> Youth Ministry in 2010: It's "out there": Using the Lukan account of the parable of the fishermen, Kev writes on how different YM is in 2010. "Go out and fish. Just don’t catch and release!" reminds us that we have to venture out into the deep, and then bring them back to shore. > 10 Things That Will Kill The Mood of a Youth Meeting: It's the little things that count. We often take for granted our regular gatherings. This article reminds us to sweat the small stuff! (by Randy Raus, LifeTeen) > Collaboration in Ministry: No Ministry is an Island! (Kev) Is collaboration a skill we use to accomplish ministry? Or is ministry what we do to achieve collaboration? > Teens and Cell Phones: The Effects of Mobile Tech on Kids Cell phone use by kids today is a lot like the chicken at my favorite Chinese restaurant: sweet and sour. (thesource4ym.com) > The Key to Successful Youth Ministry: PARENTS! If there’s one thing the NSYR reveals, it’s that the ministry we do with parents is the real key to the success of our ministry with young people. > Can We Talk? Ever feel like the Catholic Church is at war with...each other?! Liberal, progressive, conservative, orthodox, traditional, social justice...sometimes it feels that we spend more time labeling ourselves by subgroups than by who we are: Bob McCarthy writes about this in a great article > Youth Ministry Can't Be Mediocre, Says Cardinal (ZENIT) > The Young Catholic Church: Roots and Wings Be sure to check out this compelling article from Church Magazine (Winter 2008), written by Bob McCarty, Director of NFCYM. > I'll Have A Life...With A Side Of Youth Ministry: Advice for Part Time and Volunteer Youth Workers By Jonathan McKee: They are the lifeblood of every program, and in some cases they are the coordinators, too! Jonathan dishes out some great advice for part-timers & volunteers. > Frank appeared live recently on local radio- 89.1 WLPR-FM, "The Lakeshore." Get the interview here in MP3 format: Frank Mercadante on Millennials > Liturgy as Lens for Postmodern Youth Ministry by Michael N. Buckler, MDiv : This lengthy article was given to me from Bishop M. as recommended reading. Looking at liturgy through the lens of YM. Good stuff! > It's not just about going to Church...and yet it kinda' is! by Kevin Driscoll: a misquote in the Times leads Kev to reflect on the bigger issue of youth and liturgy. > Deliver Us From the F-Word: Why do kids—even Christian kids—feel so comfortable with foul language? And how does it impact their spiritual growth? from Group's youthministry.com. > Ministry in a tough teen culture: Jonathan McKee, president of The Source for Youth Ministry, writes about teen culture; the VMA's & Teen Choice Awards give us a window into their world. > First impressions for youth "moving up": You have the opportunity to make a first impression when new students "move up" from the grade below-- grade school kids finally move into junior high, 8th graders move up to high school-- Do you do anything special? Article by Jonathan McKee.
> Ministry lessons learned from the corporate world: Kev reflects on how we could learn a lot from how corporate America reaches its consumers. > Teens in crisis: a 5-step plan: When tragedy strikes, real, nitty-gritty youth ministry skills are needed to respond in a caring, compassionate Christ-like manner. Here is a 5-step plan to help. > Pastoral care: providing a ministry of compassionate presence: What happens when our wellsprings of joy run dry? What happens when their waving hands and chants turn to pain and tears? What then? > Youth leadership teams: offering stock in their company: article from Kev about the importance of developing YOUTH leaders to complement good adult leaders. > The Source for YM's Slang Dictionary: Jonathan McKee, president of The Source for Youth Ministry, presents the lingo teens use. For better or worse, it's a MUST for adults working with youth. > Dealing With Youth Ministry "Burnout": We all encounter it at some point. Jonathan lends a helping hand. Also: some good tips on keeping Jr. High and HS events separate! > Top 5 Fund Raisers That Help You Raise Funds : What fund raisers work? And what fund raisers are actually WORTH all the work? Good questions. Here are some creative and effective fund raisers that youth ministries use today.. Another great article from Jonathan McKee.
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KEEPING VOLUNTEERS:
Got volunteers? Getting them is one thing . . . but what's the trick to keeping them?
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NON-GATHERED MINISTRY : article from Kev on non-gathered ministry. Think outside your parish walls!
> PASSING THE TORCH : My philosophy on Youth Ministry and the young people themselves! Read this column I wrote a while back for my old diocesan newspaper. This pretty much sums it up!
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Great articles for adults working with
youth...
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Parent Guide: Internet Safety for Children & Teens
NFCYM Launches New Web Resource Area on Technology: The vision for youth ministry as identified by the U.S. bishops and others, clearly calls for the evangelization and catechesis of the young. The inculturation of the Gospel—in language and forms accessible to younger generations—is a complex, but essential task. The NFCYM has created a new resource area to provide guidance to pastoral ministers on the use of various technologies, and as an aid to pastoral ministers and diocesan, parish, and/or school personnel in determining appropriate boundaries in their use of technology within their ministry area and professional relationships with others.
Included is the new Recommended Technology Guidelines for Pastoral Work with Young People. These recommendations were developed by the NFCYM in consultation with the USCCB Secretariat for Child and Youth Protection and the Secretariat for Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth. I highly recommend this document for all youth ministers. Visit the resource area here: 
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