Youth ministry has been evolving over a number of years in the church. We recognize the value our young people have to offer and wish to nurture and empower them to use their gifts and talents to enrich our community! What is Youth Ministry? It is, “The pattern of responding to the needs of young people and involving young people—with their gifts and energy—in the life of the community guided with the dynamic approach of ministry presented in ‘A Vision of Youth Ministry’.” Renewing the Vision, USCCB, 2002
Renewing the Vision emphasizes the Holy Father’s charge that we; empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today; that we help draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the faith community; and that we foster and nurture the personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
St. Andrew’s response to that challenge is our Teen Action Group. Manifesting this as a reality is, in fact, the responsibility of each member of this parish. As parents, do you reinforce these principles and encourage your teenager(s) to participate? As a parishioner, do you acknowledge and validate the potential of each young person you encounter, regardless of their appearance or behavior? It’s all about affirming young people’s faith, gifts, energy and fresh ideas. It takes all of us to DO youth ministry!
The Eight Components of Youth Ministry |
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The components describe specific areas of the mission of
the Church that work together to provide ministry with
adolescents. These components provide a framework for
the Catholic community to respond to the needs of young
people and to involve young people in sharing their
unique gifts with the larger community (RTV, p. 26). |
- Advocacy
Interpreting the need of young people, standing up for young people, both as individuals and as a youth community.
- Catechesis
Deepening the faith of young people through teaching and reflection-working towards transformation.
- Community Life
Building community, not just between young people, but with their families and engaging youth in the broader parish community.
- Evangelization
Proclaiming the Good News and inviting youth into relationship with Jesus Christ through ongoing witness.
- Justice and Service
Engaging young people in helping and serving other people, and understanding the Gospel call to justice through education and reflection.
- Leadership Development
Inviting, training, and supporting adults and young people into leadership for youth ministry and with the broader parish community.
- Pastoral Care
Providing prevention programs for youth and families, caring for those in crisis, and providing guidance during times of decisions and moral choices.
- Prayer and Worship
Helping youth to develop an individual prayer life, experience a variety of communal prayers, and involving youth in the sacramental life of the Church.
Comprehensive youth ministry begins with a team of adults and youth who serve as a leadership team. This team creates a variety of ways for youth to experience ministry.
- Peer gatherings
- Involvement in parish life
- Non-gathered
- Family strategies
Young people can participate in a variety of ways with their peers and within the parish community. The advantages of this model include:
- Provides a variety of ways for youth to be involved.
- Ministry can respond to the real life needs of youth.
- Provides for different levels of participation.
- Connects youth to the life of the parish.
- Nurtures the "web of relationships."
- Provides for a variety of ways for adults to be involved in sharing leadership.