Youth Ministry 101
The need to reach out to youth is a mission
that the Catholic Church understands. Connecting with that
mission is where the confusion lies. Although there are
many who understand the importance of youth ministry, few
Catholic ministers outside of youth ministry circles fully
grasp the role and responsibilities of those who minister
to young people.
Catholic youth ministry has evolved from
its beginnings as the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization),
to a holistic, comprehensive method to meet the spiritual,
catechetical and social needs of younger and older adolescents.
Helping those who minister to youth specifically (youth
& campus ministers, pastors, liturgy and music directors
and volunteers, teachers and coaches) and those who minister
indirectly (pastoral teams and councils, pastoral staffs,
parish members) is the purpose of this course. Understanding
the components necessary to develop strategies towards this
comprehensive approach is the goal of this course experience.
This course, authored by experienced youth
ministers, is designed to advocate for youth ministers the
importance of their ministry in the church. This course
will unpack the 1997 U.S. Bishops' document regarding youth
ministry, "Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic
Youth Ministry." We will explore both the practical and
theoretical applications of this document for parish life.
Unit 1:
- The History and Transformation of
Youth Ministry
- Three Goals of Youth Ministry
- Definition of Relational Youth Ministry
- Partnership with Parents/Parish
Unit 2:
- Introducing the Components of Advocacy,
Catechesis, Evangelization and Leadership Development
- The Importance of a Catholic Youth
Ministry Leader
- Difference between Youth Ministry,
Youth Group and Catholic Youth Organization
Unit 3:
- Introducing the Components of Community
Life, Prayer & Worship, Justice & Service and Pastoral
Care
- Definition of Comprehensive Youth
Ministry
- The Grid - a tool for evaluation
Unit 4:
- Community Involvement
- Embracing the Vision - Effective Practices
- Further Exploration
All course materials are available in
the course.
- Created by experienced youth ministers.
- Five weeks in duration, with one week
for orientation.
- Typically 15-20 students in each course.
- All lecture text available online in
course.
- Supplemental readings are provided
to encourage further exploration of topic, internet links
provided for all readings.
- Weekly written assignments (150-200
words) required.
- Facilitator moderated chat sessions
with students in course.
Requirements for course include:
- Weekly reading of assigned texts.
- Participation in class discussion using
discussion area (minimum 2 comments, questions or responses
weekly.)
- Weekly written assignment (150-200
words.)
- Weekly chat session with other students
in course (3 required throughout course.)
- Course evaluation.
- 3 to 5 hours a week (time varies from
student to student depending on your learning style and
schedule.)
A Certificate of Completion awarding 20
Contact Hours will be sent upon completion of all course
requirements.
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Chris Culver completed
his Masters of Divinity in 2000 from the University
of Notre Dame. He has over ten years experience as
a catechist, and five years experience as associate
director in the Fort Wayne/South Bend Diocesan Office
of Youth Ministry. He has completed a national certificate
in youth ministry. He currently teaches at St Joseph's
Catholic High School in South Bend. He loves the work
and challenges that come with youth ministry. He is
married and has three children, Ben, Sophie and Joshua.
Chris is also an officer in the United State's Naval
Reserve.
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Greg Sweeney is completing his 11th
year as a professional youth minister, serving parishes
in Phoenix, Arizona and South Bend, Indiana, as well
as spending seven years as a youth ministry volunteer
in Denver, Colorado and Phoenix. He earned a Master
of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from St. Mary's
University of Minnesota in Winona. Greg serves the youth
of Christ the King Parish and St. Joseph Parish, both
in South Bend, IN, where he lives and plays with his
wife, Tish and son, Patrick. |
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