What is Youth Ministry?

“Youth Ministry is the response of the Christian community to the needs of young people, and the sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community.”- USCCB

Youth Ministry is to youth—responding to youth’s varied needs.

Youth Ministry is with youth—working with adults to fulfill their common responsibility for the Church’s mission.

Youth Ministry is by youth—exercising their own ministry to others: peers, community, world.

Youth Ministry is for youth—interpreting the needs of youth, especially in areas of injustice and acting on behalf of or with youth for a change in the systems which create injustice.

Three Goals of Youth Ministry

Three interdependent and equally important goals guide the Church ministry with youth. These goals state what it means for the Catholic community to respond to the needs of young people and to involve young people in sharing their unique gifts with the larger community.

Goal One:

To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.

Goal Two:

To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.

Goal Three:

To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.

Components of Youth Ministry

Ministry with youth utilizes each of the Church's ministries—advocacy, catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice & service, leadership development, pastoral care, prayer & worship—in an integrated approach to achieve the three goals of Youth Ministry.

Ministry of:

Advocacy Catechesis Community Evangelization

Justice & Service Leadership Development Life Pastoral Care Prayer & Worship