What is the deal with Youth ministers?

[jc-servant]

I was a Core Team member (volunteer adult ministry team member who cannot have HS age kids) for Lifeteen at my parish. I know that in some parishes the program is not administered well, but the national gives good outlines for a balance between teaching and social. The schedule includes a teen oriented mass every Sunday where teens are lectors, servers, ushers, etc. The homily is geared more toward their level of understanding and the music tends to be more contemporary but not always. (Our parish music director loves to throw in some Latin and other traditional things as part of the teens formation and they love it.) After the mass there is a Life Night with 3 weeks of lessons and the 4th week with a wholesome social activity.

The basics are simple but our program has evolved over time into an awesome thing. Even if the OP does not have the full program they could check out the national website for ideas and get their youth minister plugged in so that he could continue his own formation and grow. www.lifeteen.com

Our parish has a lot of very orthodox teaching for teens wrapped up in a package that might seem a little unusual to some traditionalists. I know some people rail on the LT mass because of the music, but I always say there are several other masses for adults who want traditional. LT mass is always so packed that people will literally stand or kneel in the aisles despite our having over 1200 seats!

Our LT ministry had a special holy hour weekly for years with prayer, adoration before the Bl. Sacrament and appropriate music that had the chapel packed to the rafters. The regular holy hour for the whole adult parish cannot boast of such numbers. Other activities have evolved as the need and desire arose such as special discussion groups for male and female separately on a week night, an intensive Bible study and other fundraisers and service projects that support the Mexico mission trip in the summer.

I would suggest that if your local parish is not reaching your teens or youth that as a parent of a teen you take the initiative to seek out info on programs that work and introduce the appropriate people to it. I went to Core University and there are other training programs across the country for volunteers and paid staff. There are also Catholic youth conferences like the ones hosted regionally by Franciscan University in the summers that would help fire up teens (and adults) who may have a weak parish program.

Another thought is to invite religious like orthodox young monks or nuns to conduct a retreat for your teens or to participate in one conducted by your parish staff. We have some religious and a priest or two at every teen retreat like the Intercessors of the Lamb from Nebraska. Their charism is intercessory prayer and youth ministry. They wear full habits, but our teens love them. One monk makes up Catholic raps and plays the drums for teens, but lives the life of hermit also. Talk about a conversation starter with a teen. Why would this cool guy choose to be a monk?

I’m not trying to brag about our teens, but to show the contrast of what can happen when you get the staff on the right path and build some momentum. By the time most of our teens are upperclassmen they are well formed in the faith and starting to take over ministering to younger kids. However there are still some that are not reached.

A number of parishes have sent their youth ministers to observe and speak with our staff to kick start their own programs. I don’t know where the OP is located but if they would like to PM I would be happy to hook them up with people who can help.

I’ll be praying for all of the teens and youth that we as adults get them what they need to build a strong faith of their own before they get out into the world. When they leave for college it may be too late unless they get plugged into an excellent college parish.

 

[vluvski]

While a lot of programs are lacking and there are far too many unorthodox people in leadership positions, I think we are much too quick to criticize youth programs.

I served as assistant campus minister for a year, and let me tell you, it is harder than you could ever imagine. If you have a problem with your youth ministry program, perhaps you should volunteer to help out with one aspect.

Reaching teens and young adults with the Truth of the Catholic Church is so multifaceted and complex. With poorly catechized parents who often don’t even bother getting the family to Mass, the Eucharist isn’t necessarily going to be the draw for these kids. It may seem sad to someone who yearns to receive more often than the required once per week, but you have to remember what it was like before you got to this point in your faith journey.

I used this analogy on a thread in Moral theology:
Let’s say you have a friend who really likes chicken, so much that he has never tried red meat. You try to tell him how great a steak is, but he just likes chicken, doesn’t care about a steak. You just KNOW that he’ll love steak if he tries it, so you come up with a plan. You meet him every week at Outback, and order steak every time, and have a nice chat over his chicken and your steak. Eventually, his aversion to steak is going to break down, but he’s never going to try it or enjoy it if you just force it down his throat.

