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Home  Training & Support Supporting Parishes Forming a Parish Youth Ministry Planning Team
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Forming a Parish Youth Ministry Planning Team |
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The Parish Priest and Parish Council will need to nominate a person to be the coordinator of the Parish Youth Ministry Planning Team.
Accountability:
The coordinator is answerable to the Parish Priest, must report to the Parish Council and must advise the Diocesan Youth Coordinator.
The Coordinator’s role is to liaise between the priest, council and the planning team and to coordinate the activities of the Planning Team.
Once the role is understood and accepted, they can form the Parish Planning Team.
A team approach to planning and evaluating youth ministry is essential because it allows a greater involvement of people with varied skills and talents to have input into both support and planning of youth ministry within the Parish. Also, by having a team and placing emphasis on shared responsibility and decision-making, a strong sense of ownership amongst members and the rest of the Parish community are built up.
A Parish Planning Team should consist of adults and young people and be a maximum size of 10 people in a large Parish/regional centre or a maximum of 6 people in a small Parish/regional centre.
How to build a team?
The approaching of potential members of a Planning Team is one of the first steps in the planning process.
The Parish Team takes on the prime responsibility of working through the planning process to build a foundation for the formation of a holistic approach to Youth Ministry within a Parish.
Recruiting Tips
While recruiting people for the Parish Team, be aware of ethical and cultural diversity within the Parish. This diversity should be represented by your team to ensure that all groups and members of the community are represented.
It is generally a better idea to recruit individuals whose expertise and dedication is known of, rather than to advertise for interested people to come forward, however there are still merits associated with advertising.
When recruiting always be clear of the job description and purpose of the group, the commitment and time required and other particular information that may be requested. Have copies of the Job Description ready to leave with the person you have visited
It is important that the Planning Team does not solely consist of young people. Due to the nature of student life, young people may graduate and move for educational purpose, etc. The reverse is also important to avoid - do not let the group consist solely of adults.
PARISH PLANNING TEAM COORDINATOR
JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary
The Coordinator is fundamentally responsible for the organisation of the Planning Team and the coordination of the needs assessment, program planning and leadership development process.
Role
- organise the Planning Team meetings
- supervise the needs assessment process of the young people in the Parish
- Supervise the adult survey of the people in the Parish
- Coordinate the planning process of the Youth Ministry programs
- Direct the efforts to recruit additional adult and youth leaders for programs
- Work closely with the Parish staff (e.g. Priests and other employed staff) to ensure the program is consistent with the Parish goals and directions.
- Regularly feed back to the Diocesan Youth Coordinator to update them on the developments in the Youth Ministry Program.
- Inform the Diocesan Youth Coordinator on progress and consult (for advice) in major decisions
- Lead the Planning Team in evaluating the first session of the Youth Ministry program.
Skills Required
- A desire to organise an effective pastoral response to the needs of young people in the Parish community.
- A willingness and ability to enquire and listen to the needs of young people.
- Organisational, interpersonal and communication skills
- Imagination, creativity and prayerfulness.
Length of Commitment
- Minimum 6 months
- Maximum - 12 to 24 months
Accountability
- Parish Priest, Parish Council and Diocesan Youth Coordinator
Benefits
The Coordinator will have the satisfaction of leading the team in developing a comprehensive form of Youth Ministry. This will help secure the personal and spiritual development of youth for the good of the Church and the world. In so doing the Coordinator will experience his/her giftedness as an individual and as a member of a team fostering the work of God in the lives of young people and their Parish community.
PARISH PLANNING TEAM
JOB DESCRIPTION -
Summary
To collaborate with each other in the planning process of Parish Based Youth Ministry.
Members
- Adults already involved in youth activities in the Parish or those interested in assisting young people. A good prerequisite is to have a genuine love and concern for young people, and to be committed to their faith to provide support in the community.
- Students (14-17yrs). This group should not consist solely of Year 12 students because of the workload for Year 12’s.
Role
- Attend all meetings for the project
- Work with others to follow through on all steps of the planning process which include:
- An evaluation of the current program
- A needs assessment
- Goal setting
- Program development
- Calendar planning
- Development of a leadership system and an organisational structure.
- Participate in the follow up evaluation after the first season of programming.
Skills Required
- A desire to help organise an effective pastoral response to the needs of young people in the Parish community.
- A willingness and ability to enquire and listen to the needs of young people.
- An ability to work in collaboration with others.
- Imagination, creativity and prayerfulness.
- Be supportive of the ethos and understand the basic teachings of the Catholic Church.
Length of Commitment
- Minimum - 6 months
- Maximum - 12 to 24 months
Accountability - to the Planning Team Coordinator.
Benefits
Members will have the satisfaction of organising a comprehensive form of Youth Ministry with young people. This will help secure the personal and spiritual development of young people for the good of the Church and the world. In so doing, the members will experience their giftedness as individuals and team, fostering the work of God in the lives of young people and their parish community. |
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