Well, there is this situation. Currently I am involved in youth ministry at the parish that Andy and I attend, which has a part-time Coordinator of Youth Ministry (CYM). In my practicum course in my program at school, this is my placement for the year.
The situation is this: the CYM and I are trying to build comprehensive youth ministry at the parish. This means that we are trying to work towards youth being invited, welcomed, and involved at all levels of community life within the parish. Rather simple concept, and is supported both by science, in terms of what kids need to succeed and demonstrate low at-risk behaviour (see Search Institute’s 40 Assets) as well as supported by our Christian heritage, where we believe that all the baptised have a right and responsibility to participate fully in the life and mission of the church (age is not the determinant of participation).
In dialogue with some leaders in this parish (key leaders), they have told us in no uncertain terms that youth are unreliable, that they never show up, that the youth have to take the initiative if they want to be involved in anything at this parish, and that they are unwelcome if they do not do this.
The question we carry is this: where do we go from here?
Now, I am looking for insight from others in this situation. I am not looking for more criticism (honestly, I am one of the biggest critics of the situation already, being involved in this), I am looking for constructive ideas, thoughts, musings, into different approaches to working through this issue. If thinking of it as a case study helps, then by all means, think of it as such. If anyone needs more information, I would be pleased to provide it if it is to the purpose of helping provide insight. I know many of you are involved in youth ministry – I would greatly appreciate thoughts from you on this.
That’s about all. Feel free to email me if leaving a comment isn’t a comfortable thing for you to do. Thanks so much in advance to all who are able to provide some help and insight.
Is there any area that you can do retreats? the one thing I’m thinking of is somehow doing weekend retreats. Kinda what Camp does during the summer but instead do it during a weekend. You will get a core group of people involved and even if everyone doesn’t get involved, at the very least everyone will know whats happening and hopefully hear how fun it is and want to come.
The other thing that comes to mind is another thing we did (do) in PG. Is they any type of DYC at all? that right there is a huge rally point for youth because its something they get to do themselves. It takes a lot of work to setup, but it you can get the right people and the parents involved in very small things, it could be huge.
I’ll have a think though.
(Camp Morice, in the first paragraph. Thats what camp I speak of)
Hi Jane,
I see your predicament ,… I think.
Am I correct in saying that the leaders at the parish refuse to lead the youth in anything and they they say that the youth need to lead themselves?
Or in other words the youth need to come forward and make requests to the leaders themselves, either individually or together as a “group” to have say a retreat in spiritual guidance or development or whatever theme they would like to have either over a weekend/s or possible a week/s during the summer.
I’m not sure that one person coming forward would have any impact at all in someone setting up a retreat at a future date. It would take a few people at least to arrange with a leader to set something like this up. This of course brings the question of how to make people aware of a retreat in the future without the leaders helping.
This can be accomplished but then you will need someone to spread the word, this someone doesn’t have to be a leader themselves but they would have to spread the message to others with pamphlets or word of mouth or both.
Again once a time and date has been established with people arriving to this retreat, you would need someone to start the retreat and form a group or groups and start discussing whatever the theme is of the retreat.
Doing all this without a leader is in my opinion a tough job for someone, is that someone a leader then or merely someone with an interest in helping others.
Also does it half to be just youth or could anyone go to this retreat
Another aspect of this is when do the “key” leaders become involved and how do they fit in if they aren’t setting the theme to this event in the first place?
Are they leaders or are they leaders in name only, serving some of the parish and being blind to the rest.
I suppose my dear that as coordinator you would be the leader and a go-between, if and when he leaders desire to become involved with the members of their parish they will do so.
Hope I haven’t muddied the waters too much.
Love dad
It appears here that you are ministering to the adults in the parish more than the youth. But they are right Jane. Don’t you remember the gospel where Jesus just sat on the mountain and everyone came to him? And then Jesus died and whoever didn’t come to Jesus went to hell. Oh, its in there. It’s in the back somewhere i think.
If you build it, they will come.
Offer very low commitment programs (ministries, etc.) to different levels of people. Sports outside of a church with very little prayer attracts the more marginalized youth who would never go on retreat. Remember, if you get on young person, treat them with the same care and attention you would treat 10,000.
“If I could save but one soul in my life I would be accorded the finest place in heaven!”
St. Jean Marie Vianney
God bless!