The Art of Forming Young Disciples: Why Youth Ministries Aren't Working and What to Do About It - Softcover

Everett Fritz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1622824822 ISBN 13: 9781622824823

Publisher: Sophia Institute Press, 2018

Synopsis

Not long ago, veteran Youth Minister Everett Fritz counted the number of his former Youth Group members who were still practicing the Faith.

The result? Almost all of themhad left the Faith!

Fritz learned that otherparishes reported similar staggering losses, pointing to a grim truth: today's Youth Ministries simply do not form young people into lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.

Not satisfied with these dismal results, Fritz devised a different way of forming young people in the Faith. It's an approach that can truly transform the spiritual lives of young people by applying the same one-to-one personal method that Jesus Himself used to form his twelve original disciples . . . only one of whom was lost!

Fritz has worked with countless parishes, helping them make the shift to a small-group discipleship structure. You'll learn to avoid the many pitfalls and common mistakes parishes make, as well as ways you can easily build the volunteer base needed for a successful transition.

He will help you create a comfortable environment that leads young people into self-reflection, as well as the critical role parents and the parish community play in youth formation.

Finally, Fritz shares various resources that can help you accomplish your goal. But he warns: you're not running a program that has been pre-developed. Relationships and mentoring make disciples; programs do not.

If you're troubled by the number of young people in your parish who leave the Faith year after year, then open these illuminating pages and learn the art of forming young disciples.

About this title

About the Author

Everett Fritz is a best-selling author and one of the most sought after Catholic speakers in the country. Discussing the topics of discipleship, chastity, prayer and mentoring, Everett has been featured on FORMED, EWTN, Catholic Answers Live, YDisciple, xt3 (Australia) and in many dioceses, parishes and schools around the country. In 2016, Everett founded St. Andrew Missionaries an organization dedicated to training and equipping the Catholic Church and families in discipleship of young people. He holds an MA in Theology with concentrations in Catechesis and Evangelization from the Augustine Institute as well as a BA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has been serving the Church in youth ministry for over a decade.

Review

"Fritz's ideas are challenging, thought provoking, and I imagine will help a lot of parishes, youth ministers, teachers, and parents re-think their approach to the formation of their teens."

Katie Prejean McGrady - Catholic Speaker and Author

In The Art of Forming Young Disciples, Fritz wonderfully articulates the challenges of meeting the needs of young people in this constantly changing culture. This is a must-read for anyone who has a heart for teens in the Church and wants to reexamine "business as usual" in ministering to teens, from professional ministry staff to concerned parents.

Annie Grandel - YDisciples Coordinator, Net Ministries

A must-read for every parent of every confirmation student.

Sarah Reinhard - Author, Liguori Publications

--Personal Endorsements

Edition details

• Publisher: Sophia Institute Press
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1622824822
• ISBN 13: 9781622824823
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 128