HELPING CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTERS THRIVE
We started ProjectYM for one simple reason: because we love youth ministers. And we are passionate about equipping those youth workers for success!
Find out more about how we help Catholic youth ministers thrive.
3 Easy Ways to Building Relationships With Your Teens
A couple weeks ago, we were wrapping up Thrive Friday for June and I was thinking about future professional development topics and volunteer training resource ideas. Suddenly, a strange realization hit me. We spend a lot of time talking and teaching about the...
Having “The Talk” With Your Teens
Most of the time our youth group meetings are a bit of a blur without a lot of opportunity for tons of one on one time. Every now and then I have a conversation with my teens that has an impact on me, if not on them. A few years ago during small groups is one such...
Run a Trivia Night Fundraiser
Finally a fundraiser you'll actually WANT to do – plus you can raise thousands of dollars for your organization in just one night! The best part is people will have so much fun they’ll be asking when you’re doing it again.
Why am I a Youth Minister, Again?
I was pretty sure, that day, that I wanted to quit more than I ever had wanted to before. The youth had done just about everything in their power to irritate me, ignore the topic for the week, and be distracted through our prayer time. Our goal that day had been to...
Rethinking How We Plan
When we schedule time for “no agenda” elements and invite our teens into conversation and activities, we can model how to live the joy of the Gospel authentically in the ordinary occasions of everyday life, not just during praise & worship or small group time.
Daily Catholic Images for Your Instagram
What if you could easily post images with verses pulled from the daily readings? Use them to spark conversation and increase engagement on all of your social media platforms.
How to Spot Red Flags in Prospective Volunteers
How do you spot the wrong person for the job?
How to Minister to Elementary AND Middle School
When I first started working with middle schoolers, other youth ministers were quick to give me praise. “Oh, you work with middle school? God bless you!” “It takes such a special person to work with that age!” “I could never do that. You must be some kind of saint!”...
Equipping Teens to be Faithful Young Adults
Having been involved in both youth and young adult ministry, I’ve had a lot of time and opportunity to observe the “young adult problem” in the Church, from multiple angles. For many reasons, young adults get lost in the shuffle, particularly so if they are not in the...
Guilt-Free Ways to Get Out of the Office
Having trouble leaving the office at a decent hour? Not taking a day or two off a week? Finding yourself saying over and over again, “Sure I’m free”? Most youth ministers struggle to work any kind of regular hours. If you don’t have the self discipline to set regular...
You NEED a Personal Retreat and Here’s How to Have One
We all need it. Here’s how to make it actually happen. A personal retreat is a necessity for anyone giving their heart in ministry. Let’s talk more about what that looks like, why it’s worth taking, and how to structure it. What is a personal retreat? A personal...
More Than Just Catholic Beard Balm
Though Catholic Balm Co is the creator of the original Catholic beard balm, they've got tons of other Catholic inspired products for anyone with skin, lips, or (yes) beards. Plus every purchase you make funds the ministry of ProjectYM.
Be Authentic And Embrace Your Scars
I did the scariest thing I’ve ever done with youth in the spring of 2002. It completely changed everything about how I ministered to the youth from that moment forward. I was afraid it would backfire on me. I was afraid I would be incredibly hurt. What happened made...
Calling All Writers and Wannabe Writers!
ProjectYM is looking for some youth ministers and core team members to write for our blog! The ProjectYM blog is a place where readers all over the world come to find useful information to help them thrive in their ministry. We publish articles that touch the...
Not Your Traditional March For Life
I have been a pilgrim in DC around January 22 (the anniversary of Roe v Wade) since I was a teenager. I’ve attended the rallies, the Masses, the concerts and speakers. Endured cold temperatures and aching feet. Last year, I was a pilgrim again, not in DC, but in a...
How to Run an Awesome Guided Meditation
It’s a great experience to have the prayer of your life. Those are the experiences we usually remember. Most often, it’s on retreats where we have wonderful experiences with God and deepen our relationship with Him. But it doesn't just have to be. I have had a super...
Do You Know This Person?
Many parish religious education and youth ministry programs require or give the candidate for Confirmation the option to choose a Saint or Blessed as their patron for the Sacrament of Confirmation. If you are responsible for preparing young people for the Sacrament of...
5 Ways to Thank Your Core Team
This time of year we all come to realize this is “the time” we are to be thankful for things. Here are some ways you can be thankful for your core team: Listen Better: Often times, especially in the heat of a youth event, we can get lost in our own vision or way of...