Emerging Trends in Catholic Youth Ministry: The Pain and the Promise! Bob McCarty National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry bobm@nfcym.org
Objectives: Assess the current territory Identify components for a new map Provide new images for leadership
Something I believe about young people is... The societal, cultural, global change most affecting young people is... What youth most need from the church is...
Spirituality of Millennial Generation Believers and belongers but where? Spiritual, but not necessarily religious
Spirituality of Millennial Generation Focus on an individual relationship with Jesus
Spirituality of Millennial Generation Emphasis on spiritual journey, versus organized religion Discipleship versus membership
Spirituality of Millennial Generation Desire to know and experience the transcendence and power of God
Spirituality of Millennial Generation Desire for a real and personal experience of faith
Spirituality of Millennial Generation Their experience of Church is critical - Am I welcome here? How is Jesus alive and meaningful today?
Spirituality of Millennial Generation See Jesus as one who understands my suffering
Spirituality of Millennial Generation Everything expresses the transcendent: the arts, gatherings, nature, devotionals
Spirituality of Millennial Generation Want to grow in faith together with their peers and with adults/family!
Spirituality of Millennial Generation Want to find God in meaningful service
Entering New Territory The question is not Whether our children faith will have faith. children!
CURRENT YOUTH MINISTRY PARADIGM Entertainment Model Information Model Youth Ministry Leader Model Youth Centered Model
MAPPING OUT THE TERRITORY Current Maps CYO CCD SEARCH/TEC Confirmation Youth group (variations)
Youth Group Model or One-Eared Mickey Starts with a group and asks other to join Youth Group Assumes: that youth needs are similar that youth like to join groups that youth are available at the same time that one or a few adults can meet the needs of the group
Integrating Youth into the Community A New Map for Youth Ministry Assumes: Youth Groupings that youth need to be connected with/to/in the community that youth want/need to build relationships with adults that youth have gifts to share with the community that youth are the young Church of today
1976 2010: THE MINISTRY FROM: Youth minister to Coordinator to LEM Youth group to youth groupings Young people to young people and families Community to evangelization and catechesis
1976 2010: THE MINISTRY FROM: Peer community to parish faith community and intergenerational (NSYR, Hardwired To Connect) VYM accompaniment (Emmaus) to RTV discipleship and mission Foster Catholic Identity
1976-2010: SKILLS FROM: Specialist (specific responsibility) to generalist (corporate responsibility) Doer of ministry to enabler of ministry Program planning to volunteer management Youth team to youth team and adult team Lead meetings and gatherings to developing leadership Know youth and youth culture AND theology and parish ecclesiology
1976 TO 2010: SKILLS FROM: Missionary to youth culture to advocate for youth in parish and societal arena Crisis (suicide) to pastoral care (and child protection!) What do I do? to competency-based standards and certification Relational to relational! Surviving to thriving
IMAGES FOR PASTORAL LEADERSHIP Keeper of the Vision Orchestrator of Gifts Mobilizer of the Village
The community is the context. How do we: KEY PLAYERS IN THIS APPROACH: * invite * welcome * provide hospitality * build relationships * foster youth participation and belonging * support discipleship - doing faith
Our destination: Happy, Healthy, Holy Adults Forming adult believers and disciples of Jesus: Call to discipleship Connect with the faith community Foster spiritual growth
Dimensions of a Ministry Map The Call to Discipleship Skills for living as a faith-filled person (apprenticeship)
Faith Skills The skills necessary to deepen our relationship with God The skills necessary to participate in the faith community The skills for discipleship
Faith Skills Deepen our relationship with God How to pray How to use scripture Recognize God s Presence Keep the Sabbath
Faith Skills To participate in the faith community Participate in Mass and prayer experiences Make and keep commitments Appreciate the Tradition Provide welcome and hospitality
Faith Skills To live as disciples of Jesus Make moral decisions Develop an informed conscience Reach out in service and compassion Critical reflection/critique societal values
Dimensions of a Ministry Map Small faith communities e.g. Faith Sharing, Scripture, Disciples
Dimensions of a Ministry Map Comprehensive approach vertical and horizontal spirituality head, heart, and hands = know, love, and serve God
Comprehensive Ministry Discipleship Home Faith Formation Religious Education
Dimensions of a Ministry Map Collaboration: begins with a shared understanding about the mission of the Church the identification, release, and union of all the gifts in ministry for the sake of mission. Partnerships between parents and staff
Implications:
Serving those who serve the young Catholic Church