During the PACE Conference in October, Shirley Carter (Campus Minister at West Liberty & Bethany Colleges) presented on College & Young Adult ministry. The following are her key points and other notes from that presentation...
The Art of Boomerang Throwing
Long Have I Waited For Your Coming Home to Me………….
Hosea 14
The Art of Boomerang Throwing: The proper technique for throwing a boomerang assures that it will return to its place of origin. When sending off our young adults, (whether to college, the work force, or to raise a family), let’s make sure that we do so in a manner that will assure their return to their much needed place in the Church. This workshop focused on ministry to/with young adults on our campuses and in our parishes.
Some Main Points
- Always approach young adult ministry as Jesus did……relationally.
- Keep in mind that young adult ministry is vastly different and should not be referred to interchangeably with youth ministry. The USCCB defines Young Adults as following:
- Young Adults are leaving/have left the Church for various reasons and although we as a Church may be seen as part of the problem we, as the Church are called on to be part of the solution. We can:
Some Useful Resources
Some Best Practices
Hosea 14
The Art of Boomerang Throwing: The proper technique for throwing a boomerang assures that it will return to its place of origin. When sending off our young adults, (whether to college, the work force, or to raise a family), let’s make sure that we do so in a manner that will assure their return to their much needed place in the Church. This workshop focused on ministry to/with young adults on our campuses and in our parishes.
Some Main Points
- Always approach young adult ministry as Jesus did……relationally.
- Keep in mind that young adult ministry is vastly different and should not be referred to interchangeably with youth ministry. The USCCB defines Young Adults as following:
- Young adults are persons in their late teens, twenties, and thirties who represent diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, educational, vocational, social, political, and spiritual backgrounds. They are college students, workers, and professionals; they are persons in military service; they are single, married, divorced, or widowed; they are with or without children; they are newcomers in search of a better life. (USCCB)
- Ages 19-39
- Young Adults are leaving/have left the Church for various reasons and although we as a Church may be seen as part of the problem we, as the Church are called on to be part of the solution. We can:
- become more welcoming and create a better sense of belonging.
- be clearer in our identity as a Eucharistic and Sacramental people.
- de-emphasize the institutional Church and re-emphasize doctrinal beliefs.
- stop watering down the faith and begin standing on the Truth.
- establish a sense of mission and missionary discipleship in the world.
Some Useful Resources
- Empowered by the Spirit: Campus Ministry Faces the Future
- The Gospel on Campus
- Sons and Daughters of the Light: A Pastoral Plan for Ministry with Young Adults
- Becoming a Young Adult Responsive Church
- Formed.org
- Busted Halo.com
Some Best Practices
- Drinks and Discussions at young adult friendly establishments
- Theology of the Body
- Book Studies
- Vocational Discernment discussions
- Movies with a Message
- Informational/Formational/Transformational Gatherings
- Viseo Divina method of prayer
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VISEO DIVINA (Rough meaning: "Divine Viewing")
1) Find an Image for Prayer 2) Prepare Your Heart for Prayer 3) Allow the Image/s to Speak to Your Heart 4) Reflect on the Entire Image 5) Pray Through the Image 6) Rest and Reflect in God. |
