"What is needed today is a Church which knows how to respond to the expectations of young people. Jesus wants to enter into dialogue with them and, through his body which is the Church, to propose the possibility of a choice which will require a commitment of their lives. As Jesus with the disciples of Emmaus, so the Church must become today the traveling companion of young people ... ." (John Paul II: Youth: Sent to Proclaim True Liberation, World Youth Day 1995, Philippines)
Word
The ministry of the Word is the sharing of the Gospel message of the good news of God's love and salvation as lived by Jesus. The Coordinator's responsibilities could include the following:
- Be involved in the Religious Education Program and the Confirmation Program for young people. (This must be done with the guidance and permission of the Director of Religious Education. See retreats for Religious Education.)
- Maintain personal, professional and spiritual development through course work, reading, seminars, workshops, and retreats.
Worship
The ministry of worship celebrates the relationship between young people and God. This is expressed through a variety of liturgical and para-liturgical formats. The Coordinator's responsibilities could include the following:
- Work with the Liturgy Committee to involve young people in the parish's worship experience.
- Facilitate the planning and implementation of special youth worship services.
Creating Community
The ministry of creating community is the development of relationships in the lives of young people that enables them to grow in faith. This is a reaching out to young people, calling them forth to share in the celebration of a Christian Catholic Community. The Coordinator's responsibilities could include the following:
- Be involved in the long-range planning of the Youth Ministry, doing needs assessments, setting goals and objectives, and developing action plans for the parish youth ministry.
- Establish and coordinate adult youth workers for overseeing youth activities.
Guidance and Healing
The ministry of guidance and healing provides an opportunity for young people to share the needs of their lives, to be listened to, to be reconciled, and to be healed. The Coordinator's responsibilities could include the following:
- Be present to young people and, to the extent possible, get to know them personally in order that you can listen to and guide them.
- Initiate and oversee training opportunities in guidance and healing ministries for adult and youth volunteers and workers.
Justice and Service
The ministry of justice and service gives young people an opportunity to use their gifts of energy, idealism, and enthusiasm to transform the world into a just place, where all people are treated with respect and dignity. The Coordinator's responsibilities could include the following:
- Develop knowledge of the parish's and local community's service organizations and establish a rapport with these organizations.
- Initiate and oversee justice and service awareness workshops, both for youth workers and for the youth community.
- Make certain that service opportunities remain a part of the youth ministry program.
Enablement
The ministry of enablement is the calling forth and development of the gifts of young people and adults who work with them. This is done in order that they may lead, grow, and minister. The Coordinator's responsibilities could include the following:
- Develop and maintain teams of youth leaders and workers to direct and carry out the youth ministry programs, events and activities.
- Select and gather appropriate resources for the parish youth ministry.
- Administer the youth ministry budget, working closely with the parish bookkeeper to submit bills and receipts in a timely fashion. Submit budget for next fiscal year no later than March 1 each year.
Advocacy
The ministry of advocacy means listening, caring, and interpreting. To be an advocate is to be a voice for those who do not have a voice that is listened to. The Coordinator's responsibilities could include the following:
- Maintain communications with the parish at large, the parish staff, the youth ministry leaders and workers, and the administrators, teachers and staff of the local parochial and public schools.
- Participate in pastoral staff meetings and meetings of the parish pastoral council.
- Prepare and submit written reports to the youth ministry commission, to the pastor, and the pastoral council on a regular basis.
- Advocate for youth needs and activities to the broader community.
- Maintain a liaison with other levels of structures for youth ministry; that is, the deanery, diocesan youth offices, and any regional or national offices.