Over July 1-4, 2017, the Center for Ministry Development participated in the important and historic USCCB Convocation for Catholic Leaders in Orlando, FL.  It was a gathering of over 3,500 delegates representing parishes, dioceses, religious orders, movements, and national organizations.  Over these moving few days together, we explored t...

Since Pope Francis announced the 2018 synod on young people and discernment, youth ministers have been reflecting on how we can support youth in discerning their life vocation and their daily choices. I personally have focused on how well I discern, since I can't help youth if I don't discernment myself. And that brings me to a life-changing event ...

A few days ago, the Center for Ministry Development received an inquiry for resources to help an autistic child prepare to receive the sacrament of Eucharist. The person wanted to know how he could teach someone with autism to understand the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Honestly, there is not a lot of information and res...

I'm not a chef by any stretch but I've learned some important lessons in the kitchen. One lesson I believe adds lots of insight into ministry planning is "not crowding the pan." I've learned the hard way that if you put too much food into the pan, the food doesn't cook correctly. It won't cook evenly or won't get crispy. It usually happens whe...

In this webinar, we will share ways you can create and implement an effective plan of ministry with young people. Youth Ministry Access is a subscription resource filled with hundreds of sessions and resources for middle school and high school youth ministry. Youth Ministry Access (YMA) is a subscription website designed especially for Catholic you...

​There is a passage in a novel I was reading where the author describes a person riding on a bus as "radiating despair." That image resonated with me. I have been with people who radiated sadness and despair. I have also been with people who radiate hope and joy.  Throughout these holy seasons of Lent and Easter, I have been praying ...

2020 will mark 50 years since 20 million Americans first took to the streets demonstrating on behalf of protecting our planet earth. Yet today, Earth Day goes barely unnoticed except for an environmentally themed "Google" search page or a few sunset Facebook or Instagram posts. While April 22 will mark Earth Day once again, one could surely ask if ...

Sometimes in ministry, we seem to get it all right. Those good days where we want to scream to the mountain tops that a young person's life was transformed through youth ministry at our church. Wow! Then as quick as those days come, another one smacks you right in the face with someone who has lost their way, or another job has been added to your m...

Grow in How You Accompany Young People in Discernment with This Free Online Event!​ It's an exciting time for the Catholic Church as we prepare for the 2018 Synod themed on "Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment." In preparation of this important event, join us as we explore some important facets of how we, as ministry leaders, can accompany youn...

In this webinar, we will share ways you can use Youth Ministry Access to evangelize and bear witness through community. We'll also explore how to build an environment of hospitality, love, support and appreciation with young people. Youth Ministry Access is a subscription resource filled with hundreds of sessions and resources for middle school and...