Yet the times are changing, leading us to ask: What are todays young people really like? When young and old alike are open to the Holy Spirit, they make a wonderful combination. It is a concrete and faith-based commitment to the building of a new society. He simply asks that we not abandon him: Abide in me (Jn 15:4). 126. What can I offer to society? Becoming a saint means becoming more fully yourself, becoming what the Lord wished to dream and create, and not a photocopy. 2 Kg 5:2-6). The Gospel says that at his baptism the Father rejoiced and was well pleased: You are my beloved Son (Lk 3:22). Jn 6:4-13). [77]Meeting with Young People in Cagliari (22 September 2013): AAS 105 (2013), 904-905. As a result, he became a great prophet who intervened at critical moments in the history of his country. Request Permissions. 59. The Synod noted that in the area of work, young people can experience forms of exclusion and marginalization, of which the first and most serious is youth unemployment, which in some countries reaches exorbitant levels. In any event, I see no need for a detailed analysis of todays young people, their lives and their experiences. His relationships were those of a young person who shared fully in the life of his family and his people. I want to encourage all of you in this effort, because I know that your young hearts want to build a better world. All should regard young people with understanding, appreciation and affection, and avoid constantly judging them or demanding of them a perfection beyond their years. The film begins when Casey, a 25 year old fresh out of seminary school, is hired as the new leader of the young adult ministry. 73. 189. In others, perhaps, a great need to communicate. Those young people who are not believers, yet wished to share their thoughts, also raised issues that led me to ask new questions. In her presence, a young Church was born, as the apostles went forth to give birth to a new world (cf. He went away sorrowful, despite his original good intentions, because he could not turn his back on his many possessions (cf. Such variability poses particular problems with small churches, where the addition or subtraction of just a few people produces large proportional changes in the totals. Or maybe he was just not the father you needed. I hear it so often, "youth are the future of the/our church." Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate (19 March 2018), 169. In such places, much can be offered, without great expenditure of funds. No one should be excluded or exclude themselves.[111]. Ultimate Guide To Church Leadership Roles And Responsibilities Download Free PDF The Role of the Youth in the 21st Century Church Ransford K. Awuku-Gyampoh 2022, Journal of Youth and Theology Young people's involvement in the church is pivotal to the development of the community. Young people today are the first to have to effect this synthesis between what is personal, what is distinctive to their respective cultures, and what is global. The same Christ who, by his cross, saved us from our sins, today continues to save and redeem us by the power of his total self-surrender. Full Project DISCIPLESHIP AND ITS IMPACT ON CHURCH GROWTH: A CASE STUDY OF ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH, NAMUA JOS. This is undoubtedly a vocation which God himself makes known to them through their feelings, desires and dreams. 142. What do I ask of the elders among whom I count myself? There are many priests, men and women religious, lay and professional persons, and indeed qualified young people, who can help the young with their vocational discernment. This is a highly complex and sensitive issue that politics must make a priority, especially at present, when the speed of technological advances and the concern to reduce labour costs can lead quickly to the replacement of many jobs by machines. To talk about young people is to talk about promise and to talk about joy. [82]SAINT OSCAR ROMERO, Homily (6 November 1977), in Su Pensamiento, I-II, San Salvador, 2000, p. 312. Thanks to the trust of his parents, Jesus can move freely and learn to journey with others. Instead, let yourself be loved by God, for he loves you just as you are. Everyone has an opinion about youth ministry. Role of youth: Role of youth, also commonly referred to as youth group, is an age-specific religious ministry of faith groups or other religious organizations, usually from ages 12 to 30, whose mission is to involve and engage with young people who attend their places of worship, or who live in their community. I have been following news reports of the many young people throughout the world who have taken to the streets to express the desire for a more just and fraternal society. Young people taking to the streets! Your own personal vocation does not consist only in the work you do, though that is an expression of it. Jer 1:7), and added: Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you (Jer 1:8). In an age when young people were not highly regarded, some texts show that God sees them differently. In this way, discernment becomes a genuine means of spiritual combat, helping us to follow the Lord more