 

[Karin]

ReginaNova:

What age were the “youth”? They must not have been teens or even middle-school aged kids who babysit themselves…

The “youth” in question where teens (14-16) who where in the Confirmation Program. My son had to attend one of these Youth Group sessions, why?, for Confirmation class.

ReginaNova:

I sense that Catholic “youth ministers” are more closely supervised today in light of the recent abuse scandals. Certainly, increased oversight of youth ministers is a step in the right direction.

That is a joke…better supervision. When I went to pick up my son from this Youth Group session…the kids where running and yelling around the Church building and their was ONE adult supervising 20-30 kids…I sure hope this is not typical of all churchs!

 

[asquared]

leaner:

This is going to sound awful, but we had two women who were ours – mid-20s or so, maybe late 20s? We all suspected they were more than just “friends” but no one wanted to make such wild accusations and be wrong, ya know? It was just…odd

so two women in their mid-20s who are not married and happen to be friends --is just, … odd?
odd in what way?
what is odd about persons who at this time in their life are in the single vocation having a friendship?
how corrupted we are in this society by the culture of perversion in seeing something odd about unmarried persons who are not in an overtly sexually active relationship with someone of the opposite sex. That is hollyweird mentality, to assume single people are . . . odd … otherwise.
this culture has perverted not only normal relationships between the sexes, and our perceptions of them, has not only perverted the natural law meaning of marriage, but has also perverted the meaning of friendship–witness the adulation of the cowboy movie by MSM>
we need to bring the gospel back into the culture, and not allow the culture to pervert our own perceptions and understanding.

 

[pira114]

Let’s be blunt.

A lot of children are not as enthusiastic about religious studies (any religion) as we as parents would like. If the youth programs get them involved and attending, then that’s the first and toughest step.

You’re also assuming that they are not learning anything at the social events. In my childhood, almost every really important lesson I learned came from a Priest who was far less than strict with us. He was looked unfavorably upon by the rest of the parish because he would play games with us, joke with us, and even help us out of trouble on the sly. When I look back on it, all of his little “chats” with us directly related to Church teaching. It was in words that we could understand. And more importantly, he kept us interested by being interested in us.

There are a lot of lessons to be learned. Some of them can be taught through reading and discussion. Many of them can be taught and reinforced through action. I can state firmly that I probably would not be a practicing Catholic today if it weren’t for that Priest. I think about him often. We didn’t have a youth program, but he took on the job of his own accord. The youth ministers today have a tough job. With the world being less and less tolorant of religion, and “facts” being taught in schools. It’s hard enough just to get the youth involved. I don’t think social events are bad at all. You can have a good mix of both. Even if you don’t, hopefully being a part of their religious community will help them remain in the Church and encourage them to learn more on their own. It’s not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.

 

[mschoir01]

I thank God for our youth ministers. It’s obviously a difficult task. Ours seem to find the right mix of engagement and instruction. There is a Life teen program also and it has been very successful with the young people who choose to attend. Our youth have responsibility for one Mass on Sunday (choir, readings, servers) and it is a very popular Mass. The music is beautiful. The youth group does plenty of socializing but they also spend lots of time learning what the faith requires and even more in involving themselves in ministry. They help out all over the parish and our whole city. One of our youth ministers has a “pantry” to help the homeless. The list goes on and on. My church is blessed to have dedicated, Christ centered people who care very much about the youth in the parish. They work very hard!

I think that the thing to do if your youth programs seem inappropriate is to pray and then volunteer to work with the group. It is surprising to see what opportunities for spiritual growth surface when you spend the time in community.

Good luck!

 

[JMJ_Theresa]

I’m not dissatisfied with the social component.

Our youth minister is in charge of several aspects of faith formation, the most important being the confirmation program and retreat. These aspects are lacking in solid catechesis.

At our last confirmation retreat, the prayer experience was holding a rock, casting your worries onto the rock, and tossing it into the pond of anxiety. Huh?

I am very grateful for all those who make Christian service their aim in life, esp. since they are not well paid and often overworked. What my concern is the formation–are these youth ministers being taught Catholic doctrine and how to form Christian character? I know there are very good ym. Of course, there are. Just in the parishes I’ve been in, they haven’t seemed to be well formed. I am sure that there is a problem in their education classes (the ones at my parishes have been degreed, paid positions).

