2. And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, “Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
-Mark 4:2-9

3. The Assessment Process

4. Elements of Parish Assessment
Meet with your Pastor
Meet with any parish staff
Present your vision to the Parish
Survey Parish
Parent Meeting
Youth Meeting
Review results
Begin to identify key adults and youth
Begin to recruit your adult core team

5. Ask for help!!!! Preparing a Talk for Mass Short and to the point
3-5 minutes long
Speak directly to the parents
Brief intro of who you are
Speak directly to the youth
Present your vision
Speak directly to the parish
as a whole
Ask for help!!!!

6. Surveys!!! Who to Survey Goal of Surveys
Parents
Teens
Parishioners
Get ideas for events and programs
Get a better picture of the vision
Get an idea on where youth and families are at in the stages of discipleship
Identify key parents
Identify key teeangers
Identify potential core members
Short and Simple
5-7 Questions
Primarily Multiple Choice or Checkboxes
Provide opportunity for comments

7. Parent Survey Short and Simple What grade is your child in?
What aspects of a Youth Ministry program is most important to you/your family?
Social/community/fun
Evangelization and Catechesis
Spirituality – Having a deeper relationship with God
Being a Christian leader among your peers and in the parish community
What types of events would you like to see offered to youth?
Parish Sports teams
Outings/trips (white water rafting, ski trip, sporting events, etc.)
Fun events at the parish
Weekly or monthly parish youth group
Bible Study
Retreats
Adoration
Other opportunities for prayer and worship
Service/Mission trip
Other
Short and Simple
What days/times work best for youth gatherings?
Would you be interested in helping in any way or getting more information as events are planned?

8. Youth Survey Short and Simple What is your grade?
How would you describe your faith?
I try to pray daily and have a pretty good relationship with God but I would like to take my faith to the next level.
I have a strong faith life and I am looking for ways to serve as a leader in the Church, especially among my peers
Other (please explain)
I don’t have any connection to God and I think the Church is pointless
I don’t have much of a connection to God or the Church but I would like to
I try to pray often but would like to have a deeper relationship with God and would like to be more involved in the Church
What aspects of a Youth Ministry program is most important to you?
Social/community/fun
Evangelization and Catechesis
Spirituality – Having a deeper relationship with God
Being a Christian leader among your peers and in the parish community
What types of events would you like to see offered to youth?
Parish Sports teams
Outings/trips (white water rafting, ski trip, sporting events, etc.)
Fun events at the parish
Weekly or monthly parish youth group
Bible Study
Retreats
Adoration
Other opportunities for prayer and worship
Service/Mission trip
Other
Short and Simple
What days/times work best for youth gatherings?
Would you be interested in being involved or getting more information for youth ministry?

9. Sample Parent Meeting 6:30: Opening Prayer
6:35:     Brief Presentation of the Vision
6:45:     Small Group Discussion (Depending on Group Size)
              1. What are the needs of youth today?
              2. What stage of faith development are our teenagers at?
              3. What obstacles to teens face in growing closer to God?
              4. What types of events, programs, and opportunities should our parish be offering  to youth?
7:10:     Large Group Discussion
7:30:     Closing Questions/Comments

11. Goals of Parish Assessment
Present a vision of Youth Ministry to the Parish
Gather ideas for potential events and programs
Identify teens who are interested in youth ministry
Identify parents and families who are on board with youth ministry
Further identify where youth and families fall in the stages of discipleship
Begin to identify individuals who could potentially serve on a core team