What Does Advocacy For The Next Generation Look Like In Your Church?

We were planning a big event for the parish and looking at ways to get everyone involved. When it came to plugging in teenagers someone said, “That’s easy, they’ll set up the tables and chairs.” I immediately responded, “Only if adults are doing it too.” I was a little embarrassed by my outburst, but it was hard to hold my frustration.

I get irritated when we in the church downplay the abilities of the next generation. As someone who has been in youth ministry for 15 years, I know that teens can do so much more. And while my frustration is justified I know I need to do a better job advocating on behalf of the next generation. I believe that our primary responsibility as youth ministers and catechetical leaders is to promote for the next generation.

To bring others along takes going beyond the youth room and if we are going to be effective, we need to:

BRING IN THE EXPERTS

Don’t assume that people in your parish know what you know about the next generation. You immerse yourself in the culture, and you intentionally obtain your knowledge. As an advocate for the next generation, you need to share resources with your coworkers, volunteers, parents, and parishioners. Bring in a speaker or attend a workshop to discuss youth culture. Don’t be the only voice advocating for young people, expose your community to the great minds who are out there. Allow them to help you create a culture that cares about the future disciples of the church. For resource ideas try:

• Going, Going Gone by Dr. Bob McCarthy
• Growing Young by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad Griffin
• Helping Teens with Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: A Field Guide for Catholic Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders by Roy Petitfils
• DYM’s National Day Of Volunteer Training (Click HERE to find a location by you) 

GIVE THEM A PROJECT TO NAIL OR FAIL

When we see young people thrive, it’s inspirational personally and spiritually, and the best way to do that is by giving them ownership of a project or initiative at the parish by allowing them to:

• Plan the logistics
• Lead teams of peers and adults
• Communicate and market to the broader community

The experience should feel like handing over the keys to a new car, there will be a risk, but freedom allows you all to grow. If they fail, help them learn and if they succeed praise their efforts. A church that knows how to hand over ownership to the next generation is attractive to everyone because it says, “We want and need you here.”

CONNECT THEM WITH INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Teens need adults in and outside of your youth ministry pouring into them. At the same time, the adults in your congregation need teens pouring into them. While you should invite the adults in your parish to serve the next generation, consider asking teens to help adults.

If your community has a senior ministry or if there is a senior assisted living community nearby look at setting up regular opportunities for them to serve. It does not have to be complicated, just going in spending time with older parishioners and community members. Tell the teens to go in, listen, and talk about their lives.

By connecting the older and younger generations will breakdown stereotypes and stigmas. By asking teens to serve adults in relational ways, you can create a culture of empathy for both groups, which can lead to a united church community.

TAP INTO PARISH LEADERSHIP

There are committees and councils in your parish where teens should contribute. People might be reluctant and disagree with you because they are afraid that their committees might:

• Not be engaging or exciting for teens
• Include conversations that teens should not hear
• Involve too much of a commitment for a teen to engage fully

Those are all legitimate concerns that have resolutions. You need to discover and address the deeper issue (e.g., poorly run meetings) and help that committee learn how to be more youth-friendly. At the same time, you need to coach the young person to be ready to raise the bar on their involvement.

Advocating for teenagers involves going beyond the youth room, and telling your parishioners about the great things the next generation is doing. It all starts with you, be that voice, build up trust with your parish community and help them see the bright future we can have with the young church.

How do you advocate on behalf of young people in your parish?