I hope that on one thinks I’m griping unconstructively, but maybe that is what it looks like.

As for getting involved in youth ministry, I hope to someday, but if I took on anything outside of the home right now, I’m sure I’d end up in a mental health facility or divorce court.

 

[vrunca]

Here’s an idea…try offering your time to the youth minister if you are unhappy with the way they are doing things…or if they are doing to much for the time they have…take on some of the burden. If you have a question about something, try talking with the priest or the ym…but try some tact!!! Because all I hear in here is whining, if you don’t like it…try doing it yourself!! And I am sorry if I am being tactless myself, but I am sick and tired of parents who will complain, and complain behind your back, but won’t offer any help or their own time. But that is what this forum seems to be about a lot of the time, which is why I don’t frequent it very often. Be kind, don’t talk behind the back of the people who are truly serving with love!!! And get some tact, my gosh!!!

 

[vrunca]

Oh, and please don’t give me the bunk about that you have no time, blah, blah, blah… I did it, when my kids were younger, they just came right with me and became a part of what we were doing, it taught the older kids responsibility. I was able to work full time, teach catechism, coach soccer, be a girl & boy scout leader, and run the youth ministry program at the church and we still had other sports programs that my kids were involved in too. You do what you have to…so either get in there and do it and quit complaining and making excuses, or stop the whining!! GET REAL!!!

 

[JMJ_Theresa]

I really don’t know what to say. That was really uncharitable.

 

[dhgray]

JMJ Theresa:

I really don’t know what to say. That was really uncharitable.

I think what vrunca is saying in his/her own unique way is to “Fish or Cut Bait”. Too many of us (me included) complain. If you want change, you have to effect change. It sounds like you really care - Praise God. NOW GET INVOLVED.

 

[JMJ_Theresa]

Well, that’s why I’m on the oversight committee. I’m sorry I started this thread. I just wanted to get perspective on the formation of youth ministers.

 

[vrunca]

dhgray:

I think what vrunca is saying in his/her own unique way is to “Fish or Cut Bait”. Too many of us (me included) complain. If you want change, you have to effect change. It sounds like you really care - Praise God. NOW GET INVOLVED.

It happens so often in my diocese that you get a family who will gang up on the youth minister, who is working their butt off for someone elses kids…(why? Because they care!!!) and then the youth minister leaves and then the church is left with nothing, because those same parents wont step in. It’s like people are very quick to critisize, point fingers… but when it comes to action, no one is ever around. Commitees are nice, I always said that committees are real cute ideas , but action speaks louder and helps more than a bunch of people sitting around saying how someone else should do things differently.

 

[CaritateDei]

I know that this is an old thread, but I think JMJ Theresa has a right to be concerned, here. The NCCYM, the National Conference for Catholic Youth Ministry in Cleveland was a strong disappointment to me. I am a Youth Minister, and yes, I have seen a lot of the same hardships.

A Master’s in Theology, sadly, does not mean much anymore. At the NCCYM there were folks with Doctorates in Ministry and Theology holding positions that were not Catholic at all, and teaching these to other Youth Ministers. It was truly telling when the Methodist Keynote Speaker wanted to say the Apostle’s Creed together, and a very significant majority went into the Nicene Creed - a common mistake, but telling further when a Youth Minister nearby me said, “What? There’s more than one Creed?” The Blessed Sacrament was placed in a wooden box, (not allowed) there was a “prayer labryinth” next to it, and

A Youth Minister, paid or volunteer, needs to have enough of a grasp on the faith and a true love for Christ. That love for Christ means Orthodoxy–following the teachings of Christ’s Church. Yet, even Orthodoxy, to the NFCYM’s director, Bob McCarty, is a bad word, as shown here:

Our church has had a similar experience. We have divided the church into liberal or conservative camps, progressive or traditional blocks, and the far right and the radical left. Some claim to be “orthodox,” implying that others surely are deficient, but not able to define exactly their criteria for “orthodox.” Or, as the tee shirt states, “we are 100% Catholic,” reminiscent of a similar claim that led to quite a debate between Peter and Paul. We are Catholics United for the Faith and we are Call to Action. And somewhere in between, we are the Voice of the Faithful. If, as has been suggested, the church is in an identity crisis, the tendency is to identify who we are in contrast with who we are not. More exclusion.

