Blog

Category Archives: Edge

Blog

4 Practical Tips for Keeping a Middle Schooler’s Attention

By | November 19, 2012
2012-11_CYM-MiddleSchoolAttention

I love middle schoolers and I love leading our Edge program. But when you fill a gym with sixty 6th, 7th, 8th graders, there’s always a huge mass of noisey energy. This is definitely overwhelming, especially for the new Edge leader. I’ve often wondered how many times I’ve “Shhhh’d” or “Hey guys, can I have your attention” in one Edge meeting.

When I first started working with this age, I was really frustrated by the fact that I couldn’t hold their attention for very long at a time and that I spent more time trying to get their attention and get them quiet than anything else.

Blog

I Didn’t Have a “Clue”

By | November 5, 2012
featured_clue

Lastly, I learned the importance of paying attention to who is walking in the door. Middle school youth feel awkward in their own skin and walking into a room where they may or may not know anyone is terrifying. We need to be proactive about being present to every youth that walks in the door.

Blog

Empowering 8th Graders

By | July 17, 2012

Eighth graders sometimes start to feel “too big for their britches” as the year winds down. Attendance will start to slip, other things will come up, and they’ll be out of Edge before you know it. Capitalize on the end of the year to let the teens have some control in the Edge Programming. Catechetical Nights When an opportunity arises for a skit or performance, empower your eighth graders to perform! Sure – you’ll have to meet with them a little bit more – and they might goof off

Blog

New Edge Products for the Feast of St. Dominic Savio

By | March 9, 2012
2012-03_CYM-EdgeProduct

March 9th marks the feast day for a saint that I have recently been introduced to: St. Dominic Savio. Dominic was an extraordinary young man of faith who died at the early age of 15. However, even from very early in his life, Dominic was prayerful and grew in virtue. He went to school and was taught by (St.) John Bosco and at times exemplified a young man completely devoted to prayer and leading others to Christ. Dominic is the patron saint of altar servers and those who are falsely accused.

Blog

The New Edge Box has Arrived! November 2010

By | November 22, 2010

What’s a great way to celebrate Advent? Getting an Edge Support box! I pray that your new semester is underway and the middle school youth are diving into your Edge ministry. If you have not yet kicked off, please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you. This box contains the third installment in our six-semester curriculum. In addition to the sheer joy of middle school ministry, here is what you will find in the November 2010 box: Edge Semester Planning Guide: Church Semester.

Blog

Announcing Life Teen’s 2011 Theme: “Veni Sancte Spiritus”

By | November 16, 2010

Are your teens and parish “fired up” when the Spirit’s fire falls or do the cradle Catholics in the pews reach for extinguishers out of a desire to remain comfortable? How do you typically celebrate the movement of the Holy Spirit in your daily life?

Blog

Taking Middle School Youth Deeper in Prayer

By | October 15, 2010

“Prayer…brings the saving power of Christ into the decision and actions of everyday life.” – John Paul II That statement is so true! As youth ministers, we can all hopefully attest to the wonders of prayer in everyone’s life. But we also know that diving deeper into prayer is not something that happens overnight. Add that challenge to the life of a middle school youth, and suddenly you feel as though you’re trying to climb Mt. Everest! Here’s a few practical ways you can bring

Blog

The Case for Edge Ministry

By | October 6, 2010

I am excited to say that middle school ministry is one of the fastest growing ministries today. When I first began in ministry 15 years ago, there were very few parishes doing middle school youth ministry. However, this year alone, more than 200 parishes have begun implementing the Edge. Why is middle school youth ministry growing so fast? Here are a few thoughts

Blog

Edge Nights Part IV: Send Them on Their Way

By | October 1, 2010

Be sure to give plenty of time for the Send portion of your Edge Night. When I was leading my Edge program, there were some nights the youth came back in the room and we barely had time to say a closing prayer before parents were texting their child to come outside. Just like the Gather, the Send does not have to chaotic; rather it can be a great time to pray with the youth in your group and lead and challenge them for the upcoming week.

Blog

Dealing with Unacceptable Behavior in Middle School Youth

By | September 27, 2010

No one ever signs up to be a youth minister for the joy of being a disciplinarian. It is, however, one of those areas that come with the territory (like mopping, filing folders, copying papers, and the occasional bathroom plumbing issue…). Individual behavior like anger, negative comments, hitting, personal boundary issues and bullying are just a few common issues you may face in your middle school youth group. These issues, if not dealt with, can draw other youth into participating in the same disruptive behavior. They can cause distraction in small groups and can eventually interfere with the behavior of the whole group.