faithfully. But the real question is: For whom am I?. Building the Twenty-first Century Church: The Role of the Youth Here we see the importance of the formation of conscience, which allows discernment to grow in depth and in fidelity to God: Forming our conscience is the work of a lifetime, in which we learn to cultivate the very sentiments of Jesus Christ, adopting the criteria behind his choices and the intentions behind his actions (cf. As Saint Paul VI said, In the very discontent that you often feel a ray of light is present. Yet it is precisely through our problems, frailties and flaws that he wants to write this love story. [67]Address at the Vigil with Young People, XXXIV World Youth Day in Panama (26 January 2019): LOsservatore Romano, 28-29 January 2019, 6. The proliferation and growth of groups and movements predominantly associated with the young can be considered the work of the Holy Spirit who constantly shows us new paths. We can leave that to those who worship the goddess of lament She is a false goddess: she makes you take the wrong road. This movie tells the authentic story of a youth group trying to do big things for Christ even though they have the struggles of real life interfering with them at every turn. How, then, will she be able to respond to the dreams of young people? 40. [16]Cf. In rejecting the weeds, we also uproot or choke any number of shoots trying to spring up in spite of their limitations. Even so, this problem, while it is universal and gravely affects our societies as a whole is in no way less monstrous when it takes place within the Church. 4:21.33; 5:13). [49], 96. All Christian formation consists of entering more deeply into the kerygma[113] and incarnating it ever more fully in our lives. Her yes and her desire to serve were stronger than any doubts or difficulties. The desire to dominate, lack of dialogue and transparency, forms of double life, spiritual emptiness, as well as psychological weaknesses, are the terrain on which corruption thrives. 208. Always. When we are called upon to help others discern their path in life, what is uppermost is the ability to listen. 86. The digital environment is characteristic of the contemporary world. Those who are single, even if not by their own choice, can offer a particular witness to that vocation through their own path of personal growth. 193. [32] What harm this does to young people, even though some do not notice it! It is for everyone. What do you do for a living? is a constant topic of conversation because work is a major part of their lives. A mentor should believe wholeheartedly in a young persons ability to participate in the life of the Church. But they will be better integrated into communities that are open, living their faith, eager to radiate Christ, joyful, free, fraternal and committed. The age group considered by the Synod (16-29 years) does not represent a homogeneous category, but is composed of distinct groups, each with its own life experience. There is the word of the Lord, ever living and effective, the nourishing presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Reconciliation, which brings us freedom and strength. The Church needs to make a commitment to accompanying these young people, so that in the process they do not lose sight of the most precious features of their identity. Certainly they need to he helped and guided, but at the same time left free to develop new approaches, with creativity and a certain audacity. Dont think that this mission is soft and easy. The old dream dreams, and the young see visions. Isolation, on the other hand, saps our strength and exposes us to the worst evils of our time. Saint Francis of Assisi, while very young and full of great dreams, heard Jesus call to become poor like him and to rebuild the Church by his witness. Hi: There is a significant relationship between role of youth and church growth. These questions should be centred less on ourselves and our own inclinations, but on others, so that our discernment leads us to see our life in relation to their lives. Yet he knew how to use the new communications technology to transmit the Gospel, to communicate values and beauty. [157], 284. Youth ministry can present the ideal of life in Christ as the process of building a house on rock (cf. 21. The command to honour our father and mother is the first commandment to carry a promise with it (Eph 6:2, cf. Mt 25:1-13). Youth ministry focuses on inviting those who are not already part of the church into the deeper narrative of God's plan. As Saint Augustine said: You have created us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. This has nothing to do with inventing ourselves or creating ourselves out of nothing. Paul gives great attention to ecclesiology, the doctrine of the church, in his letter to the Ephesians. [74], 139. [40], 88. 1 Sam 16:6-13), for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (v. 7). Hers was the yes of someone prepared to be committed, someone willing to take a risk, ready to stake everything she had, with no more security than the certainty of knowing that she was the bearer of a promise. 