Best Of
Re: Youth Room Designs
We have a ton of little fun things in our youth room:
-a swag wall with free lanyards, rosaries, keychains, old retreat shirts, etc.
-framed Retreat shirts from over the years
-prayer request board
-CD basket of praise & worship for teens to borrow
-mini library to borrow from
-snacks (obviously)
-photo wall of teens, or of college teens so they can be kept in prayer
Barna State of Youth Ministry Report
Here is an interesting article that highlights some key points from the Barna State of Youth Ministry Report. My take away is that parishes need soup the ration of Core members to try to get to a one to 5 ratio teens to core, Parishes need copartner with parents more so our work with teens is more a partnership with parents and lastly that even though teens are busier than they have ver been - we need to power through anyway and have our discipleship efforts become a big part of who they are. Here is a link to the article - http://youthministryunleashed.com/3-important-responses-to-the-barna-state-of-youth-ministry-report/
rraus
Re: Youth Room Designs
One of my favorite places to find ideas is at http://www.churchstagedesignideas.com. There tons of ideas and usually some basic tutorials.
Some of these might be bigger than what most youth rooms need, but in the past, I've just made small versions. Especially with youth rooms that aren't dedicated. It's nice to see what can be done.
Re: Youth Room Designs
I'm a big fan of Ikea like furniture - it has a youthful feel and is normally a modern color and at a good cost. I have to say that environment in a room is enhanced when teens enter and there is music playing - so have some type of sound system and a flat screen tv with images on it. Make sure that you have core teen members present so teens aren't walking into an empty room. A must have is a Crucifix on the wall - this adds a perspective on our ultimate goal of the room.
rraus
Re: How important is a Teen Mass to start Life Teen at a Parish?
Teen Masses are a huge part of having a successful Life Teen program! You may have the most dynamic youth group in the world, but once they leave for college or move or just graduate the program...if they're not rooted in the Eucharist, then their faith will most likely collapse when not in the LT setting.
Teens need to know they're being valued...and dedicating a Mass to them helps them see that the Church (and Jesus by extension) value them specifically. If your parish can't pull off a Teen Mass, try to build out of another Mass and encourage attendance (make it the de facto Teen Mass)!
Re: How important is a Teen Mass to start Life Teen at a Parish?
Thanks for these @"", I'll make sure everyone follows the rules!
Jezreel
Re: Barna State of Youth Ministry Report
This was one of my favorite articles about the Barna report on parent and youth ministers goals for youth ministry. We just see parents as an opportunity and soul who deserves our care, attention, and service.
https://www.barna.com/research/pastors-parents-differ-youth-ministry-goals/
TriciaT2