So how do you reach them outside of the physical walls of the church? First, you meet them where they are at. So, here are five places where you will find teenagers and strategies to reach them.
The first resource you'll find is a Life Night series called Making Sense. This series helps teens understand how God's grace is found in the sacraments of the Church so that they will be strengthened in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The road was little more than a path of dirt covered with small jagged rocks and pebbles. It was far from a desirable place to lay your head, much less land on. How humbling it must have been for Saul, powerful Saul, to quickly go from being the hunter to the hunted.How ironic that he landed upon the earth when God humbled him, for both ground and humility share the same root word in Latin (a language Saul certainly knew).
Love. Kindness. Compassion. Acceptance. These should be foundational attributes in every youth leader. We walk into parish halls, meeting rooms, and youth rooms with an immense responsibility to find love in all of the young people we minister to and empower them to continue to find love in others.
Growing up I loved holidays and all of the traditions my family had. But, all of a sudden, my once joyful and happy holiday experience was different, very different and sad. It was only through my relationship with Jesus, prayer, and good friends that helped me navigate the least wonderful time of the year.
All those who work in youth ministry and who are married know this - behind every great, passionate, enthusiastic, and strong-willed youth minister, there is an even stronger, humble, patient, and compassionate spouse. Well, let's correct that right off the bat, not standing behind, but walking beside.
Where it might be tempting as a Catholic to spiritualize or minimize sexual crimes because of our faith we now have a duty to take them more seriously than ever.
