Parish Based Youth Ministry
Changing Paradigm
I'm sure you are aware of the change in people's view of the earth. For
thousands of years we thought the earth was flat and if we ventured too far out
we would fall off the edge. Then came the discovery that the earth indeed was
round, and there was a paradigm shift in the way that people saw their world. In
many ways youth ministry is like this. There is an almost subliminal thinking of
"This is the way we have always done things, and to change will be a
disaster". There is more than one way to work with youth in your parish.
Group Ministry
Traditionally, group ministry, has been the only accepted model of ministering
to youth. If your parish has a youth group, you are doing something. Most people
involved in parish life these says, were probably in some form of youth group
when we were younger. YCS, YCW, CYO and Catholic Youth clubs were everywhere. I
could spend time going into the changes in the world, the sense of Catholic
identity, and the issues facing young people today, but unfortunately that would
take too long! Suffice to say that when you have a group ministry, you start
with a group and ask others to join. I'm not saying this doesn't work, for a lot
of people this is a great starting point for bigger and better things in the
parish.
However this group model has a few drawbacks. Holding a regular group meeting
makes a few assumptions, that young people are similar, that they like to join
groups, that they are available at the same time and that one or a few adults
can meet their needs.
For some young people this can all ring true, and there are some great group
models for them to choose from. However what about those young people who don't
fit into these slots?
What are we doing for them?
Gathered/ Non Gathered Youth Ministry
The first part of the paradigm shift is to start to think of non gathered
models of youth ministry as well as gathered. Youth groups, movie nights, large
meetings and youth masses are all gathered approaches.
Youth ministry is also about meeting young people where their needs are. Setting
up a mentoring programme and including a young person on your parish pastoral
council are non gathered approaches.
Some people work better on a one to one. If you know of a young person out of a
job, and an adult who had skills in resume writing, linking the two is part of
youth ministry.
What can your parish do?
If you would like to look further into options for Youth Ministry in your
parish, please don't hesitate to email
CYM or phone us on 02 9473 4526
