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Tag Archives: Mission

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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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New Ideas Welcomed – Sort Of?

By | July 28, 2010

What an exciting time for Catholic Youth Ministry! The reality is that teen culture continues to change. There are many new ideas and practices being developed to reach teens. Ever wonder why some ideas when first introduced aren’t received well by the rest of the Catholic youth ministry world? Here is an overview depicting acceptance of new Catholic youth ministry practices and the timeline it takes for the ideas or changes to be embraced, implemented,eventually rejected and then become legendary.

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Grading on a Curve: Critical Questions to Ask When Evaluating Your Ministry

By | July 4, 2010

Right at this moment, stop and rate your youth ministry program on a scale of 1-10. What rating did you give? Better yet, why did you give the ministry that ranking? When we evaluate our ministries, there are several factors that we use to judge its “successfulness.” Often the number of teens, or the amount of compliments (or complaints), or the supportiveness of the pastor and parish are keys factors – but should they be? “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8). Maybe it is time to take a different approach in evaluating youth ministry at your parish. Maybe it is time to ask how God sees our efforts in leading teens closer to Christ and how effective we are in His eyes. In the end, it is not about numbers or compliments or complaints – it is about faithfulness to the call God has placed on our hearts.

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Give Without Remembering – Receive Without Forgetting

By | July 2, 2010

I recently got an email from friend with the tag line – “Give without remembering – receive without forgetting”. I love this as it captures the heart of a servant and our need to give without anything attached, no desire for future favors or ever being recognized as a giver. It also reminds us that we are to be grateful for all the blessings we receive.

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Are You a Jan Stock?

By | June 23, 2010

You know, you have met them, people who go above and beyond and make things happen. My family and I visited Bryce Canyon National Park yesterday and we met a park ranger who really was impressive and stuck out – Jan Stock! She was amazing, her enthusiasm, dedication and communication skills were astounding. Here is 5 things that Jan Stock does very well! See how well you are doing in these 5 areas in regard to youth ministry: 1.) Connecting with People – Before she started her presentation on

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10 Things That Will Kill The Mood of a Youth Meeting

By | May 26, 2010

Want to make sure that you don’t kill the mood at your next youth event> Check out these 10 things to avoid….

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Are You a Bringer?

By | May 12, 2010

In the Catholic youth ministry world, there’s often a big difference between the bringers and everyone else. The bringers carry somebody or something. They seek or form community and make things happen. It’s not unusual to go to the smallest parish and find someone serving teens there who isn’t small at all. Sometimes, this is an unpaid servant, someone that’s inherited or acquired their mission out of necessity. Anyway, you can’t just say you’re an bringer and be one. It takes a lot of prayer and surrender to be a real bringer!

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Learning From 25 Amazing Years of Catholic Youth Ministry – Thank You St. Timothy’s

By | April 9, 2010

This Sunday (Divine Mercy Sunday) is the 25th Anniversary of the first Life Teen Mass at St. Timothy’s Catholic Community in Mesa, Arizona – where Life Teen began. Even for most of the parishoners at St. Tim’s the significance of this amazing day may not be fully realized. Imagine if your parish had strong youth ministry for 25 years?

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What Does Archbishop Gomez’s Appointment in LA Require of You?

By | April 7, 2010

As Matt Maher and his band hit the chords of our closing song Archbishop Gomez beamed, sort of Pope John Paul II like, when he was in the presence of young people. I remember thinking – Archbishop Gomez loves teens – he truly loves them. As he was leaving that day – he told me to invite him again and shared his desire to serve.