We’re here to equip you for effective diocesan youth ministry.
Catholic youth ministry isn’t working.
Over the past 30 years, we’ve seen a steady reduction in the presence of young people at Sunday Mass. One Australian study, found that while 79 percent of 10-14 yr olds still attended mass with their parents, only 45 percent of those 15yrs+ did so.
A similar 2021 US study found that 52 percent of young Catholics (aged 13-25) reported attending mass once per year or less.
Catholic youth involvement often lags behind other Christian denominations, especially Evangelical and Pentecostal churches.
The average burnout for a youth minister is 2 years or less.
Often, diocesan youth ministry offices are part of the problem…
Diocesan youth ministry can be weighed down by bureaucracy, bland mission statements, and the sheer breadth of needs across a diocese.
In an effort to serve everyone, diocesan youth ministry can end up “a mile wide, but only an inch deep.”
Diocesan youth ministers can feel trapped running worn-out events and initiatives, because “that’s what we’ve always done.”
For diocesan youth ministry teams who want to make a change, it can be hard to know where to start. There are plenty of great youth ministry resources out there, but none of them specifically focus on the diocesan context.
… but we should be an essential part of the solution.
Diocesan youth ministry teams should fill essential roles of communication, coordination and support.
Diocesan youth ministers are uniquely suited to provide local youth ministers with the support and resources they need.
Diocesan youth ministry teams can unite local youth ministries behind a shared vision, working together so that young people in the diocese can experience the Church, powerfully alive.
Diocesan youth ministry offices play a critical role in making what is happening in life of the universal Church accessible at a local level.
Effective diocesan youth ministry can transform your diocese. We want to help you make that happen.
1. We’re focused on the Diocesan context
Our role as diocesan youth ministry staff is very different to the role of a local school or parish youth minister. Diocese Youth Ministry provides insights and resources specifically focused on this Diocesan context.
2. We’re living this out in our own Diocese
For us, this isn’t theoretical. DYM founder, Sam Brebner, is the manager of Ministries to Young People for the Diocese of Auckland. Everything on this website is the result of trying things out, learning from our mistakes, and recognising successes in our own Diocese.
3. We’re pioneering new models of Catholic youth ministry
Young people and their needs are changing rapidly. Tried-and-true methods of Catholic youth ministry that were effective 10 years ago aren’t anymore. We’re pioneering new models and paying close attention to others who are doing the same.
4. We’re a community
The commitment to effective youth ministry can feel daunting and even isolating. The good news is you aren’t alone. We’re a community of diocesan youth ministers dedicated to sharing knowledge and supporting each other.
If you want to move beyond outdated diocesan youth ministry models and do something that actually works, this is the community for you.
About Sam Brebner
Sam Brebner is the Manager of Ministries to Young People for the Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand. Over the past decade, Sam has participated in, led and founded a number of Catholic youth ministry initiatives.
Sam holds a Bachelor of Theology and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Auckland. He has written for publications including Lifeteen, Chastity Project, and Relevant Magazine. Sam has also been a featured speaker at Ignite Conference, on Shalom World TV, and in dozens of dioceses, parishes and schools across Australia and New Zealand.
There’s one question Sam keeps coming back to, “How does the Catholic Church do youth ministry that actually works?”
Diocese Youth Ministry was founded to relentlessly pursue this question. Our goal is to share posts every week that equip diocesan youth teams for effective ministry.
The views and opinions expressed on this website are my own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions or perspectives of the Catholic Diocese of Auckland.