194. What are the role of the youth in the church today? Wothappen Or he tells us that we have been awaited from eternity, for it was not by chance that we came into this world: I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you (Jer 31:3). A living Church can look back on history and acknowledge a fair share of male authoritarianism, domination, various forms of enslavement, abuse and sexist violence. She is not afraid to reveal the sins of her members, which some try at times to hide, before the burning light of the word of the Gospel, which cleanses and purifies. Nonetheless, young people are also urged to accept the authority of those who are older (1 Pet 5:5). It is meant to remind you of certain convictions born of our faith, and at the same time to encourage you to grow in holiness and in commitment to your personal vocation. Being an apostle does not mean carrying a torch in hand, possessing the light, but being that light The Gospel, more than a lesson, is an example. Youth ministry, when it ceases to be elitist and is willing to be popular, is a process that is gradual, respectful, patient, hopeful, tireless and compassionate. As for outreach, I trust that young people themselves know how best to find appealing ways to come together. What is my real place in this world? How many times should I forgive and start over? [152] Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate (19 March 2018), 167. The Church wants to be his instrument on this path to interior healing and peace of heart. Problems like pornography distort a young persons perception of human sexuality. vv. 244. Can I weep when I see a child who is starving, on drugs or on the street, homeless, abandoned, mistreated or exploited as a slave by society? Some aim higher, seeking to become more involved and to grow spiritually. The love of God and our relationship with the living Christ do not hold us back from dreaming; they do not require us to narrow our horizons. By this gift, and by the certainty of this call, you can go forward with assurance; you have nothing to fear; you can face everything together![142], 261. Investing in today's youth is necessary in growing the body of Christ. The last images we have of Jesus as a child are those of a tiny refugee in Egypt (cf. v. 13), and he came to experience the bitterness of loneliness and poverty (cf. 216. I mentioned there that all of us, but especially the young, are immersed in a culture of zapping. When told that the Lord was with him, he responded: But if the Lord is with us, why then have all these things happened to us? (Jg 6:13). Alive, he can be present in your life at every moment, to fill it with light and to take away all sorrow and solitude. Advancing your education by earning a master's degree in youth ministry through Grand Canyon University's seminary school can prepare you to provide biblical guidance to youth. 44. We are always struck by the strength of the young Marys yes, the strength in those words, be it done, that she spoke to the angel. At the same time, since I do not want to neglect that reality, I will briefly summarize some contributions received before the Synod and others that I heard in the course of our meetings. The Lord cannot fail in his promise to provide the Church with shepherds, for without them she would not be able to live and carry out her mission. I ask young people not to expect to live without working, depending on others for help. The Church has an important role as a point of reference for the young members of these divided families. Nothing is more solid, profound, secure, meaningful and wisdom-filled than that initial proclamation. Perhaps some will find it praiseworthy that we seem so expert in discerning difficulties and dangers. 77. Other young people take part in social programmes that build houses for the homeless, or reclaim contaminated areas or offer various kinds of assistance to the needy. The Synod also recognized the need to train consecrated persons and laypeople, male and female, to accompany young people. Try to silence all the noise within, and rest for a second in his loving embrace. As in the parable, the small seeds sown by young people can yield a rich harvest (cf. The capacity to intervene in DNA, the possibility of inserting artificial elements into organisms (cyborgs) and the development of the neurosciences represent a great resource, but at the same time they raise serious anthropological and ethical questions. They should respect the freedom that comes with a young persons process of discernment and equip them with tools to do so well. 14:51-52); he lacked the strength to stake everything on following the Lord. In many of them, we encounter a deep desire to live life differently. His memory is a heart filled with tender compassion, one that finds joy in deleting from us every trace of evil. In this regard, I would note that many Synod Fathers coming from non-Western contexts pointed out that in their countries globalization is bringing with it forms of cultural colonization that sever young people from their cultural and religious roots. Blessed Ceferino Namuncur was a young Argentinian, the son of the chief of a remote tribe of indigenous peoples. That is why I would remind you of the most important question of all. But even if we stray from him, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself (2 Tim 2:13). 