WHAT IS YOUTH MINISTRY?
The Catholic Bishops of the United States defined Catholic youth ministry in the 1997 document Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry. This document lays out a structure, language, theology and a pastoral approach for responding to the personal and spiritual needs of today's youth. The document also identifies three goals and eight components that provides direction for this ministry.
YOUTH MINISTRY GOALS
- Goal 1- Empower: "To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today." (RTV 9)
- Goal 2- Participation: "To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community." (RTV 11)
- Goal 3- Growth: "To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person." (RTV 15)
YOUTH MINISTRY COMPONENTS
- Advocacy
- Catechesis
- Community Life
- Evangelization
- Justice and Service
- Leadership Development
- Pastoral Care
- Prayer and Worship
Read and learn more about Catholic youth ministry: Renewing the Vision: Youth Ministry
What is Youth Ministry? (NFCYM)
WHAT IS YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
In 1996, the Catholic Bishops of the United States promulgated a national pastoral plan for ministry with young adults, Sons and Daughters of the Light. The U.S bishops aimed to create a strategic plan to integrate young adults into the life of the Church by taking into consideration the various stages of life and circumstance that young adults find themselves in. This document identifies four tasks of Young Adulthood, and four goals, each goal having its own set of objectives and strategies.
TASKS OF YOUNG ADULTHOOD
- Developing Personal Identity
- Developing Relationships
- Developing a Meaning of Work
- Developing a Spiritual Life
GOALS OF MINISTRY WITH YOUNG ADULTS
- Connecting Young Adults with Jesus Christ
- Connecting Young Adults with the Church
- Connecting Young Adults with the Mission of the Church in the World
- Connecting Young Adults with a Peer Community
Read and learn more from Sons & Daughters of the Light: Young Adults
Helpful documents and resources:
OYYA Handbook Table of Contents
OYYA Handbook Home
OYYA Mission and Values
What We Do
Christus Vivit
Renewing the Vision: Youth Ministry
Sons & Daughters of the Light: Young Adults
Empowered by the Spirit: Campus Ministry
Planning for Excellence
Keys to Success
Effective Administration
Forms, Policies, and Guidelines
Suggested Resources