“Helping Youth Encounter God & Connect with the Gospel”
On four separate occasions, in the month of October, youth from across the diocese will gather for discussion, prayer, service to others and personal development. All of these gathers have at their core the mission stated above. At times many people may wonder how youth ministry differs from many of the various activities that we see our young people participating in. Parents may even wonder why it is important to encourage their children to participate in youth ministry, especially when they are already involved in sports, theatre, music, education, scouting and even service programs. Often these are the very activities that we see taking place in parish and diocesan youth ministry programs. So what is the difference?
Youth ministry is different than all of these programs, because it has at its core a distinct mission: to help youth encounter God and connect with the Gospel of Christ. Thus youth ministry is shaped by an understanding of God and how God is known and experienced by young people. Young people know and experience God in three primary ways: through relationships, through “mountaintop experiences” and through moments of presence.
The activities we see happening in our youth programs are facilitating r
elationship building, encouraging participation in retreats, camps, missions and pilgrimages, and helping our young people to know God in moments of beauty and quiet. These programs may look like fun and games but the fact of the matter is they are helping our young people develop lifelong connection to God, the Gospel and our church.
Let us continue in together to encourage youth, parents and other adults to be active participants in ministry to, with and for youth. You can find more information on the updated youth page on diopa.org, which now includes online registration.
Youth ministry is more than just another activity and it is never too late to get involved!
On four separate occasions, in the month of October, youth from across the diocese will gather for discussion, prayer, service to others and personal development. All of these gathers have at their core the mission stated above. At times many people may wonder how youth ministry differs from many of the various activities that we see our young people participating in. Parents may even wonder why it is important to encourage their children to participate in youth ministry, especially when they are already involved in sports, theatre, music, education, scouting and even service programs. Often these are the very activities that we see taking place in parish and diocesan youth ministry programs. So what is the difference?
Youth ministry is different than all of these programs, because it has at its core a distinct mission: to help youth encounter God and connect with the Gospel of Christ. Thus youth ministry is shaped by an understanding of God and how God is known and experienced by young people. Young people know and experience God in three primary ways: through relationships, through “mountaintop experiences” and through moments of presence.
The activities we see happening in our youth programs are facilitating r
elationship building, encouraging participation in retreats, camps, missions and pilgrimages, and helping our young people to know God in moments of beauty and quiet. These programs may look like fun and games but the fact of the matter is they are helping our young people develop lifelong connection to God, the Gospel and our church.Let us continue in together to encourage youth, parents and other adults to be active participants in ministry to, with and for youth. You can find more information on the updated youth page on diopa.org, which now includes online registration.
Youth ministry is more than just another activity and it is never too late to get involved!
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