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Author Archives: Randy Raus
Randy Raus
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5 Things That Teens Are Counting On
In the Northern Hemisphere, Teens will be heading back to school and heading back to a parish this fall. As a companion of teens on their faith journey, there are some basic things that teens are counting on you doing and being. Here are 5 things that teens are counting on from you.
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New Ideas Welcomed – Sort Of?
What an exciting time for Catholic Youth Ministry! The reality is that teen culture continues to change. There are many new ideas and practices being developed to reach teens. Ever wonder why some ideas when first introduced aren’t received well by the rest of the Catholic youth ministry world? Here is an overview depicting acceptance [...]
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The New Busy – Is it Impacting Your Ministry?
I have talked to a lot of youth leaders and pastors this summer and I have grown keenly aware of a trend or direction in ministry. At a youth conference last weekend after I had complimented his choice for youth minister, a pastor of a parish attending shared a concern that his youth minister was spending a lot of time with teens at camps and conferences this summer. The pastor went on to tell me how the youth minister needed to realize that he needed to be careful not to let things like email and administrative aspects fail or to let the perception of the other parish staff seem like he wasn't working. It immediately made me aware that even though the youth minister was really doing a great job in relational ministry (what we pray every youth leader will be doing a great job with) he was still being primarily or at least equally evaluated for his administrative skills or worse yet how it appeared to other staffers? It made me think of how our system of ministry can fail or be at odds with the one of the primary ministry postures of spending time with teens, not to mention spending time in prayer. It made me wonder if there is a "New Busy" that is zapping all the energy out of well intentioned youth leaders?
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It Goes with the Territory
When I was growing up almost every time I would whine and complain about something, my dad would simply say - "It goes with the territory" - meaning that more than likely what I was complaining about was something that went along with either the choices I had made or that it was part of being the age I was and wishing I was more grown up. The reality for us in Catholic youth ministry is that there are a lot of potentially unpleasant things we face simply because it goes with the territory. The key is not focusing on all the negatives we face but in realizing the positives that go with the territory.
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3 Ways to Not Only Survive but Thrive On a Low Ministry Budget
So you have a great group of teens and you are psyched about how God is moving. But there’s just one catch: you have a low budget and don’t know how to keep up with other ministries that have all the bells and whistles. Well…don’t worry, do something about it. I keep hearing from Catholic youth leaders that they have a small budget or that their budgets have been cut. Most parishes operate on a budget that starts in July. If you find yourself in a situation where your budget has just been cut or you have always operated on a small budget - here are 3 ways to not only survive but thrive with less budget dollars:
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Give Without Remembering – Receive Without Forgetting
I recently got an email from friend with the tag line - "Give without remembering - receive without forgetting". I love this as it captures the heart of a servant and our need to give without anything attached, no desire for future favors or ever being recognized as a giver. It also reminds us that we are to be grateful for all the blessings we receive.
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5 Ways to Get the Most Out of the 2010 Life Teen Leadership Conference
Next Monday over 450 teens will attend our annual Life Teen Leadership Conference. This year our conference is at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. If you are heading to Kansas for the conference – here are 5 ways you can make sure you have one of the best weeks of your life. 1.) Meet New [...]
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Are You a Jan Stock?
You know, you have met them, people who go above and beyond and make things happen. My family and I visited Bryce Canyon National Park yesterday and we met a park ranger who really was impressive and stuck out – Jan Stock! She was amazing, her enthusiasm, dedication and communication skills were astounding. Here is [...]
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The “Come To Us” Model and Why it is Not Cutting it in Catholic Youth Ministry!
Is youth ministry at your parish completely dependent on teens just showing up - the "Come to Us" Model? Are you operating out of the pseudo "Field of Dreams Model" of build it and they will come? Sad news is that these models aren't as effective any more. If you and your team aren't meeting teens where they are - at school, sports, drama, places where teens work, shopping malls and anywhere else teens are hanging out in your area - chances are you are reaching less and less teens.
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10 Things That Will Kill The Mood of a Youth Meeting
Want to make sure that you don't kill the mood at your next youth event> Check out these 10 things to avoid....
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If You Want to Learn Current Teen Culture – You Will Love These Sites!
How familiar are you with teen sexting, girl bullying, club drugs or that teens are back into bowling? How up to date are you with today's teen culture? Check out these 5 websites to make sure that Catholic youth ministry at your parish stays connected to the world of teens you are seeking to journey with.
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5 Questions Core Members Should Be Asking New Teens!
It is said that you only have one chance to make a good first impression. This is the time of year when the rising freshman are invited to their first Life Night. Take the focus off yourself and dive in and get to know the new teens showing up these days at your parish. Here [...]
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Are You a Bringer?
In the Catholic youth ministry world, there's often a big difference between the bringers and everyone else. The bringers carry somebody or something. They seek or form community and make things happen. It's not unusual to go to the smallest parish and find someone serving teens there who isn't small at all. Sometimes, this is an unpaid servant, someone that's inherited or acquired their mission out of necessity. Anyway, you can't just say you're an bringer and be one. It takes a lot of prayer and surrender to be a real bringer!
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Stuff – In the Best (Catholic) Sense of the Word!
Let's face it - teens like stuff! Teens lives are filled with "Stuff" - but is it the best stuff or stuff that merely clutters an already busy life? Teens want the fullness of our faith and one of the treasures the Catholic faith offers are rich traditions and symbols. Make sure that you fill your youth rooms and retreat centers with Catholic items. Items like rosaries, prayer cards and Saint Medals all reinforce the faith for young people. If you can, try to incorporate giving teens religious items when you can. It's graduation and Confirmation time for many of us so here are some keys to gifts that can transform!
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If You Expect A Lot – You Will Get A Lot!
In my years of Catholic Youth Ministry I have embraced the concept of having high expectations of the young people we are trying to lead closer to Christ! As leaders we can't sell young people short and expect less. Yesterday at a Catechetical Symposium I helped lead in the Archdiocese of Boston there was a fishbowl sharing experience that included some college students. At the end we asked them to give the youth leaders, DRE's and Catholic school teachers present a word of advice. One young man simply said "If you expect a lot - you will get a lot!"
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Glimpses
- seeing the teen, who didn't want to "get into it" because he was forced by his parents to go on retreat, standing in a large group of teens praying with his hands raised!
- hearing your DRE walking by your office humming the tune from the closing song at Teen Mass last night!
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Happy – It’s Not Just a Yuppie Word
These days the word happy is carelessly thrown around. Even Switchfoot wrote a song entitled "Happy is a Yuppie Word" that speaks of the emptiness of the word happy. For Catholics, happy is something much more. Here is why I believe it is key to our Evangelizing others.
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Important Update from Life Teen President regarding Dale Fushek
I am writing to let you know some news regarding one of Life Teen’s founders. Today, Dale Fushek pled guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge involving inappropriate contact with a young man. The prosecution dropped an allegation that the contact was sexually motivated, meaning Dale Fushek will not be required to register as a sex offender. He was sentenced to a year of probation and a $250 fine by a San Tan Justice of the Peace in Phoenix, Arizona. The admission of guilt was part of a plea deal allowing him to avoid 5 separate trials scheduled to begin April 30, 2010.
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Things That Are Out of Date In Catholic Youth Ministry
Ever wonder if what you are doing is reaching teens? Here is a list of things that I consider to be out of date for Catholic Youth Ministry:
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4 Reasons Core Members Quit