Despite it being a Saturday and I was effectively giving up half my weekend to attend a workshop I was uncertain would be useful, I am glad I attended the youth ministry workshop yesterday.
Among such bonuses as getting several free copies of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for my munchkins and getting a very enjoyable free lunch, I got to meet quite a few nice folks. I even reconnected with one with whom I took a theology course four years ago, which was an unexpected surprise, and met a new friend from a neighboring town with whom I had a lot in common. I also met way too many unpaid youth ministers and was reminded that my parish is supportive enough to have hired me full-time to do this workistry. I'm very blessed.
There were several practical applications I appreciated from the day, including how to bring God and Church teachings into the fun/social justice activities, and how to connect with the youth where they are via the media.
A question that got me thinking was one originally posed by our bishop, who queried, "How do we reach out to the gathered and ungathered youth?" I started wondering if we should be focusing on the ungathered at all, and expending our energy on young folks who aren't there -- and I suppose older folks too, since this isn't a problem exclusive to youth ministry -- when we really can't afford to be blind to those young people who are there. Those who made the effort. Those who were brave enough to try it out and give us a few hours of their busy lives.
I firmly believe Matthew 18:20: "Wherever two or three are gathered..." Jesus didn't say you need 10, or 25, or 150. Two or three are enough, and sometimes two or three is all there is. Should we be constantly worrying about those who aren't there, who aren't interested? Should we spend our time advertising and spreading the word and begging for more attendees?
I also tend to believe that line from Field of Dreams: "If you build it, they will come." A strong foundation for any program is essential, and if word spreads from the few who do show up that something good is happening here, the program will grow in its own time without us forcing it. You can't coerce anyone to come -- not with prizes, not with money, not with trips, not with games, not with bells and whistles. They'll come if they want to, and I really think we need to care enough to be fully present to those give up their time to show up. Isn't that the least we can do since they cared enough to be there?
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3 comments:
Our parish has just started a chapter of the Dead Theologians Society for youth ages 13-18. The priest who's organizing it commented that it's a kind of "viral" thing...he was happy to get just 3 or 4 out to the first meeting as he is convinced that good word-of-mouth is the best way to draw young people in.
Glad your workshop was a worthwhile spend of your free time!
Glad that it was a bit more balanced than the mass!
Sounds like it was worthwhile and lots of things to mull over and always good to connect and reconnect with people.
I heard of one parish in my diocese that is (was?) doing the Dead Theologian Society.
From the website - my thought was - I wish I were young(er).
Pax Christi,
Teresa B.
Jannie: I completely agree with your priest and need to check out this program of which you speak.
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