A few trends I am observing in Catholic Youth Ministry – let me know in the comments section if there are any more you think should be included.
1. The Ongoing Age Compression
Simply put – there is an age compression going on. The 10th grade student of 7 years ago in regard to issues they face is today’s 6th grader. This means that things like the classroom model of catechesis for middle school may need to be transformed into a more relational ministry setting. Maybe a format of a large group gathering that then breaks middle school students into small groups to discuss issues and Church teaching with older teens and adults leading them. This also means that high school youth ministry needs to have much more depth with prayer and more service opportunities than ever before.
2. A Return to Radical Discipleship
Teens are not looking for their parish to just entertain them, they are looking for the reasons to give all and follow Christ while they are young. Parishes that choose to form Discipleship relationships with young people are seeing fruit being born in the form of teens wanting to serve the Church by getting married and forming strong Catholic families, some being youth ministers and some becoming priests and nuns.
3. The Multi-Role Leader
Let’s face it, a good number of youth leaders have been asked to not only coordinate youth ministry but sometimes serve as DRE, young adult coordinator, middle school leader etc. The growing trend is for youth leaders to be multi dimensional for parishes. The need for delegation and team models is growing. No longer can a youth leader be an island and do everything themselves. The great news is that leaders are adapting and there is great ministry at many parishes even though leaders have been asked to coordinate multiple areas.
4. Movements of Missionaries
The growing number of Catholic youth ministries with full and part time missionaries is exploding. Organizations like Net Ministries, Focus, Adore, Fraternus, Life Teen and others are all seeing growth in the desire of young adults to serve as missionaries to teens and college students. All theses organizations provide not only ministry opportunities for missionaries, but formation as well. The great news is that many of these missionaries are leaving after 1 or 2 years of service and taking full time youth ministry positions in parishes and diocese. They are adding an element of Evangelization and a mission heart that is enlivening the Church.
#3 is one I am currently dealing with. Still working on building a solid team to help. Any advise/tips would be much appreciated.
I think it’s important to focus on quality over quantity. Make sure each event, meeting, class or gathering is purposeful and done with amazing quality. When you are in charge of multiple ministries in a parish – don’t offer a buffet approach for all ministries but more of a fine dining experience. Quality volunteers want to be involved in quality events.
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“This means that things like the classroom model of catechesis for middle school may need to be transformed into a more relational ministry setting.”
I think we’ve definitely transitioned from a point where the classroom model *may* no longer be working to a time when it is *definitely* not working. Middle school teens (maybe now even more so than high schoolers) are in desperate need of of loving adults to pour into their lives. They need those mentoring relationships BEFORE they get to high school and BEFORE they start making bad decisions.
RT @LifeTeen_CYM: 4 Catholic Youth Ministry Trends Worth Watching! http://bit.ly/fP6dbK Head to the website and share your thoughts!
RT @LifeTeen_CYM: 4 Catholic Youth Ministry Trends Worth Watching! http://bit.ly/fP6dbK I served with NET so have seen most of this.
RT @lt_randyraus: Just Posted: 4 Catholic Youth Ministry Trends Worth Watching! http://bit.ly/fP6dbK
I’ve worked in relational youth ministry, traditional/classroom catechesis (CCD/PREP) settings with 5th – 12th graders and have had the opportunity to compare and contrast these settings. Relational youth ministry is much more interesting and easy for the youth to participate, especially when on the time constraint of a little of an hour per week. There has to be a balance of both methods in order to best equip and reach the youth and to spark their interest and get their lively, active participation.
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Everything you say is right on, only it’s not really a new trend. It’s been going on at least the last 10 years or so. I’ve been doing volunteer youth ministry for over 20 years and most of the things you discuss have been happening for a while. One thing I’ve noticed that you didn’t mention: teens and young adults come alive in their faith particularly when they get involved in Catholic Charismatic Renewal. I’ve seen lots of evidence of this, esp. in the South. The kids want to be passionate about something and CCR gives them a vehicle for expression, P&W, adoration, service, evangelization, etc. Our best youth groups down here seem to be charismatic.