A question I often hear is, “How do we keep teens engaged in the parish after Confirmation?” Confirmation is the final push for many parishes, the last chance before we lose young people to the world. According to recent data, we hope that they will come back sometime in college when getting married or having a baby, but we know that is not the case anymore. One of the main reasons young people leave is because they don’t know why they should stay.
Since that is our reality, something has to change. How do certain parishes and dioceses react to the dropoff after Confirmation? They change the age one receives it. They think, “If we prepare them earlier, then we can get them at a more impressionable age.” or “If we go later, they will be more mature and able to understand some of the hard truths of our faith.” While changing the age has its advantages, it does not address the problem. If you want young people to continue to stay engaged in the local Church you need to::
We all know that being a part of the Church is greater than the world can ever offer. We believe that by saying “Yes” to God, we are embracing a mission that impacts the world and brings us joy. We know and believe these things, but do our young people?
The answer is “NO” if they are walking away or at least struggling with this concept. But if we want to show teens that they can be a part of God’s master plan, we have to:
People are looking to insert themselves in a captivating and compelling narrative. Just think about why so many young people play sports. Sports does an effective job of inviting people of all ages to be a part of that moment of glory. From amateur to professionals, young people learn how to overcome adversity and the beauty that comes from sacrifice.
Colleges do the same thing. They show young people what life on their campus looks like and the amazing opportunities that will arise after committing thousands of dollars to their institution. As a Church, we spend a lot of time talking about what it means to be a Christian how to be a Christian, but not what occurs when we become one.
What if your ministry offered a narrative? The vision of your parish is a great place to start. What would it look like for an individual to live out that vision? How would their life change? If you’ve never written a narrative for your ministry. Think about the life change you would love to see in a young person during their time in your ministry and share it with others.
It might feel odd to put someone other than Christ at the center of a narrative, but you need someplace to start. Over time your narrative helps them turn their focus from inward and over to God. Remember, everyone wants to be a part of the story.
In addition to looking for adventure, young people are seeking company. No one wants to feel alone, isolated, or unwanted. The pandemic has been a great reminder; therefore, the Church needs to make sure young people connect in an authentic and consistent community.
Even if you do not have youth programming, invite older parishioners to walk alongside a young person. Start with the leaders in your parish and ask them to invite a young person to serve alongside them. Have the adults connect with the parents and, if possible, grab a cup of coffee or bite to eat.
The more young people feel like they belong to your Church, the more they commit to their faith. While creating a youth and children’s ministry can create community, the connection with the older congregation affirms they are in the right place.
God has a vision for your parish that has not yet come to fruition. Young people not only need to know that vision (see clarify the narrative) but feel like they have some ownership of its execution. If you want to empower young people to own the vision, you need to assign them tasks requiring responsibility, even if failure is possible.
Handing the keys of leadership over to the young church can be a little frightening at first. Some people might try to patronize the teenagers or hold them back, but that perpetuates the myth that they are not needed. Instead, give them the ability to make independent decisions. If they succeed, you praise them, and if they fail, you guide them. Remind them that God gave them their gifts, charisms, and the opportunity to serve. By empowering them to own the vision, they will have the opportunity to grow in a relationship with God.
If we want young people to stay involved and invested with the Church past Confirmation, we need to make sure that we are sharing the narrative during their elementary, middle, and high school years. We have to make sure they never feel alone on their journey and show them how they are a part of God’s mission. If you are looking to reach and empower the young Church, check out our MYM TENX10 Cohort. Through this cohort, ministry leaders will learn how to make faith matter in the lives of young people. You and your parish will learn to empower the next generation while rediscovering the joy we sometimes lose. To learn more, click HERE.