Karl Keating certainly gives a simple definition of Orthodoxy in his article, “No Apology from the New Apologists.” The definition is extremely simple. Orthodox Catholics follow Church teaching. Heterodox Catholics do not. To equate that with Paul’s correction of Peter’s lack of impeccability, is, frankly, quite ignorant.

What is scarier, though, is the speakers at the conference - feminists theologians, strong proponents of women’s ordination, folks who insist on referring to the Trinity as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, laicized priests who have been forbidden from doing Catechesis in their home dioceses (both formally and according to Canon Law 292). This is troubling, to say the least–what is even more troubling is that 95% of American dioceses are dues paying members to the NFCYM.

JMJ Theresa asked, “What is the deal with Youth Ministers?” Well, the deal is, things certainly don’t look good. With the NFCYM as the one stop shop, it truly frightens me.

 

[puzzleannie]

I’m definitely making generalizations based on my experience. I think there is something wrong with the formation of youth ministers. The parishes I have been involved with have all had youth ministers that are focused not on bringing kids to greater holiness but in arranging social events. There doesn’t seem to be any desire to do catechesis, Bible studies, traditional Catholic prayer experiences (the retreats seem quite new agish). I am wondering if there is a benefit to even having a youth minister.

I’m sure the answer lies in their educational formation. ?

possibly you are right. in my experience the reason for what is perceived in a lack of proper direction of youth ministry in a given parish is a disconnect between what pastors and parishioners SAY they want from YM, and the direction actually given to the YM who is hired (or volunteers). Once enthusiastice, qualified youth ministers find out they have been hired as babysitters, to fill lack in social outlets for kids in their community, to provide unpaid service corps to the parish, they are quick to provide the program the parish really wants. When they are actively discouraged, or downright forbidden to provide more challenging, comprehensive programming, they get the message and either water down their program, bring in a pre-packaged program like Lifeteen, or just give up and get a real job.

sorry I got trapped again jumping into an old resurrected Lazarus thread.

if your parish wants youth ministry, please form and become part of the commission that decides precisely what that entails, then hire the person qualified to provide it, and provide appropriate oversight, feedback and support, including financial.

 

[twk001]

I was a paid, employed Youth Minister in my diocese for about 8 years prior to getting married.

For the first year or so in a new ministry, I’ll be honest to tell you that it’s all about getting warm bodies. By any means necessary, you have to get them there and entice them first. The teachings of the church have to come later.

In my area, there are MANY MANY MANY evangelical youth ministry groups taking our Catholic youth away in droves. A bunch of us researched it, and we found that for the most part, these kids don’t want to sit and learn. They want to DO. If learning is included, okay.

I focused on doing as many social service type things that I could. We did mission work, took service trips, volunteered at soup kitchens, tutored for the young, that sort of stuff. And then once I had a good solid group of involved teens, that’s when we started the weekly “class” time. That too, though, was fun and was always started in a dark room with a candle and some sort of “teachable moment”. I used current music, an exerpt from a popular book, a movie piece, anything I could to tie into the subject of the week. As the classtime moved on, that’s when we applied the teachings of the church. In addition to this, we did lock-ins, movie nights, dances, things that they could bring friends to.

I was required to take classes to become certified in this. The Center for Ministry Development in CT offered these classes one weekend every few months over the course of two years. That was the VERY best time of my young adult life. I met and networked with many people who even today i keep in touch with.

I think that there are a lot of people out there who may think negatively of youth ministers for our lack of church doctrine. But to be quite honest, I am proud to say that at the begininning of my run, there were 9 high schoolers attending the weekly CCD classes. At the end of year 4, when they were all seniors, I had a total of 68 high school students faithfully attending every week. Over my ten years in the parish, I ministered to OVER 350 kids.I know for a fact that at least 6 kids went on to become youth ministers themselves in the Catholic church. So maybe we lacked a bit on theology and such, but I believe that I made a huge impact in their lives. They still write and call, 12 years later, to tell me so. AND,most are still practicing Catholics. My folks still attend the parish and update me. twk

 

[leonie]

Our ineffectual youth minister (who had a masters in pastoral leadership) left last year to be replaced by two nondegree laymen with partial stipends. The program went from 5 to 6 active youth to over 40 meeting weekly. Plus, our Confirmation program improved dramatically. Under the old youth minister, the kids had a handful of ill attended social events and a few service projects. The youth minister just said that there was no interest. The new program did Theology of the Body for Teens as well as studying the letters of Pope B16.

