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Tag Archives: Core Team

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Greenhouses of Faith

By | October 5, 2010

Ever wondered at a multi parish youth event why the teens from the parish across your diocese seemed so much more alive and into their faith than the teens you brought? It just might be that you are not taking advantage of the amazing greenhouses of faith that are offered for teens these days.

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If the Shepherd is on Fire – the Sheep Will Feel the Heat!

By | September 13, 2010

A priest once told me that the parishioners at his inner city parish are always encouraging him to be fired up! They often say to him – “If the shepherd is on fire – the sheep will feel the heat!” Being in a leadership role with the responsibility of shepherding several flocks, I know how important it is for me to be fired up about things. If you are in a position of leadership, are you on fire enough for your mission to have the people who you are leading feel the heat

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If You Want to Learn to Do Youth Ministry…

By | September 8, 2010

I know of no more important ministry at a parish than youth ministry. Current statistics reveal that teens that are not involved in their parish have over a 90% chance on not being a practicing Catholic later in life. Youth ministry plays a critical role for our Church as a main way to have teens involved at a parish. So if you feel a pull or calling toward youth ministry here are some things to consider.

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4 Reasons Core Members Quit

By | August 12, 2010

The model of having a team of leaders who are responding to a Baptismal call to serve teens can be a really effective model. In concept it potentially takes so much pressure off a single youth leader to do all the outreach, planning and relational ministry. In practice, it can help parishes reach more teens for Christ. So why is it that it is so hard to find and keep good Core members? Maybe it’s time to look in the mirror and see what we may be doing that may be a roadblock to keeping Core members at our parish.

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5 Things That Teens Are Counting On

By | August 2, 2010

In the Northern Hemisphere, Teens will be heading back to school and heading back to a parish this fall. As a companion of teens on their faith journey, there are some basic things that teens are counting on you doing and being. Here are 5 things that teens are counting on from you.

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The “Come To Us” Model and Why it is Not Cutting it in Catholic Youth Ministry!

By | June 3, 2010

Is youth ministry at your parish completely dependent on teens just showing up – the “Come to Us” Model? Are you operating out of the pseudo “Field of Dreams Model” of build it and they will come? Sad news is that these models aren’t as effective any more. If you and your team aren’t meeting teens where they are – at school, sports, drama, places where teens work, shopping malls and anywhere else teens are hanging out in your area – chances are you are reaching less and less teens.

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Things That Are Out of Date In Catholic Youth Ministry

By | April 14, 2010

Ever wonder if what you are doing is reaching teens? Here is a list of things that I consider to be out of date for Catholic Youth Ministry:

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Tapping into the Principle – When a Discipline Becomes a Desire

By | April 5, 2010

Ever make a commitment to do something consistently every day? It takes a lot of discipline to do something like this. Maybe you just finished Lent and committed to giving up something for 40 days. Often times when we do this we find that what once was a discipline has now become a desire. It’s true what starts off as discipline can often turn into something we want to keep doing. Here are three steps to do this:

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5 Guaranteed Ways to Never Be Peaceful in Catholic Youth Ministry

By | March 17, 2010

If you’re like the majority of Catholic youth minister’s out there, you’re a self-doubting bundle of hang ups, determined to believe that your ministry will never be good enough. It’s the life of the angst-ridden, misunderstood youth minister, right? Wait a minute, what’s that? You think you’re pretty good at Catholic youth ministry and actually like some of your accomplishments? Don’t worry, it’s just a blip. With these 5 tips you’ll soon be joining the rest of the Catholic youth ministry community in feeling anxious about your abilities and so-called “gifts.”

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How Much Time Does It Take to be an Effective Youth Minister?

By | February 19, 2010

The most valuable thing you can give to teens is your time. I see a lot of youth leaders excited to serve teens, but get overwhelmed by the amount of time it actually takes to be effective as a youth minister. “The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.” – Norman Vincent Peale