Ministry of young adults help

[rjrjrj]

Hello,
I am starting a Young Adult ministry in my church. I realize many young adults today have different needs. Some like community work, some spiritual renewal activities, some prayers, ect… Does anyone have any pointers or have any expereince with this that can help me out? I really want this to be successful and have people actually coming back, for God’s purposes. Thanks for your help in advance

 

[Cruikshank_s]

What I personally enjoy in young adult ministry is this: Meet for coffee, muffins snacks etc. have bible study (best it be structured, try following a theme, it can probably be found in a bible study handbook) if a priest is readily available and willing, it would be nice to see him hang out with us, talk, give a short sermon whatever he is able and willing to do (Adoration and Benediction would be nice). But mainly what you want is an inviting atmosphere, a place where your members feel welcome and most important, don’t forget to spice everything up with a healthy dose of Catholic identity. I can get christian fellowship anywhere, but in a Catholic group I want to KNOW I’m in a Catholic group ALL THE TIME. I’m 21 for references sake.

Edit: Almost forgot another nice thing would be to have a monthly service project. Take the group to a Catholic soup kitchen to help out one morning (they always need it!) make t-shirts with your group name on it and go out in the community and be seen!

 

[PJM]

Hello,
I am starting a Young Adult ministry in my church. I realize many young adults today have different needs. Some like community work, some spiritual renewal activities, some prayers, ect… Does anyone have any pointers or have any expereince with this that can help me out? I really want this to be successful and have people actually coming back, for God’s purposes. Thanks for your help in advance

As one with ten years of CCD experience and three years as youth group moderator, I offer you the following suggestions .

1. Be firm, fair and consistant. Kids expect and will respond to direction, if yiu do all three.
2. Have fun, by this I mean, stay in charge, but offer constant change and challange. Keep them engaged.
3. Insist on involvement. Ask for help from the kids. Keep them involved. Let them HELP (not direct) the topics, but the lessons themselves. Even though it is good to ask for topical suggestions.
4. Keep is fast paced. If something isn’t working BE PREPARED to switch topics or format. Today’s kids are accontomed to instant gratification and quick moving topics. That does not mean short cutting the material. But be creative. Allow them to debate between themselves, keep it hands on.
5. Alway’s have someone there with you to act as “the cop.” To keep them in line, in a happy, chairitable and FIRM manner.
6. Alway’s be “over-prepared” with options.
7. If at all possible attend daily Mass before your class and ask the Holy Spirit for help.
8. Try never to have the exact same format class back to back. keep them guessing. Change locations from time to time.
9. Insist on good attendance, and write a letter (mail it) the parents outlining your goals and expetitations for them and their kids.
10. Never give homework!
11. Once a month try for a “non-religious” social event, that can only be attended if they have attended x# of classes. In addition to the normal things consider helping at a Soup Kitchen, delivering food baskets, baking stuff for the poor, if you have access to the facilities, food drives, clothes drives, Ect. If there is a jewish Youthgroup see if your group can attend a Passover Celebration, and see if your priest would allow you to invite them yo a Youth Mass, and a get-togeather afterwards.
12. Consider guest speakers from time to time, to keep interest high.
13. Alway’s start and end with prayer!
14. have a mandatory Youth Mass once per month where they do the readings, Usher, Eucharistic Minister (TRAIN THEM FIRST), and if possible lead the singing? Practice everything first. Kids don’t like to be embarassed.

Teach, inforce and practice pious and humble in Church manners and customs. genfluections, sign of the Cross, participation Ect.

Hope you find this helpful:shrug:

 

[Rawb]

1. Insist on good attendance, and write a letter (mail it) the parents outlining your goals and expetitations for them and their kids.

1. Never give homework!

1. Once a month try for a “non-religious” social event, that can only be attended if they have attended x# of classes. In addition to the normal things consider helping at a Soup Kitchen, delivering food baskets, baking stuff for the poor, if you have access to the facilities, food drives, clothes drives, Ect. If there is a jewish Youthgroup see if your group can attend a Passover Celebration, and see if your priest would allow you to invite them yo a Youth Mass, and a get-togeather afterwards.

Um, a young adult group is different then a youth group. Young adults are just that - adults. We don’t answer to our parents anymore, and while having a non-religious social event is a good idea, holding over our heads that we can only attend if we’ve been “good little boys and girls and been to so many classes” is demeaning and would make me stop coming right away.

As a member of a young adults group, I offer you this: Have a theme, and stick to it. Have a Bible Study, and have an outline for that Bible study too. Agape Bible Study offers a very in depth Bible Study for free online. Have your group involved in the Parish, and take out a spot in the bulletin advertising your group. Most of us have been through Religious Ed of some sort, but a sort of “Apologetics Night” could be good, like, every other meeting or something maybe.

