The challenge is should we be using the internet as a resource for our ministry, not only to serve us in our needs but to utilize it as well as a venue by which we are to communicate as church with young people.

The ability to employ the new languages is required, not just to keep up with the times, but precisely in order to enable the infinite richness of the Gospel to find forms of expression capable of reaching the minds and hearts of all. In the digital environment the written word is often accompanied by images and sounds. Effective communication, as in the parables of Jesus, must involve the imagination and the affectivity of those we wish to invite to an encounter with the mystery of God’s love. Besides, we know that Christian tradition has always been rich in signs and symbols: I think for example of the Cross, icons, images of the Virgin Mary, Christmas cribs, stained-glass windows and pictures in our churches. A significant part of mankind’s artistic heritage has been created by artists and musicians who sought to express the truths of the faith.

Message for the 47th World Communications Day [celebrated May 12, 2013]
Pope Emeritus Benedict

Seems as if the answer might be definitively YES

Meanwhile, it should be noted that blogs, while often accused of dying, are transforming…

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This is Margaret’s favorite question. She is my collaborator in the office…  After all is said and done, she wants to understand the “So What?” the practical implication of it all.  Without a good “So What?”, why did we even do it anyway?

After this week’s posted introspection on an exit strategy, considering deconstruction, and how we as a culture need to stop stealing dreams along with some other events, here are my so what’s… being written live this morning and then posted up immediately…

> Not on the blog, but often in personal life, I will ironically joke that “I don’t like kids (especially my own.)”  Nothing is further than the truth, but I am probably unconsciously taking a shot at those in youth ministry who build their whole lives around kids.
I watched a popular Catholic speaker earlier this week, and the longer that the person went on with a canned presentation, the more I wonder if s/he actually liked kids… even their own.

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Ahhh, yea, that picture is not Kenda, by the way.  But, consider the point, what if we are actually doing a great job of communication?  What if we are missing the message that we claim to be presenting? What if we have to think even more about what it is we are doing and why we are doing it? What if?

What’s Next?

There are two takes on this question for me… and they both come from the Aaron Sorkin tv series The West Wing. The president, Jeb Bartlett, would end each meeting with the question, “What’s Next?” The agenda was never ending, and that always spoke to youth ministry sensibilities in me.  But this video offers another take on the question that we might avoid sometimes – maybe out of fear.

We are supposed to be explorers.

So, when a leading voice like Mark Oestricher suggests that the era of paid, professional youth workers is going to wane, and that we need to be intentional about creating models for mid-sized churches who will no longer be able to rely on a hired gun, how are we going about responding to that 1,000 pound “what’s next” question?

Mark explains his own rationale behind such theorizing, so hit the link. Kurt Johnson of Group magazine has his own take along the same track.  But, think about the question, what’s next?  What are the implications for conferences, youth ministry training, supervision, “binder” resources and curriculum, diocesan offices. You saw some of  our best guesses last week with the Bosco Day, but what else is next?  Why ask? Because the last thing that the Go-Nowhere Generation needs is sedentary risk-averse leadership and mentors.

Why ask “What’s Next?” Because we came out of the cave, and looked over the hill, and we saw fire, and we crossed the ocean, and we pioneered the West, and took to the sky. You know, the usual reasons.

On January 31, we gathered all our youth contacts on the Feast of Saint John Bosco to discuss direction towards the future. As the week ends, we have recapped the event.

On January 31, we gathered all our youth contacts on the Feast of Saint John Bosco to discuss direction towards the future. This week, we are recapping the event.

On January 31, we gathered all our youth contacts on the Feast of Saint John Bosco to discuss direction towards the future. This week, we are recapping the event. 

On January 31, we gathered all our youth contacts on the Feast of Saint John Bosco to discuss direction towards the future. This week, we are recapping the event. 

We know that the situation for youth ministry is changing.

We are watching the situation for today’s young people change very rapidly.  It’s very a very fluid time for them.  The culture is no longer overtly youth friendly.

What is happening now that is slowing you on the way to your youth ministry dream?

On January 31, we gathered all our youth contacts on the Feast of Saint John Bosco to discuss direction towards the future. This week, we are recapping the event.  Here’s the introductory videos.

New Year. It involves resolutions, anticipation of change.  Over at YouthMinistry.com, Kurt and Josh looked to the future and suggested

Three Things that Are Changing in Youth Ministry

> There are now many, many voices.  It used to be there were just a few leaders in the field. Now, via blogs, podcasts, etc there is almost a riotous noise of shared wisdom and experience from countless youth workers (Ahem, including this one!) There is room for your voice, too!
> Emphasis on parent ministry  We are finally beginning to sweat that parents are the primary discipler of their teenager.
> Team-based ministry  Youth ministry was never meant to be done alone!
> a bonus fourth: Church together Youth ministry is no longer an island to itself.

and Three Things that Aren’t Changing in Youth Ministry

> Caring Adult Leaders -Great volunteers have been a part of youth ministry for a long time – and they will continue to be in the future.
> 1-on-1 Time with Students Relational ministry is still most highly valued.  Our churches can do more of it with more Caring Adult Leaders
> Curriculum and Teaching – Scripture and (in our Catholic faith) Tradition at at the center of what we are passing along in youth ministry.
> another bonus fourth: A devoted follower of Jesus leading the group Leadership and gizmos make a difference, but discipleship matters.

As you look towards our shared future, be on of the many voices and comment of what’s changing and what ain’t changing in youth ministry . <image source>