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Category Archives: Youth Group Management
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Keeping Youth Ministry Fun & Alive
One of the worst things I ever hear out of my teens mouths is when they, speaking about a teacher, class, event, etc. say, “It was sooooo boring.” It sends shudders down my spine, gets me sweating and thinking, “Ohmigosh, was Sunday’s Life Night boring?? Is that what they told their friends on Monday at school?”
Having a “boring” youth group is the fear of every youth minister who is planning and making decisions about youth group for the teens and not for themselves (Let’s be honest - what adult REALLY loves the messy, wet game night? We do that for THEM!). The question, then, is how do we keep our youth ministry fun and alive even on Sundays that are not a Minute-to-Win-It night?
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Gearing Up For A New Semester!
Well the summer has come to an end and just when you thought you would get a break, it is time for a brand new school year! Remember first things first, you cannot take care of anyone else until you are taking care of yourself. The teens will take the first couple of weeks of school to adjust to new changes in their lives. Freshmen are getting used to a new environment and a more mature world; sophomores and juniors are adjusting to the harder academics; seniors ‘think’ they are home free. As youth ministers this is an important time to be available to your teens so don’t over book yourself. Here are some tips to allow your teens and Core to gather, relax and start a great new year!
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“Um… Jake, I am bleeding!” Preparing for Summer Activities, Trips, and Retreats
As you may well know, most retreats, summer camps and outdoor activities typically have someone in need of minor medical attention. Here are three easy ways to be prepared for any and all medical situations that might arise from teens seeking their own “badge.”
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A Youth Minister’s Guide for Planning Truly Safe Events
The chances are you will be taking a group of teens to an event, retreat or conference in the near future. Events and retreats are a beautiful part of our ministry to youth. These events may take place in different areas of the country and may vary from one day youth rallies to weeklong conferences. Regardless of the location, length or number of youth, the one constant is the need to ensure a safe environment for everyone involved. Here is a list to help you evaluate if the youth events you are planning and attending are truly safe.
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Relational Ministry: Outreach Events
As Core Teams and youth ministers we know that going to our teens’ events can make a big impact. After a number of years in youth ministry, I think I have now been to nearly every sporting event the public school system has to offer. I have also seen some amazing plays, moving orchestra concerts [...]
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Turning the Tables: Ministry to the Core Team
How are your Core Members doing? Take a moment and think about everything you’ve done in ministry this year and then look at what you have planned. Does your Core know that they are loved and appreciated? Do you know how they are doing spiritually? Before you read anymore, take a moment to pray for [...]
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Dealing with the “Other Stuff” of Youth Ministry
When I first started in youth ministry I was green, youthful, and enthusiastic. I attended Diocesan meetings excited, only to encounter tenured youth ministers who appeared burned out. The longer I stayed in youth ministry, the more I understood how people get burned out. On the outside I was as enthusiastic as ever, but in [...]
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Just In Time: “In Focus, A Movie Guide for Catholics”
Take a deep breath… there is now less than 40 days till Christmas. While we know that this should be a time of joyful anticipation for the celebration of the birth of our Lord, the reality is this countdown inspires just as much trepidation as jubilation. And for those of us in ministry (whether that [...]
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Don’t Be A “Bridezilla” At Your Life Teen Kickoff
I just got off the phone with a youth minister who asked me for some last minute words of advice prior to her parish kickoff this weekend. In our conversation I told her that the most important thing to do on the big day is to pray and be present to the teens. As much [...]
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When It’s Not “All Good”: Thoughts on constructive criticism in ministry
“It’s All Good.” You’ve probably heard that phrase before, and I want to tell you from the start that I have never been a fan of it. While I suspect that the intention of those who utter those words is to be positive and look for the good things in life (a very noble thing!), [...]
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Tips on Helping Teens Dress with Modesty
I work at a parish in South Florida that is located about 5 miles from the beach. It is sunny and warm year round and the dress attire of the parish usually reflects the weather. Recently, I was at a funeral at our parish and I looked around to discover that I have never seen [...]
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Lessons from a First-Year Youth Minister
The alarm wailed, wailed, WAILED to tell the world of my big oversight. We were set to bob for apples, decorate pumpkins, and laugh over pie-eating contests. The fog machine was supposed to set the scene for trick-or-treating in the hallway. Except for that darn smoke detector. Whoops! Youth ministry should be humbling, and I [...]
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Practical Tips for Teaching Teens to Pray
A few months ago I took twelve of my teens to our Lenten Parish Mission to listen to a talk about the Holy Spirit and evangelization. I’ll never forget it. I was sitting in the front row at the end of the pew next to my teens. The speaker asked us to open up our [...]
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Learning from the [Good] Parents of Reality Television
Ever since our favorite (or not so favorite) Octa-mom, Nadya Suleman, burst through the delivery room and into our homes, I have been enthralled by reality shows like 18 Kids and Counting, Jon & Kate Plus 8 and Table for 12. Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar from 18 Kids and Counting amaze me. With children [...]
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Edge Small Group Discussions and the Brain of a Middle School Youth
Anyone who has ever worked in middle school ministry has at one point asked the same question: Does every middle school youth have ADD? Q: How many middle school youth does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: Wanna go ride bikes? Oh look, something shiny! To gain and maintain the attention of [...]
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4 Common Mistakes of Starting Life Teen (And How to Avoid Them)
As the youngest child in my family, I have found tremendous joy learning from my mistakes of my brother and sisters. If you are the youngest in your family you know what I’m talking about. Your older siblings make massive mistakes, and you just sit back thankful you’re not the one with the bar of [...]
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Dealing with Dating Drama in Your Life Teen Program
Dating… boyfriends, girlfriends, hookups and breakups. As a high school minister, it is all part of the scene. Teens are dating someone, wanting to date someone or trying to get out of dating someone (and sometimes it is all three at the same time). As we attempt to lead teens closer to Christ, we cannot [...]
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Finding Teen Leaders in Your Youth Program
Do you know where your leaders are? For years I overlooked one of the most powerful tools in youth ministry and now I can’t help but think how many teens we could have reached if I had paid more attention developing teen leadership. I know this probably sounds like just one more thing on the [...]
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Ripping Off the Roof for the Teens in Your Parish
We had Confirmation at our parish two weeks ago, and something that our Most Reverend Bishop Cupich shared with the congregation struck a cord in my heart. His sermon which focused on the Gospel reading, Mark 2:1-12. It is the passage where a paralyzed man was taken to a house, and lowered in through the [...]
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Four Tips for Remembering Teens’ Names