Get (name removed by moderator)ut from your members. What do they want? A lot of them, I’m willing to bet, are looking for a good Catholic group. They want Catholic friends who aren’t CINO. This is important too, so keep the Bible Study short, Apologetics short, and leave time to just hang out together.

 

[Sir_Anthony]

Well, the first important thing is make sure you are well versed in what you are going to teach. Like I am been trying to develop a way of reaching out to young adults, and it is difficult believe me. I used to be in charge of the bible study at my Church in college for a semester, and believe it can frustrating. The best thing is free food, especially for singles and college studetns. Now the previous poster said to bring a priest in if you can, warning just make sure the priest is very orthodox. I remember one time at bible study the priest sat in and I forget what was supposed to be the topic (I think it was like prayer or something like that), but he just decided to ramble on about sexual ethics and got pretty detailed too about. So I actually would shy away from inviting the clergy unless you know them well. I don’t know what age group you are with, but you should look at doing alternatives that other people might do on the weekends. If you message me I can tell you some things that you can do that might work and actually bring people closer to the faith.

 

[Cruikshank_s]

Well, the first important thing is make sure you are well versed in what you are going to teach. Like I am been trying to develop a way of reaching out to young adults, and it is difficult believe me. I used to be in charge of the bible study at my Church in college for a semester, and believe it can frustrating. The best thing is free food, especially for singles and college studetns. Now the previous poster said to bring a priest in if you can, warning just make sure the priest is very orthodox. I remember one time at bible study the priest sat in and I forget what was supposed to be the topic (I think it was like prayer or something like that), but he just decided to ramble on about sexual ethics and got pretty detailed too about. So I actually would shy away from inviting the clergy unless you know them well. I don’t know what age group you are with, but you should look at doing alternatives that other people might do on the weekends. If you message me I can tell you some things that you can do that might work and actually bring people closer to the faith.

I agree on the priest issue. To clarify then, I assume you’re familiar with your pastor, and further I assume because you’re posting in “traditional catholicism” that said pastor, should he be to your liking would be orthodox and traditional. Don’t invite clergy for clergy’s sake! Instead invite those priests who you feel close to and would take an interest in supporting a young adult group with a focus on our Catholic faith. I personally don’t want to sit through a rant on sexual ethics (I know it all, and it gets old) But if you personally know your priest and are confident he will mesh well with the group and provide a good “Catholic” presence and guidance then I urge you to invite him along! (plus I HATE it when young adult and youth groups do adoration without a priest and without benediction)

 

[Cruikshank_s]

Um, a young adult group is different then a youth group. Young adults are just that - adults. We don’t answer to our parents anymore, and while having a non-religious social event is a good idea, holding over our heads that we can only attend if we’ve been “good little boys and girls and been to so many classes” is demeaning and would make me stop coming right away.

As a member of a young adults group, I offer you this: Have a theme, and stick to it. Have a Bible Study, and have an outline for that Bible study too. Agape Bible Study offers a very in depth Bible Study for free online. Have your group involved in the Parish, and take out a spot in the bulletin advertising your group. Most of us have been through Religious Ed of some sort, but a sort of “Apologetics Night” could be good, like, every other meeting or something maybe.

Get (name removed by moderator)ut from your members. What do they want? A lot of them, I’m willing to bet, are looking for a good Catholic group. They want Catholic friends who aren’t CINO. This is important too, so keep the Bible Study short, Apologetics short, and leave time to just hang out together.

Good points Rawb! Btw what’s CINO? Never heard the term…

 

[Rawb]

CINO=Catholic In Name Only. A lot of Catholics our age are like that, and it’s hard to find people who aren’t, but we do want friends who are genuinely Catholic.

 

[rjrjrj]

Yea, I know my parish priests pretty well. I am sure they are willing to help as well. I’ve spoken to one or two people who are going to be a part of this group and they def would like a priest there to guide us, only problem with that is that we will then become too accustomed to them, we will not be able to have a Ministry ran by us.

 

[Cruikshank_s]

Yea, I know my parish priests pretty well. I am sure they are willing to help as well. I’ve spoken to one or two people who are going to be a part of this group and they def would like a priest there to guide us, only problem with that is that we will then become too accustomed to them, we will not be able to have a Ministry ran by us.

Exactly! That’s why you must be the leader! The priest is a guest. He simply has an invitation to pop in every few sessions. What happens (and I’ve done this before) is Father comes in and gets a cup of coffee and sits down with the group, just mingles for a while. Then when you have your organized discussion he simply joins the group and puts in his two cents just like everyone else, the difference being that his opinion carries the authority of his office. You remain in charge, you have to keep the conversation going on track and guide the group. Because like you said Father won’t be there all the time and the group needs to follow your lead.

