I'm sure you are aware of the change in people's view of the earth. For thousands of years we thought the earth was flat and if we ventured too far out we would fall off the edge. Then came the discovery that the earth indeed was round, and there was a paradigm shift in the way that people saw their world. In many ways youth ministry is like this. There is an almost subliminal thinking of "This is the way we have always done things, and to change will be a disaster". There is more than one way to work with youth in your parish.

Group Ministry

Traditionally, group ministry, has been the only accepted model of ministering to youth. If your parish has a youth group, you are doing something. Most people involved in parish life these says, were probably in some form of youth group when we were younger. YCS, YCW, CYO and Catholic Youth clubs were everywhere. I could spend time going into the changes in the world, the sense of Catholic identity, and the issues facing young people today, but unfortunately that would take too long! Suffice to say that when you have a group ministry, you start with a group and ask others to join. I'm not saying this doesn't work, for a lot of people this is a great starting point for bigger and better things in the parish.
However this group model has a few drawbacks. Holding a regular group meeting makes a few assumptions, that young people are similar, that they like to join groups, that they are available at the same time and that one or a few adults can meet their needs.

For some young people this can all ring true, and there are some great group models for them to choose from. However what about those young people who don't fit into these slots?

What are we doing for them?

Gathered/ Non Gathered Youth Ministry
The first part of the paradigm shift is to start to think of non gathered models of youth ministry as well as gathered. Youth groups, movie nights, large meetings and youth masses are all gathered approaches.
Youth ministry is also about meeting young people where their needs are. Setting up a mentoring programme and including a young person on your parish pastoral council are non gathered approaches.

Some people work better on a one to one. If you know of a young person out of a job, and an adult who had skills in resume writing, linking the two is part of youth ministry.

GATHERED PROGRAMS

Young People

• Educational programs (courses, guest speakers)
• Retreats
• Youth gatherings & meetings
• Community building events
• Social events
• Sports
• Trips
• Service projects
• Outings
• Social change projects
• Adult ministry training programs
• Youth leadership training programs
• Peer ministry programs
• Liturgical & sacramental celebrations
• Youth liturgies 
• Prayer services 
• Seasonal worship experiences
• Rites of passage
  

Family

• Parish wide family service and action programs
• Advent or Lenten family retreat
• Parent-teen program 
• Retreats
• Family centred or intergenerational programs
• Family picnic
• Parent-youth dance
• Games night
• Parent-teen workshops
• Parenting skills workshops
• Family centred liturgy
• Family/parent Youth night
• Celebrating rites of passage as a family
• Celebrating Holy Family Sunday, Mothers & Father’s Day as a family.
  

Church Community

• Involvement in organising talks on issues
• Parish wide Advent or Lenten program
• Renewal program
• Adult education
• Carnivals, picnics or social events
• Parish mission
• Working with parish service groups
• Adopting a parish wide service or action project Community wide leadership training programs
• Adult education programs
• Parent education programs
• Intergenerational programs
• Stations of the Cross
• Choir
• Liturgical ministry roles for young people
  

Civic Community

• Cooperate with other organisations on community issues.
• Educational programs with young people and/or parents sponsored by youth organisations. 
• Schools, ecumenical, religious education programs and retreats.
• Social events sponsored by Churches, schools or Youth Organisations.
• Youth Rally co-sponsored by Churches. Ecumenical services projects.
• Participation in community leadership training.
• Co-sponsoring training programs with other Churches.
• Substance abuse education programs.
• Life skills training.
• Ecumenical worship services
• Town Council youth programs
  

Below are some examples of programs and activities in the categories of Non Gathered Ministry:

NON GATHERED PROGRAMS

Young People

• Independent study
• Advocacy letter writing
• Newsletters
• Books, videos
• Mentoring
• Internships
• Apprenticeships
• Spiritual direction
• Scripture study
• Birthday card making
• Bulletin board
• Home visits
• Peer-to-peer witness
• International pen pals
• Adopting a migrant a refuge family
• Independent or small group service projects
• Cards with emergency hot line numbers
• A counseling referral list
• Printing and video resource centre
• A book of adolescent prayers 
• Prayer partners.
  

Family

• Home study resources
• Family discussion topics on religious and social issues
• Watching TV/videos on important issues
• Letter writing
• TV recommendations
• Family clusters or neighbourhood groupings for community building and social activities.
• Advent and Lenten home programs
• Family service projects
• Resources for parents on youth issues
• In home family enrichment activities
• Home prayer services
• Home rituals
• Advent or Lenten home prayers.
  

Church Community

• Mentoring, youth as catechists
• Parish newsletter
• Youth video productions
• A directory of service or action projects for Individual or group involvement.
• Internships
• Apprenticeships
• Family/parent resource centre
• Referral services
• Counseling services
• Liturgical ministry roles for young people
  

Civic Community

• Outreach to young people via high schools or in community programs
• A community directory of service projects
• Community resources (print or video)
• Internships
• Referral services
• Counseling resources.