Youth Ministry Core Team
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Changing the youth world happens one teen at a time. Teens do not connect to programs; they connect to people. Relational ministry is the foundation of youth faith formation here at St. Michael; just as Jesus encountered people as people first and then served them, we too build relationships first and then share the Truth.
Core Team's ministry is one of time and relationship. It is the heart of the faith formation, the opportunity for students to hear regularly they are known and loved, not only by the Church and our Lord, but by adults they can trust.
Core Team is an opportunity to answer your baptismal call to serve the Church using your own particular gifts in a unique way while being developed as a Christian leader, walking the journey to Christ with these students.
Applications open on February 13 and are due by February 27th. Interviews will be conducted following, and the 2025-26 Core Team will be announced on Wednesday, March 19.
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Ministry at a Glance
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Middle School: "Edge"
St. Michael's "EDGE" is made up of students in grades 6-8 from multiple school systems. This is the primary Catholic faith formation of this age group since there are no local Catholic schools serving this age.
EDGE meets on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8pm for dinner, faith formation, community time, and fun. Students are broken into small groups by grade and gender ("6th grade boys" or "8th grade girls") so that even new students have an automatic group to plug into.EDGE also meets on Sunday mornings at 8:45-10:15am for smaller group, co-ed Bible Study.
Core Team are encouraged to attend their students' games, recitals, performances, etc to continue building relationship outside of the church building.
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High School: "LIFETEEN"
St. Michael's "LIFE TEEN" is made up of students in grades 9-12 from multiple school systems. This is the primary Catholic faith formation of this age group since there are no local Catholic schools serving this age.
Life Teen meets on Wednesday nights 6:30-8pm for dinner, faith formation, community time, and fun. Students are broken into small groups by grade and gender ("9th grade boys" or "12th grade girls") so that even new students have an automatic group to plug into.
Life Teen also meets on Sunday mornings at 8:45-10:15am for smaller group, co-ed Bible Study.
Core Team are encouraged to attend their students' games, recitals, performances, etc to continue building relationship outside of the church building.
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Core Team Responsibilities and Expectations
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- Are at least one year out of high school or older.
- Possess the following qualities: a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, an unconditional love for students, a love for the Catholic Church, regular participation in Sunday worship, a personal prayer life, freedom from serious sin, regular reading of Scripture, and openness to using the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- Continue to possess the above-mentioned qualities throughout the duration of their commitment and will sign a Core Team Commitment form. Team members are free at any time to unconditionally terminate their relationship as a Core Team member. At the same time, Youth Ministry staff retain the option to ask you to step out of this ministry if it becomes clear to us that the Lord is not calling you to this specific ministry, or if mitigating circumstances make it unwise for you to continue in this ministry.
- Commit to one academic year of ministry. Time commitment is ~7 hours/week, which includes/is not limited to:
- Weekly youth ministry nights on Sunday evenings (including preparation/follow-up)
- Personal formation through AU Campus Ministry or parish programming
- Monthly Core Team meetings for formation, planning, and feedback
- Core Team Retreat in August
- Major youth ministry retreats that affect your assigned group of students
- Work with a partner to run small groups, which may include small group discussions, simple projects, and other small group activities. Leading a successful small group, includes knowing the names of the youth and establishing a relationship with them; challenging them to go deeper; being willing to discipline, remain positive, and find the youth minister for help if needed; and following diocesan rules for Safe Environment at all times.
- Come to youth ministry prepared so you can successfully lead your group through the night's activities.
- Follow the parish's discipline policy, and work with youth ministers if discipline issues arise.
- Are open, silly, and relatable but at the same time, remain the adult in the group.
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In Summary
Youth Ministry at St. Michael is rooted in relational ministry. It is possible for us to teach students without Core, but we desire a ministry rooted in the ministry of presence.
If you are not ready to make this ministry and these students a high priority in your personal life, to give these activities the time and energy that the students deserve, then perhaps this ministry is not meant for you at this time, and that’s ok. The Lord calls us in different ways and at different times.
Apply Today!
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