Now, in order to provide the group with church activities like benediction where a priest is necessary, you need to plan WAY in advance. Father is most likely very busy and has a lot on his plate. If and only if he is willing and clearly able, I would ask him if he wouldn’t mind offering the group a monthly or bimonthly benediction service, work around Father’s schedule. You might on the months without adoration host a group rosary, or spend an hour in guided prayer before the tabernacle. Whatever you choose, I would highly advise that minimally once a month you hold a prayer service that is distinctly Catholic. Pray for vocations, or the conversion of youth or the intentions of the Holy Father or whatever cause is close to your heart.

Feel free to PM me! (I’ve helped lead youth ministry and confirmation ministry for the past five years and counting, so I’ve seen and done a lot… stuff that both worked and didn’t haha)

 

[Cruikshank_s]

CINO=Catholic In Name Only. A lot of Catholics our age are like that, and it’s hard to find people who aren’t, but we do want friends who are genuinely Catholic.

OOOOOOHHHHHHH ok well I feel kind of dumb lol Agreed though, it’s the disease of our times. And yes, the one thing I want is a group of friends who know who they are as Catholics I’ve been looking for a while for a young adult group myself, a good one is very hard to find in Orange County. LifeTeen is the rule, not the exception I guess… blegh!

 

[Condottiero]

I’ve been looking for a while for a young adult group myself, a good one is very hard to find in Orange County. LifeTeen is the rule, not the exception I guess… blegh!

There’s a CACI in Orange County that you might want to check out. Linked Here

 

[FrRJBoyd]

Here are a few things we do in CT which seem to be working pretty well:

First Friday Mass - We have a Young Adult schola that rehearses once a week. We do the Gregorian propers & ordinaries, and try to have a polyphonic motet prepared. The homily is catechetical, and afterward we go out to a local diner. We’ve been going since 2003.

YAG (Young Adult Group) - We have a holy hour in Church on Saturday evening. If I can make it, there is benediction, but if not, there is still the rosary, the chaplet of Divine Mercy, time for silent prayer and Compline. Afterward, we play games (like Apples to Apples -Catholic Edition), talk, etc.

Catholic Underground - The CFRs started this in Yonkers, with adoration, Steubenville-like praise & worship, and confessions, followed by a coffee house-type gathering, usually with a Christian band.

Theology on Tap - A Catholic speaker comes to a local bar/restaurant, which sets aside a room for the event.

God bless,

Fr. Boyd

 

[Rawb]

First Friday Mass - We have a Young Adult schola that rehearses once a week. We do the Gregorian propers & ordinaries, and try to have a polyphonic motet prepared. The homily is catechetical, and afterward we go out to a local diner. We’ve been going since 2003.

YAG (Young Adult Group) - We have a holy hour in Church on Saturday evening. If I can make it, there is benediction, but if not, there is still the rosary, the chaplet of Divine Mercy, time for silent prayer and Compline. Afterward, we play games (like Apples to Apples -Catholic Edition), talk, etc.

…where are you located Father?..And how might one go about moving there?

 

[Cruikshank_s]

Ditto Rawb! That has to be the most stimulating agenda I’ve ever seen or heard of! I mean come on! Has anyone ever even heard of a young adult schola?! Ours is composed of elderly/middle-aged women… Absolutely wonderful, I’m shocked and overwhelmingly jealous!

 

[iona_scribe]

OOOOOOHHHHHHH ok well I feel kind of dumb lol Agreed though, it’s the disease of our times. And yes, the one thing I want is a group of friends who know who they are as Catholics I’ve been looking for a while for a young adult group myself, a good one is very hard to find in Orange County. LifeTeen is the rule, not the exception I guess… blegh!

Hello there! Have you tried The Journey yet? We’ve stretched “young adult” to mean anyone in their 20’s or 30’s, so I don’t know if you’ll have fun hanging out with us old people but you’re always welcome. We’re having a day of Recollection (mini-retreat) at St. John Neumann parish tomorrow.

We have a whole range of people from the more traditionally minded to the CCM fans, but we all get along and we have a nice balance of spiritual, service, and social activities. Adoration and rosary are every Tuesday (except 1st tues of the month, which is our monthly potluck dinner). Anyway, let me know if you’d like me to PM you with more details.

For the O.P., here’s our mission statement: sjnjourney.org/missionstatement.html. It might help you think through the purpose and goals for your new group. We’ve been around for at least 10 years and we have a whole leadership team, so I might recommend starting with a clear main goal and then adding activities to enhance your achievement of that goal as you develop.