1. Building a lasting youth ministry program
Ynez lizarraga

2. Renewing the vision (1997)
Goal 1: To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
Goal 11: To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community
Goal III: To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person
Whenever speaking about Youth Ministry, its important to know about the document created by the US Bishops- Renewing the Vision. Summary available at Available for purchase at

3. Comprehensive youth ministry- it takes a church
Group Ministry starts with a group and asks others to join. It assumes that youths’ needs are similar, that youth like to join groups, that youth are available at the same times, and that one or few adults can meet the needs of the group
Comprehensive Youth Ministry begins with a team of adults and youth formed for ministry. It assumes that youth have different needs, that youth like to choose how to be involved, that youth have hectic schedules, that many people doing a little can get a lot accomplished and that young people benefit by having a variety of adults to relate to

4. 8 components of youth ministry
Advocacy
Catechesis
Community Life
Evangelization
Justice and Service
Leadership Development
Pastoral Care
Prayer and Worship

5. Gather the youth Reach out to youth by: Advertising during Masses
The Church bulletin
Religious Education/Confirmation classes
Social media
Talking to parents

6. Listen
Have a listening session with the youth to see what they would like to do within the youth ministry. Present the results to your pastor and create a shared vision and plans for what will take place within the youth ministry program
It’s hard to have a uniform program since every church and every community is different

7. A team is crucial
Have a team of young adults and adults to help you. This will prevent burnout and also allows for more people with different gifts/talents to support the youth.

8. Engage the youth!
Begin with an engaging event or activity that brings youth from the parish together. Perhaps a movie night, board game night, etc.

9. Empower them Form a Core Leadership Team of youth.
These are youth that you see leadership qualities in who would be dedicated to the youth ministry program.
Ask them if they would like to be part of the core leadership team and develop a covenant/promise/contract.
With the leadership team, develop a consistent meeting time.
During meetings, ask them to help in the planning and promotion of events based on what the youth shared during the listening session.
***Group cohesion is key. Bonding time among the leadership team is important

10. Strengthen their faith
Start to strengthen the leadership team’s faith by attending more “faith-filled” events rather than just fun activities
Retreats
Archdiocesan Events
“On Fire NorCal Jam” – Vallejo
LA Congress, Steubenville San Diego, NCYC, Mission Trips
Go to other youth groups nearby

11. Give them the skills
Build their leadership skills- provide training on how to lead youth group meetings, facilitate discussions, lead activities, and give witness talks
Great resources from St. Mary’s Press- Total Youth Ministry series: Youth Leadership Development

12. Form a youth group
Develop a youth group that meets consistently (once a week, twice a month, once a month, etc). Ask for input from the teens on when the meetings should be.

13. Youth leadership
Have leaders on the core team lead the youth group meetings by developing agendas that you approve of in advance. For example, they choose the topic for the youth group meeting such as “Prayer.” The leaders come up with the agenda for the meeting-
Sample Youth Group Meeting:
Opening Prayer
Ice Breaker
Video on Prayer
Discussion on Prayer
Scripture reading on Prayer
Reflection/Meditation
Closing Group Prayer

14. plan Form a calendar of events that the youth want to participate in:
Service Projects
Socials
Fundraising
Parish involvement
Try to have a calendar set one year in advance. Provide the teens, parents, and the parish with the calendar

15. Include them in the parish
Engage the youth in parish community life
Have them attend/participate in the Parish Festival
Parish Fundraisers
Parish Events
***Mass- possibly a Youth Mass that all youth attend
Have flyers and a booth outside of church showing the community what the youth ministry is all about
Bulletin spotlight

16. parents Above all, KEEP PARENTS INFORMED and INVOLVED Parent Nights
ing System
Bulletin or Newsletter
Website
Permission forms
Build relationships!

17. Youth -> Young adults
Eventually, as the leadership team grows older, give them other roles and responsibilities.
For example, they become “Youth Advisors” to mentor the youth leaders or to help you as a youth minister. Maybe they are in charge of event planning, event promotion, etc. THEN eventually, they can build a YOUNG ADULT ministry on their own!

18. Looking forward
At the end of each Confirmation year, recruit new youth to be on the core leadership team.
Look toward the future. Who will replace you?

19. resources For Resources on Youth Ministry: http://www.sforeym.org
es.html
Facebook Group: Catholic Youth Ministers

20. Concrete Ideas
Concrete ideas for each component of youth ministry can be found at:
th%20Ministry.pdf

21. Thank you!
Ynez Lizarraga Associate Director for Youth Ministry Archdiocese of San Francisco