242. Youth ministry needs to become more flexible: inviting young people to events or occasions that provide an opportunity not only for learning, but also for conversing, celebrating, singing, listening to real stories and experiencing a shared encounter with the living God. It is true that the scourge of the sexual abuse of minors is, and historically has been, a widespread phenomenon in all cultures and societies, especially within families and in various institutions; its extent has become known primarily thanks to changes in public opinion. With a tenderness that never disappoints but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. They killed him, the holy one, the just one, the innocent one, but he triumphed in the end. It is not enough that everything be calm and peaceful. Along these lines, our institutions should provide young people with places they can make their own, where they can come and go freely, feel welcome and readily meet other young people, whether at times of difficulty and frustration, or of joy and celebration. [73] Restless discontent, combined with exhilaration before the opening up of new horizons, generates a boldness that leads you to stand up and take responsibility for a mission. But opposed to these hopes and dreams that generate decisions, there is always the temptation to complain or give up. In the Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate, I spoke in rather general terms about discernment. [137]Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 11. Do not deprive your youth of this friendship. Many young people have come to appreciate silence and closeness to God. But dont forget that there are young people even there who show creativity and even genius. 241. Yet to understand this phenomenon as a whole, we need to realize that, like every human reality, it has its share of limitations and deficiencies. What is most important, though, is that each young person can be daring enough to sow the seed of the message on that fertile terrain that is the heart of another young person. In the end, hearing these words, the young man went away sad (v. 22). For the glory of young men is their strength, but the beauty of old men is their grey hair (Prov 20:29). Instead, let us all climb aboard the same canoe and together seek a better world, with the constantly renewed momentum of the Holy Spirit. There is beauty in the wife, slightly dishevelled and no longer young, who continues to care for her sick husband despite her own failing health. A young person is a promise of life that implies a certain degree of tenacity. 31. 1) 1 Timothy 4:12 " Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." 2) Ecclesiastes 11:9 "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. The second kind of sensitivity is marked by discernment. Through our friends, the Lord refines us and leads us to maturity. 28. The unfortunate thing is that, we sometimes forget this all important goal. When Jesus restored life to a mans daughter, he first called her a child (Mk 5:39), but then addressed her as a young girl (Mk 5:41). Yet we can also experience ecstasy when we recognize in others their hidden beauty, their dignity and their grandeur as images of God and children of the Father. [26], 69. 161. In many poor countries, economic aid provided by some richer countries or international agencies is usually tied to the acceptance of Western views of sexuality, marriage, life or social justice. However, the stories of migrants are also stories of encounter between individuals and between cultures. Full Project - THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN CHURCH GROWTH - AZ Research Consult Even if you make mistakes, you can always get up and start over, for no one has the right to rob you of hope. We will never know what that one young man, upon whom Jesus gazed with love and to whom he stretched out his hand, might have been for us, what he might have done for mankind. Ru 1:1-18), yet she also showed boldness in getting ahead in life (cf. Weeping is also an expression of mercy and compassion. And that is seen in a deeper inclination of the heart, beyond the surface level of their likes and feelings. The glory of youth is in the heart, more than in physical strength or the impression given to others. Everything in Jesuss life was a sign of his mystery;[5] indeed, Christs whole life is a mystery of redemption.[6]. 275. But nowadays, the roles are much more complex. In some places, it happens that young people are helped to have a powerful experience of God, an encounter with Jesus that touched their hearts. [122] Some Fathers of the Church used the example of the training of athletes to encourage the young to develop their strength and to overcome idleness and boredom. You can do the same if you feel overwhelmed by vices, bad habits, selfishness or unhealthy pastimes. [51] At the same time, the determination to apply the actions and sanctions that are so necessary must be reiterated.
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