Bob McCartyNational Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry

bobm@nfcym.org

Emerging Trends in Catholic Youth Ministry:

The Pain and the Promise!

Objectives:

Assess the current territory

Identify components for a new map

Provide new images for leadership

Something I believe about young people

is . . .

What youth most need from the church is . . .

The societal, cultural,

global change most

affecting young people

is . . .

Spirituality of Millennial Generation

Believers and belongers – but where?

Spiritual, but not necessarily religious

Spirituality of Millennial Generation

Focus on an individual relationship with Jesus

Spirituality of Millennial Generation

Emphasis on spiritual journey, versus organized religion

Discipleship versus membership

Spirituality of Millennial Generation

Desire to know and experience the transcendence and power of God

Spirituality of Millennial Generation

Desire for a real and personal experience of faith

Spirituality of Millennial Generation

Their experience of Church is critical

- Am I welcome here?

How is Jesus alive and meaningful today?

Spirituality of Millennial Generation

See Jesus as one who understands my suffering

Spirituality of Millennial Generation

Everything expresses the transcendent: the arts, gatherings, nature, devotionals

Spirituality of Millennial Generation

Want to grow in faith together with their peers –and with adults/family!

Spirituality of Millennial Generation

Want to find God in meaningful service

Entering New Territory

The question is not

Whether our children will have faith.

is

faith children!

CURRENT YOUTH MINISTRY CURRENT YOUTH MINISTRY PARADIGMPARADIGM

Entertainment Model

Information Model

Youth Ministry Leader Model

Youth Centered Model

MAPPING OUT MAPPING OUT THE TERRITORYTHE TERRITORY

Current Maps• CYO• CCD• SEARCH/TEC• Confirmation• Youth group

(variations)

Youth Group

Youth Group Model or

“One-Eared Mickey”

Assumes:

•that youth needs are similar

•that youth like to join groups

•that youth are available at the same time

•that one or a few adults can meet the needs of the group

Starts with a group and asks other to join

Integrating Youth into the Community

Assumes:

• that youth need to be connected with/to/in the community

• that youth want/need to build relationships with adults

• that youth have gifts to share with the community

• that youth are the “young Church of today”

A New Map for Youth Ministry

Youth Groupings

1976 1976 –– 2010: THE MINISTRY2010: THE MINISTRY

FROM:• Youth minister to Coordinator to LEM• Youth group to youth groupings• Young people to young people and families• Community to evangelization and catechesis

1976 1976 –– 2010: THE MINISTRY2010: THE MINISTRYFROM:• Peer community to parish faith community and

intergenerational (NSYR, Hardwired To Connect)

• VYM – accompaniment (Emmaus) to RTV –discipleship and mission

• Foster Catholic Identity

19761976--2010: SKILLS2010: SKILLSFROM:• Specialist (specific responsibility) to generalist

(corporate responsibility)• Doer of ministry to enabler of ministry• Program planning to volunteer management• Youth team to youth team and adult team• Lead meetings and gatherings to developing

leadership• Know youth and youth culture … AND theology

and parish ecclesiology

1976 TO 2010: SKILLS1976 TO 2010: SKILLS

FROM:• Missionary to youth culture to advocate for

youth in parish and societal arena• Crisis (suicide) to pastoral care (and child

protection!)• “What do I do?” to competency-based

standards and certification• Relational to relational!• Surviving to thriving

IMAGES FOR PASTORAL LEADERSHIPIMAGES FOR PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

Keeper of the Vision

Orchestrator of Gifts

Mobilizer of the Village

KEY PLAYERS IN THIS APPROACH:KEY PLAYERS IN THIS APPROACH:

* invite* welcome* provide hospitality* build relationships* foster youth

participation and belonging

* support discipleship -doing faith

The community is the context.How do we:

Our destination: Happy, Healthy, Holy

Adults

Forming adult believers and disciples of Jesus:

• Call to discipleship• Connect with the faith

community• Foster spiritual growth

Dimensions of a Ministry Map

The Call to Discipleship

Skills for living as a faith-filled person (apprenticeship)

Faith Skills

The skills necessary to deepen our relationship with God

The skills necessary to participate in the faith community

The skills for discipleship

Faith Skills

Deepen our relationship with God

How to pray

How to use scripture

Recognize God’s Presence

Keep the Sabbath

Faith Skills

To participate in the faith community

Participate in Mass and prayer experiences

Make and keep commitments

Appreciate the Tradition

Provide welcome and hospitality

Faith Skills

To live as disciples of Jesus

Make moral decisions

Develop an informed conscience

Reach out in service and compassion

Critical reflection/critique societal values

Dimensions of a Ministry Map

Small faith communitiese.g. Faith Sharing, Scripture, Disciples

Dimensions of a Ministry Map

Comprehensive approach• vertical and horizontal spirituality• head, heart, and hands = know, love, and serve God

Discipleship

Faith Formation

ReligiousEducation

Comprehensive Ministry

Home

Dimensions of a Ministry Map

Collaboration:

• begins with a shared understanding about the mission of the Church

• the identification, release, and union of all the gifts in ministry for the sake of mission.

• Partnerships between parents and staff

Implications:

Serving those who serve the young Catholic Church