The challenge of discipleship, following Jesus, is at the heart of the Church’s mission. All ministry with young people needs to be directed towards discipleship, encouraging young people to develop their personal relationship with Jesus, fostering an understanding of the Good News, and participating in the discipleship’s worthy adventure towards Eternal Life.

All Christians are called through Baptism, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to life in Christ. This takes place within a supportive community, as members of the Body of Christ. We are called to reach out to young people, welcome them, help them find their place in the Church and accept and encourage the gifts and spirit they bring to the whole community. Without young people, the Body of Christ is not whole.

The Church needs to invite young people to see the Christian faith as a way of life that provides meaning, direction and purpose in their lives.

Discipleship calls us to live our Christian lives in the midst of the broader world. The models that are presented to young people need to be personally challenging and focused on reshaping the local, national and international world. We need to find concrete ways for young people to personally experience  the demands and the adventure of being a disciple, where young people are stretched in their experiences, given opportunities to further develop skills and deepen their understanding and practice of true Christian discipleship.

Young Christian disciples need to be formed so that they can take their place in the concrete circumstances of daily life in their local, national and international communities and, with Christ, change these communities for the better. Youth ministry experiences need to be directed towards this goal.