker, who can help others grow.

This is why you probably don't really want to be a Catholic speaker. That desire in your heart is primarily about being fruitful!!!

No matter what God calls you to, do it. For in God's will is our fulfillment found.

If you found this helpful, I ask you to please share with others who also might find it helpful.