YOUTH MINISTRY PLANNING & STRATEGY
TOWARDS A FULLNESS OF LIFE FOR ALL (J. C. Go, SJ)
Recording of Fr. Go’s Keynote Workshop
Keynote Slides (Fr. Go)
WORKSHEET FOR FINAL ACTIVITY
“I USED TO THINK… NOW I THINK…”
Please complete the sentence above to help Fr. Go evaluate the sessions:
Post your response BELOW.
Thank you!
12 replies on “2024 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON YOUTH MINISTRY”
I used to think of what program / event for young people, now i think no matter what we do, we should first focus on be with the young people.
“I used to think youth ministry was primarily about providing activities and entertainment for young people. Now I think that it’s about inspiring them to flourish in every aspect of their being, guiding them towards their spiritual journey, and helping them discover their purpose and fulfillment in life.”
I used to think in ministering the youth, we are the ones leading them and do whatever we want for them but now I think, we as ministers guides them and let them lead the way where they are as long as it is for the common good.
I once believed that youth ministry solely focused on the spiritual growth of young individuals & now acknowledges the importance of tailoring programs to meet diverse youth needs. Ministers should listen to their stories and emotions to inform projects, programs, and policies. Youth should be at the heart of ministry, serving as companions rather than authoritative figures.
I used to think that youth ministry was a ministry that was only concerned with the young and how to accompany them to better. Now, I think that youth ministry is more than that. It is an integral ministry that capsulizes both the growth of the youth and the ministers.
I used to think that youth ministry was concerned only with the spiritual growth of the young. So, as ministers, we need to create a lot of activities that will help them spiritually, even without considering their thoughts about it or not even considering their feelings about it.
Now, it’s the other way around. Youth ministers must also adjust our programs that will fit into the needs of our youth entrusted to our care for holistic development. Reconsider their voices and stories that may help the ministry craft projects, programs, and policies. The youth is the center of the youth ministry and not the ministers.
I used to think that we can minister the youth without much personal contact with them.. now I think it is very important to be physically present and listening to them.. I used to think that we can make programs and plans without consultation from them.. now I think it is crucial to listen, dialogue and be present with the youth to be an effective youth minister.
I used to think that there are different goals for every ministry now I know that all ministry has a common goal and that is Fullness of Life..
I used to think that I already know about the challenges of designing programs and activities for the youth. Now, I realized that there’s a lot more to consider and keep in mind in order to increase the chances that we will be effective in youth ministry.
I used to think that the youth minister could implement activities and make plannings without asking their opinions & suggestions. Now I think that youth minister must include the youth in planning because their opinions would be a great help to implement the activities.
I used to think that the Youth Minister could use the skills and guidance to train the youth without concerning their feeling, their thoughts, and what they are concerning, now, I think the Youth Minister must listen and accompany them as friendship.
I used to think that the youth must be formed according to how the Youth Minister wants them to be formed; now, I think it must be the Context of the Young people first that must be considered in making programs for the youth.
I used to think that the Youth Minister could use the skills and guidance to train the youth without concerning their feeling, their thoughts, and what they are concerning, now, I think the Youth Minister must listen and accompany them as friendship.