Are you looking to launch a youth ministry program, revamp the youth ministry at your parish, or just looking for some fresh ideas for youth ministry? Not sure where to start? Well fear not because we have some great news for you! This Spring, the Diocesan Youth Ministry Office is offering an exciting program called Youth Ministry 101, a five-part series designed to help you vision, plan, build a team, and ultimately launch your parish youth ministry program!
Often times youth ministry can be seen as just eating pizza and playing laser tag with teenagers. Certainly things like this can play a large role in youth ministry but it should actually go much deeper. Our ministry to youth should reach out to teens on a social, catechetical, and spiritual level that is engaging and ultimately leads to service and discipleship.
To sign up, contact Tim Messenger, Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, at 508-929-4360 or at [email protected]. There is NO cost!
How does the program work?
The program begins at the end of February and consists of monthly sessions through May as well as a core team training day over the summer. The sessions are designed to provide a practical step by step process in how to lay the foundation of youth ministry, assess parish needs, build a core team, plan and map out the year, and ultimately launch a program by the fall. Each meeting will end with an action step that you will be able to implement in your parish as the program moves along. There will be two session options a month to choose from (daytime or evening).
Who should attend the sessions?
Sessions can be attended by any adult who will be part of the youth ministry program. However, the sessions should be attended by the person(s) who will be the main point person for the program. This can be a parish staff member or even just a volunteer (which is often times the case). If a parish has not yet identified who this person is, sessions can be attended by the pastor or catechetical leader and we can give you tips on how to identify this person.
Sessions are primarily geared toward parishes looking to start youth ministry but are very applicable to parishes with existing programs who are hoping to revamp or try newer ideas. If you’re interested but unsure whether this is something your parish would like to do, feel free to contact the Youth Ministry Office for more information or check out the first session or couple of sessions!
My parish wants to do Youth Ministry but we do not have anyone who is experienced or “qualified”.
No worries! In fact, this type of program is designed exactly for you! While experience and qualifications are extremely helpful, this does not disqualify your parish from doing youth ministry. The goal of this program is to provide practical training for adults to equip them with skills to minister to youth.
Below are the YM 101 Session Topics and Dates:
Session 1: A Vision for Youth Ministry
This introductory session will provide an overview on the goals, components, and vision of a comprehensive youth ministry according to the USCCB document “Renewing the Vision”. The goal of the session will be to help parishes identify a basic vision for youth ministry.
Session 1 Dates
Tuesday February 25th, 10-11:30am at the Chancery Library
or
Thursday February 27th, 6:30-8pm at the Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies
Session 2: Laying a Foundatioon for Youth Ministry
This session will go over how to assess your parish through communicating a basic vision with parish staff and the parish as a whole, surveying the parents and youth, and facilitating a meeting for parents and possibly youth. The assessment process helps you to have a better understanding of those specific needs and also helps you to begin to identify key parents and other adults who may serve on a core team. We will go over how to structure a core team through various roles and responsibilities.
Session 2 Dates
Wednesday March 25th, 10-11:30am at the Chancery Library
or
Thursday March 26th, 6:30-8pm at the Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies
Session 3: Methods I - Mapping out the Year
This session will cover how to systematically plan out your year by establishing a consistent meeting date, discussing types of youth gatherings, and discussing various methods on how to facilitate youth gatherings.
Session 3 Dates
Wednesday April 29th, 10-11:30am at the Chancery Library
or
Thursday April 30th, 6:30-8pm at the Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies
Session 4: Methods II - Planning Youth Gatherings
This session will cover how to plan an epic kickoff as well as methods on how to plan youth nights that are engaging and dynamic while at the same time hitting upon the social, catechetical, and spiritual elements. We will also discuss communication strategies to engage parents and teens including social media, Flocknote, etc.
Session 4 Dates
Wednesday May 27th, 10-11:30am at the Chancery Library
or
Thursday May 28th, 6:30-8pm at the Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies
Summer Core Team Training
Before we launch our youth ministry programs, there will be an opportunity for training adults in the areas of relational ministry, giving personal witness, small group facilitation, safe environment, as well as a number of other applicable areas.
Core Training Dates and Locations TBD
The program is designed to help you to launch (or relaunch) your youth ministry program by the fall. However, this is only the beginning. Often times when we start a ministry, it will begin very small and may take years to grow. This is the process of discipleship. The aim of YM 101 is NOT to immediately create an enormous youth group. Rather it is to establish something and help you begin the process of finding that small group of key teenagers whom you can begin to disciple and build your program around.
How to register
Registration is simple. All you have to do is contact Tim Messenger in the Youth Ministry Office at 508-929-4360 or at [email protected]. Cost is free! Sessions can be attended by any adult but should at least be attended by the youth ministry coordinator or key volunteer(s).
For more information or to sign up, contact Tim Messenger, Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, at 508-929-4360 or at [email protected].