Up Close & Personal: Shepherding the Youth Up Close & Personal: Shepherding the Youth Clarke S. Nebrao CBCP Episcopal Commission on Mission Philippine Catholic Mission Council Clarke S. Nebrao CBCP Episcopal Commission on Mission Philippine Catholic Mission Council

Workshop Outline What are we made of? Who are the young? Where am I? How to Shepherd?

TOP 5 Qualities/Traits that you have that attract the youth?

TOP 5 Qualities/Traits that you have that are irritants to the youth?

5 3 Types of Youth Ministers by Joel Preston The Fired-up Reds – the “Instigators”The Warm Yellows – the “Loyals”The Cold Blues – the “Elsewheres”

6 Ministers in this category are those who are no longer passionate about working with young people. They may turn up on an evening, but their mind, heart and goals are in a different place to where you want them to be. Therefore, they are called the “elsewheres,” as deep down, they prefer to be anywhere else than in the youth ministry. They are the ones who will make negative comments about the direction of the youth ministry area, they will roll their eyes when delegated to, they will reminisce of the ‘good old days’ of a youth ministry, but do very little to improve it’s current state. You may even question whether they actually believe there is a God. The best thing you can do with an “elsewhere” is to sit them down and give them the choice and responsibility of deciding to stay on. Say to them, one-to-one, “The vibe I’m getting from you is that you’re not as happy at being involved as you once were. I’d love you to still take part, but I’m getting the impression that you’d rather take a step back and cease your involvement.” If their response is an agreement to step down, then this is a win, as it reduces the negative tones that can sweep through your youth ministry. If however, they come back and say they want to stay on, that’s when you need to get them to reflect on how and why they’re giving off the vibe of wanting to get out. Say to them, “I’m really glad you’re committing to this, but what I don’t understand is how your behaviour gave me the impression you wanted to step down.” Have an agreement to let them know that continued negative attitudes result in being asked to withdraw from the team. The Cold Blues – the “Elsewheres”

7 The “Loyals” cover a wide spectrum of ministers and form the majority of youth ministry teams. These guys love God and want to see young people know him better. Without them, running a youth ministry would be a very difficult and lonely task. They are faithful, happy to help and reliable. If asked, they will offer to staff your events, to bake for your socials, to accompany you on trips, to lead a bible study, to have a film night for teenagers in their home. This is all great… but this is where it ends. They rarely take the initiative on things, maybe citing the excuse of being too busy and not having enough time. They believe that, if the church employs a youth worker, it is his or her job to do the youth work and it is a “loyals” role to simply follow their lead. They are like wakeboarders, being towed by the boat ahead, riding the waves it creates. They are happy continuing to serve in their section of the youth ministry, but can sometimes forget that its other areas need attention and input too. Don’t get me wrong, these warm yellow loyals are a vital part of youth ministry. A youth club with one leader and 6 yellow loyals can form a great team. However when that leader heads up 5 separate teams of different loyals, then the leader starts to become stretched, drained and burn out (which is no good for any of their groups!) The Warm Yellows – the “Loyals”

8 These are the people who make things happen. These are the ministers who grasp a vision, and then work to make it a reality. They take charge and responsibility. They get frustrated at those who can’t picture what the team are working towards. They are the ones who inspire you and the rest of your team to do better. To have a youth ministry you need “Yellow Loyals.” To grow a youth ministry you need “Red Instigators.” Typically, church employed youth ministers are these, but if you can identify the ministers in this category and utilise their passion, you can achieve real growth in your youth ministry. As soon as possible, it is vital you identify the “Fired-up Red Instigators” of your team, meet with them and find ways to develop their leadership skills together. Find a way for them to be more involved in leading your youth ministry area, inspiring other volunteers and – in time – freeing you up to concentrate on other areas of a youth ministry that need attention. The Fired-up Reds – the “Instigators”

9 Don’t be fooled into thinking these 3 categories are separate boxes in which to permanently put people. Every one of your ministers is on a sliding scale of which category they belong too, a thermometer if you will. With bad management, a Fired-up Red can easily become a Warm Yellow who can easily become a Cold Blue. Similarly, with time and good management, it can work the other way too. Move Blues to Yellows by working on their attitude, by showing them teenagers who have met God and benefitted through the work of the youth ministry. Move Yellows to Reds by giving them trust and authority, by making big asks of them and showing how they can make a difference. And keep Reds hot by giving them free reign within the youth ministry using their gifts and passions accordingly, whilst regularly meeting to review their progress. It’s a thermometer.

From the Youth Patient Prayerful/Innate Goodness Powerful Witness Sincere in Helping Relational/Humble

“Preach, Preach always. Use words if necessary. -St. Francis of Assisi

For the Church, the first means of evangelization is the witness of an authentic Christian Life... modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listens to teachers, it is because they are witnesses. (Evangelii Nuntiandi - Pope Paul VI)

From the Youth Not Patient ill Tempered Bossy Proud Grouchy

2 Tim. 4:1-2 “…I solemnly urge you to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it (whether the time is right or not), to convince, reproach and encourage as you teach with all patience.”

Stats of the Youth 4% believing catholics 1 of 4 teens has tried drugs 1 of 3 has been drunk the last 30 days struggle in self image especially girls 4 of 10 inflict self injury 1500 commit suicide every year 80% parental problems 1 of 10 beaten and raped every year 9 out of 10 into pornography

University of Notre Dame many teenagers have embraced a form of moralistic, therapeutic deism that basically goes like this: “It’s important for me to be happy and do good things, and if something goes wrong, then I’ll pray to (a) god.”

7 Important Things to know about Young people today by Angel Maiers Bright & Creative Optimists Good at Sharing Global Learners Active Participants Question Seekers Wanting to Change the World

David Hatcher “You have to be shallow enough that they can learn without drowning and deep enough that they can grow”

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The Dulangan Manobo of Sultan Kudarat

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Journey to Shepherding Relationship with God o immerse more in Him so He can transform you o Embrace the Eucharist, live out Christ

Journey to Shepherding Courage/Fortitude o boldness and bravery to believe in the young o build them, cherish them

Journey to Shepherding Sincerity in Service o putting heart in what we do o exercising the theological virtues of faith hope and love to the max

Journey to Shepherding Humility o that everything comes from God and God alone.

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The Blessing in “NO” I asked God to take away my pride. God said “NO.” It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up. I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said “NO.” Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary. I asked God to grant me patience. God said “NO.” Patience is a by- product of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is earned. I asked God to give me happiness. God said “NO.” I give you blessings, happiness is up to you. I asked God to spare me pain. God said “NO.” Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said “NO.” You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said “NO.” I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things. I asked God to help me love others, as much as he loves me. God said…Ahhh, finally you have the idea! I asked God to take away my pride. God said “NO.” It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up. I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said “NO.” Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary. I asked God to grant me patience. God said “NO.” Patience is a by- product of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is earned. I asked God to give me happiness. God said “NO.” I give you blessings, happiness is up to you. I asked God to spare me pain. God said “NO.” Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said “NO.” You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said “NO.” I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things. I asked God to help me love others, as much as he loves me. God said…Ahhh, finally you have the idea!

38 “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” -Jn 10:10