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The vision is good, the theology is good, the program is good, "and you get two people to sign up."
This episode starts something new on The Church Podcast. Jenny O'Neill, associate director of the Office for Ministry with Youth in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, brings her questions about youth ministry, and Christopher answers them. Some of the questions are hers, some come from the ministers she serves, and future ones can come from you.
Jenny asks what Christopher stopped believing about youth ministry, what the Church still believes that it should let go of, and what to do when a well-planned event goes empty. They talk about why parish websites matter more than we think, how to tell whether a ministry needs more time or isn't working, how to keep teens on fire after NCYC or Steubenville, and how to recognize when you've stayed in a role too long.
In This Episode
- 0:00 Cold open: praying for a snowstorm
- 0:41 Welcome and a new segment: questions from Jenny
- 2:10 Meet Jenny O'Neill
- 5:50 What Christopher stopped believing about youth ministry
- 10:50 Jenny's faith story and the power of invitation
- 15:29 Good vision, good program, and nobody shows up
- 23:10 Does it need more time, or is it not working?
- 27:29 When teens come home on fire from NCYC or Steubenville
- 31:58 Discouragement and knowing when to move on
- 37:04 What gives Jenny hope
Key Takeaways
- There is no cruise control. You never reach a point where ministry runs itself. What worked ten years ago, or before the pandemic, may not work now, so keep reinventing.
- Teaching the truth isn't enough by itself. Information is everywhere. Young people are looking for belonging, purpose and identity, so accompany them as well as teach them. The personal invitation is still the best form of evangelization.
- Show people who will be there. Teens want to know who else is going, and parents want to know what they're sending their kids to. Put photos, details and testimonials on your website and social media, and ask teens to bring a friend.
- Define success before you judge it. Set goals and a time frame, then measure with attendance, feedback and testimonials. Small, steady growth means be patient. No growth means look at how you communicate.
- Plan the after before the event. Schedule a prayerful debrief or reunion before the retreat or conference, and build consistent ministry, such as small groups, so events have an on-ramp and an off-ramp.
- Don't carry discouragement alone. When you start hoping for a snowstorm so you don't have to go to work, talk with a spiritual director, a coach or a mentor.
About Jenny O'Neill
Jenny O'Neill is the associate director of the Office for Ministry with Youth in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where she has served for about two years. She grew up in parish youth ministry and Life Teen, discerned with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in college, and now supports the youth ministers and parishes of the archdiocese.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Jenny
Ask Jenny a Question
Have a question you'd like Jenny to ask on a future episode? Submit it at thechurchpodcast.org. Leave your name if you'd like a shout-out, or so we can let you know when your question airs.
Keep Growing with Marathon Youth Ministry
- Ministry Coach: support for the leader behind the ministry, for the seasons when you're discouraged or wondering whether it's time to move on.
- M2GO: teaching videos, practical articles, team exercises and a Discord community to help you plan, invite and evaluate.
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Recorded on Riverside (affiliate link).
The Church Podcast is produced by Marathon Youth Ministry and Stephen Herrera of Be Well Creative.