Brooklyn Manual for Youth Ministry

Definition of Youth Ministry
Youth ministry is the response of the Christian community to the needs of young people, and the sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community. Youth ministry is to youth when the Christian community exercises its pastoral role in meeting young people’s needs. Youth ministry is with youth because young people share with adults a common responsibility to carry out the Church’s mission. Youth ministry is by youth when young people exercise their own ministry to others, particularly to their peers. Youth ministry is for youth in that adult youth ministers attempt to interpret the needs of youth and act as advocates in articulating youth’s legitimate concerns to the wider community.

Goals of Youth Ministry
Ministry with adolescents: works to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person; seeks to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the faith community; and empowers young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.

Responsibilities of the Parish Youth Minister

• Overall administration of the youth program, and coordination of activities within the various Youth Ministry settings
• Initiation and/or maintenance of a Youth Ministry planning team
• Involvement with the planning team in needs assessment and goal-setting for the parish Youth Ministry
• Formulation of a Youth Ministry plan that will include the ministries of: evangelization and catechesis, worship, community-building, justice and service, and guidance and healing  (See A Vision of Youth Ministry, a document from the USCC)
• Gathering appropriate resources for the youth ministry programs
• Directing the recruitment of leaders for youth ministry programs
• Defining the responsibilities of adult volunteers
• Willingness to become personally acquainted with youth and to be available to listen to them and guide them
• Arranging for outreach to youth alienated from Catholic community
• Maintaining frequent communication with parish staff, youth and adult leaders, parents and local high schools
• Participation in parish staff meetings and meetings of the Parish Council
• Coordinate and Implement worship/prayer experiences for teens and justice/service activities which foster community building
• Involvement in procedures for evaluating every aspect of the parish youth ministry
  Preparation and submission, on a regular basis, of written reports to the pastor, parish staff, and Parish Council
• Representing the needs and activities of youth to the broader community
  Maintaining a liaison with the Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry and advising youth leaders and adult volunteers about attending activities planned by the Diocesan Office
• Keeping updated on the developments in the field of Youth Ministry and youth culture through course-works, reading and attendance at seminars and workshops
  

Accountability
Since the work of the Coordinator of youth Ministry is part of the mission of the parish, the Coordinator is directly responsible to the pastor of the parish. The Coordinator does not work in isolation but works cooperatively with the clergy, REA, school principal, etc. But, for planning programs and events, permissions, evaluation of activities and on-going development of the parish Youth Ministry Program, the Coordinator is accountable to the pastor. However, as religious education/catechesis is taking place with youth, the Coordinator is strongly encouraged to collaborate with the parish REA.

Qualifications for a Coordinator of Youth Ministry

A. On the personal level, the Coordinator of Youth Ministry is:
-A person committed to Jesus Christ and His Church; devoted to spreading the Gospel; manifesting maturity, prayerfulness, optimism, prudence and is a practicing Roman Catholic
-A person with genuine affection for youth, and who works well with personas of various ages and backgrounds
-A person who communicates well both in one-to-one and in group settings

B.On the academic level, it is:
-Recommended that the Coordinator of Youth Ministry possess a Bachelor’s degree which reflects courses in religious education, theology, or pastoral ministry
-Mandated that the Coordinator of Youth Ministry take the course of studies given by the Office of Religious Education, in Youth Ministry, which are based on national standards for accreditation

C.  Certification to be a Coordinator of Youth Ministry is granted once the individual has fulfilled all requirements of the course of studies.

D.  Each Coordinator of Youth Ministry should complete an application from the Diocesan Office of Religious Education, which is then kept on file.

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