Definition: Youth Ministry that is Based solely in the local area, Determined by the people in the local Area and specific to the needs of Both the young people and the Adults in each Parish.

Initially to implement this model of Youth Ministry, a core group called the “Parish Planning Team” will need to be formed to survey and assess the needs of the young people within the local area and then plan a comprehensive program to meet those needs.

A Coordinator that is appointed by and answerable directly to the Parish Priest and Parish Council leads this “Planning Team”.

This person is responsible for the organisation of the planning team and the coordination of the needs assessment and program planning.

The Planning Team Coordinator must also keep the Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator informed on the progress of the Team.

The Parish Planning Team is responsible for involving other interested people within the wider Parish Community, in the implementation of these programs. This ensures ownership of Youth Ministry by the entire Parish and allows for an even distribution of the workload.

The Sandhurst Youth Ministry will be involved in the Planning process and readily available for Parishes to access as a resource and for ongoing support and ideas.

Benefits of Parish Based Youth Ministry

Flexible:
This model of Youth Ministry can be adapted to suit the needs of young people in all towns.
Parish Based Youth Ministry can work well in Parishes that have no employed staff as well as Parishes with a full or part-time coordinator of Youth Ministry. This process is inclusive of all the positive programs and services that already exist. Effective use of the process will enhance the existing programs and develop new models to fill in the gaps. Collaboration and communication are essential for the new planning process to be successful.


Inclusive:
This model of Youth Ministry can be adapted to suit the needs of young people in all towns.
Parish Based Youth Ministry can work well in Parishes that have no employed staff as well as Parishes with a full or part-time coordinator of Youth Ministry. This process is inclusive of all the positive programs and services that already exist. Effective use of the process will enhance the existing programs and develop new models to fill in the gaps. Collaboration and communication are essential for the new planning process to be successful.


Innovative:
Parish Based Youth Ministry is designed to assist Parishes at any level of youth ministry, from those that are beginning youth ministry to those that already have successful programs but would like to link them together and improve them.


Individualised:
The process is intended to help Parishes identify the needs of youth and young adults in their unique community. The Youth Ministry Planning Team coordinates youth activities for their Parish by taking into consideration the resources that are available to that particular Parish. No Parish will have to fit into any one particular mould or put into place programs that aren’t appropriate to their setting.