This is one area where leadership is very important.

 

[sanctamaria17]

It’s not about degrees or whatever. Youth ministry takes leadership.

While catechesis, etc are important, these kids are hungry for something to do!! Social events are important because teens need to hang out together, build a good group of friends in a safe setting, etc. My mother was glad I hung out with friends at youth group, supervised by our parish priest and many other dedicated, volunteer parents than out drinking or getting high like most of the kids in my town!

Our Catholic community on campus had similar issues. We have a very orthodox chaplaincy, plenty of resources on the faith, classes, retreats, daily Mass, etc, but we need social events! We need to do some type of service! We need to grow as a community! That’s what fellowship is, creating community. Yes, these kids need spiritual formation, but they also need to be able to do anything, whether it’s eating pizza, watching movies, hanging with friends or feeding the poor and serving the community, for the glory of God.

Not only that, but I have seen many kids leave the Catholic Church for an evangelical one, just because of more opportunities. I’m on the exec. board for our school’s Catholic community and one thing we try to do is get the Catholics on campus interested. We have a jogging group, movie nights, dinners, Christmas parties, formals, etc to facilitate that. Before we start telling them about doctrine, praying the rosary, etc, we show them that there ARE other young Catholics out there and that we’re somewhat normal! It also builds a strong bond between members and helps forge friendships.

 

[apricot_yogurt]

Darn. I thought the OP had reemerged after 2 years.

 

[stpiusx]

I know that this is an old thread, but I think JMJ Theresa has a right to be concerned, here. The NCCYM, the National Conference for Catholic Youth Ministry in Cleveland was a strong disappointment to me. I am a Youth Minister, and yes, I have seen a lot of the same hardships.

A Master’s in Theology, sadly, does not mean much anymore. At the NCCYM there were folks with Doctorates in Ministry and Theology holding positions that were not Catholic at all, and teaching these to other Youth Ministers. It was truly telling when the Methodist Keynote Speaker wanted to say the Apostle’s Creed together, and a very significant majority went into the Nicene Creed - a common mistake, but telling further when a Youth Minister nearby me said, “What? There’s more than one Creed?” The Blessed Sacrament was placed in a wooden box, (not allowed) there was a “prayer labryinth” next to it, and

A Youth Minister, paid or volunteer, needs to have enough of a grasp on the faith and a true love for Christ. That love for Christ means Orthodoxy–following the teachings of Christ’s Church. Yet, even Orthodoxy, to the NFCYM’s director, Bob McCarty, is a bad word, as shown here:

Karl Keating certainly gives a simple definition of Orthodoxy in his article, “No Apology from the New Apologists.” The definition is extremely simple. Orthodox Catholics follow Church teaching. Heterodox Catholics do not. To equate that with Paul’s correction of Peter’s lack of impeccability, is, frankly, quite ignorant.

What is scarier, though, is the speakers at the conference - feminists theologians, strong proponents of women’s ordination, folks who insist on referring to the Trinity as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, laicized priests who have been forbidden from doing Catechesis in their home dioceses (both formally and according to Canon Law 292). This is troubling, to say the least–what is even more troubling is that 95% of American dioceses are dues paying members to the NFCYM.

JMJ Theresa asked, “What is the deal with Youth Ministers?” Well, the deal is, things certainly don’t look good. With the NFCYM as the one stop shop, it truly frightens me.

+J.M.J.+
i refuse to go to anything NFCYM sponsored anymore because of the speakers that they have at their conferences. i keep joking with a fellow y.m. that we need to start the National Catholic Youth Ministers who are Orthodox Organization. there are plenty of orthodox youth ministers out there, it just might take some looking around to find them