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Lay Youth Ministry Takes 'Root'

Episcopal News Service. November 12, 1987 [87229]

NEW YORK, (DPS, Nov.12) -- A new and struggling concept -- careers in professional youth ministry for qualified laity in the Episcopal Church -- is getting closer to reality through a program in the Diocese of Central Florida which is working to train and develop lay youth ministry professionals for parishes.

"If you're interested in a lay vocation of youth ministry within the Episcopal Church, there isn't anywhere you can receive official training," says Anne Reynolds, who directs the training and certification efforts along with Canon John Palarine in the diocese. Reynolds and Scott Slater, a recent college graduate now on the diocesan staff, were in New York recently to brief Episcopal Church Center staff and Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning on the programs.

Both young people affirmed that there are jobs available but that qualified workers to fill them are hard to find. "We're not trying to compete with the old volunteer system, we're trying to enhance it...we feel that we are offering a model for the church everywhere."

The diocese currently offers two Professional Youth Ministry Programs. The first is the Root Group Program -- coordinated by Slater -- which involves the recruitment, support and training for groups of 2-4 young adult volunteers ages 18-35 to live in a Christian community for one year and work as a team with parish youth in a home environment. Each member of the group has a job and the group shares all financial needs. A base group of about 25 families from one or more parishes provides administrative costs, helps the Root Group members find a house and jobs and provides personal support to the team.

After an intensive exploration weekend for potential participants, Slater explained, those who are selected get an additional 10-day training and orientation at the start of their year. During the year -- while the group members work 15-20 hours weekly for their parish youth programs -- the participants share a number of training and reflection sessions with experts.

The second program, The Episcopal Internship Program, offers a full-time Professional Youth Ministry apprenticeship position, including practical parish experience and theological education for persons at least 21 years of age who have completed 2 years of college and are willing to commit at least 2 years to a parish position.

As part of a parish staff, an intern would spend about 20 hours a week developing and maintaining a youth program and a like period of time in academic study and professional practical development. The cost of the intern certification program is $250. This covers the books (extensive reading is required as well as eight day-long seminars) and other resources.

"About twelve different dioceses have had a look at what we're doing," Reynolds said. "Our farthest visitor came from Alaska." Nevertheless, the concept hasn't quite caught fire. Diocesan staff said that one Root group is operating and that the second program is "struggling" to overcome the realities of finance and attempting to introduce something that is still viewed as somewhat radical, at least in the U.S. and the Episcopal Church. The Root Group concept came from England and the Roman Catholic Church has made strides in developing professional training for youth ministers. Reynolds holds a degree in the field from a Roman Catholic college in Minnesota.

For more information on Professional Youth Ministry opportunities in the Diocese of Central Florida, contact Reynolds at the diocesan Youth Ministry Office, PO Box 790, Winter Park FL 32790, telephone (305) 644-6581.