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Thrive! Journal - Edition #20
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Training your Team Toolbox
Its the beginning of the year. Classes or Youth Group Meetings have begun. What is the best way to make sure that your students continue to be drawn in to relationship with Christ throughout the whole year? On-going training and care for your team. Without a doubt, if your team is staying on their "A" game, your students will have a much better time staying engaged in your program and receive the support they need from the Church to continue fostering that relationship. So its time to develop a plan for keeping your team of volunteers on point and caring for them by giving them more tools to do what they are called to do...
DownloadYouthMinistry.com | by Various Authors
DownloadYouthMinistry (or DYM) has so many resources that can be used for all sorts of purposes. It is not a Catholic entity, so you should vet anything you get from there, but there are very few things that I have had issues with over the years that I've used their stuff. They were the organizers of the National Day of Volunteer Training that took place a few weeks ago, and we are looking to host several locations again next year. But for the rest of the year, one thing you can take a look at is the DYMUniversity program. It is a cool way to get tidbits of training for your team in an easy form (at home, at your convenience). The training videos are generally about 10 minutes and focus on relational ministry essentials that make us all better ministers to young people. They have other training modules that you can gain access to without having to do the full DYMU program. If you look at becoming a member of DYM, they send you a number of "free" resources each month (including training pieces), and depending on the level, you get a certain amount to spend in the store each month. Its a very good deal.
https://downloadyouthministry.com
Renewing the Vision or Sons & Daughters of the Light | from USCCB
These documents from the USCCB are the primary documents in the US regarding ministry to youth (Renewing the Vision) and young adults (Sons & Daughters of the Light). Take some time to go through these documents with your team so they understand the heart of the Bishops in regards to Youth and Young Adults. Use it as a starting point to build a strategy with your team as to how it can be carried out in your setting. Know that it has been awhile since these document were written, so don't get bogged down in concepts in their that are culturally outdated, find the basis for what they are saying and apply it to today. You can purchase books, or find the text online for free:
Book Form
http://store.usccb.org/sons-and-daughters-of-the-light-revised-p/7-090.htm
http://store.usccb.org/renewing-the-vision-p/5-004.htm
Free Online Form
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/young-adults/sons-and-daughters-of-light.cfm
http://www.usccb.org/about/laity-marriage-family-life-and-youth/young-adults/renewing-the-vision.cfm
Bonus Document: Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive)
http://www.usccb.org/about/bishops-and-dioceses/synod-of-bishops/synod-2018/index.cfm
Youth Ministry Books | from Various Authors
Another way to stay in a mindset of learning is to encourage your team to read books related to Youth Ministry. I've listed a few good ones below. I wouldn't generally make it a super long book or anything, and you should figure out with your church how the books would need to be paid for, but there is some great stuff out there to help us become better pastoral ministers.
Growing Teen Disciples - Frank Mercadante
Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry - Doug Fields
It's Personal - Virginia Ward, Reggie Joiner, & Kristen Ivy
Forming Intentional Disciples - Sherry Weddell
Sticky Faith - Kara Powell & Chap Clark
Engaging A New Generation - Frank Mercadante
Tips on Presenting to Modern Teens - Mark Hart
Getting Fired for the Glory of God - Michael Yaconelli
DownloadYouthMinistry.com | by Various Authors
DownloadYouthMinistry (or DYM) has so many resources that can be used for all sorts of purposes. It is not a Catholic entity, so you should vet anything you get from there, but there are very few things that I have had issues with over the years that I've used their stuff. They were the organizers of the National Day of Volunteer Training that took place a few weeks ago, and we are looking to host several locations again next year. But for the rest of the year, one thing you can take a look at is the DYMUniversity program. It is a cool way to get tidbits of training for your team in an easy form (at home, at your convenience). The training videos are generally about 10 minutes and focus on relational ministry essentials that make us all better ministers to young people. They have other training modules that you can gain access to without having to do the full DYMU program. If you look at becoming a member of DYM, they send you a number of "free" resources each month (including training pieces), and depending on the level, you get a certain amount to spend in the store each month. Its a very good deal.
https://downloadyouthministry.com
Renewing the Vision or Sons & Daughters of the Light | from USCCB
These documents from the USCCB are the primary documents in the US regarding ministry to youth (Renewing the Vision) and young adults (Sons & Daughters of the Light). Take some time to go through these documents with your team so they understand the heart of the Bishops in regards to Youth and Young Adults. Use it as a starting point to build a strategy with your team as to how it can be carried out in your setting. Know that it has been awhile since these document were written, so don't get bogged down in concepts in their that are culturally outdated, find the basis for what they are saying and apply it to today. You can purchase books, or find the text online for free:
Book Form
http://store.usccb.org/sons-and-daughters-of-the-light-revised-p/7-090.htm
http://store.usccb.org/renewing-the-vision-p/5-004.htm
Free Online Form
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/young-adults/sons-and-daughters-of-light.cfm
http://www.usccb.org/about/laity-marriage-family-life-and-youth/young-adults/renewing-the-vision.cfm
Bonus Document: Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive)
http://www.usccb.org/about/bishops-and-dioceses/synod-of-bishops/synod-2018/index.cfm
Youth Ministry Books | from Various Authors
Another way to stay in a mindset of learning is to encourage your team to read books related to Youth Ministry. I've listed a few good ones below. I wouldn't generally make it a super long book or anything, and you should figure out with your church how the books would need to be paid for, but there is some great stuff out there to help us become better pastoral ministers.
Growing Teen Disciples - Frank Mercadante
Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry - Doug Fields
It's Personal - Virginia Ward, Reggie Joiner, & Kristen Ivy
Forming Intentional Disciples - Sherry Weddell
Sticky Faith - Kara Powell & Chap Clark
Engaging A New Generation - Frank Mercadante
Tips on Presenting to Modern Teens - Mark Hart
Getting Fired for the Glory of God - Michael Yaconelli
