12 Principles to Follow to Become like the 12 Apostles

1.  Develop a prayer life and keep it.

Many people think they don’t have enough time in the day to pray, however 15 minutes is only 1% of the day.  Increase your prayer, decrease your selfishness.  A successful youth minister must first know how much God loves them, before they love the teens they minister to.  Make prayer more than just a habit, but a way of life.  Every action and thought should become a gift to God.  As St. John Bosco said, the three spiritual fountains are the Eucharist, Devotion to Mary, and frequent confession.
2.  Attain a positive attitude.

If you think you will never succeed, you never will.  God is love and God fills us with joy.  Joy like we will never no.  If we walk around moping and doubting that our ministry will work or is working, then why would anyone want to be a part of it at all?  Teens are attracted to momentum and are searching for joy.  Be filled with trust in Jesus Christ, because with Jesus all things are possible.

3.  Set goals and write them down.

Visualizing your goals leaves you accountable.  Achieving your goals develops accomplishes.  Looking back on accomplished goals builds up your confidence and gives you the feeling of accomplishment.
4.  Dedicate yourself to becoming a Saint.

Everyday have a continual conversion to Christ.  Learn something new everyday and write it down in a journal.  In a year you will have 365 new ideas.  Learn about the lives of the saints, youth ministry techniques, prayer, catechism, speaking and writing, working with youth, technology, etc.  In 3 years you will have learned 1,095 new techniques.  Imagine if you spent 10 minutes everyday for 3 years.   That’s 182 hours!  Four years of college usually only averages 120 hours of class.
5.  Write a plan and execute it.

Developing a plan will allow you to put your ideas onto paper and guide you as the days and weeks get hectic.  Start with a 6 month game plan.

6.  Be a Leader.

Young people want a fearless leader who takes charge and leads them to Christ.  If you are not a leader, read about how to become one.

7.  Obtain Mentors.

Find a mentor in different areas and ask them for guidance and advice.  Meet with a mentor on a regular basis.  Maybe once a month, maybe more.  Develop a pool of teachers so you can emulate there best talents and ideas.
8.  Give.

The more you give the more you get.  Give to the young people and you will get their attention.  Give to the people you work with and they will help you.  Give to God everything you do.
Follow Your Heart.  God speaks to us through our hearts.

9.  Follow Your Heart

As Andy Garrity a famous business manager from Philadelphia faithfully said, “Follow your heart and the money will follow.” In following your heart make sure to have fun.  One day I realized I love what I am doing.  It doesn’t even seem like work.  Yes it’s hard.  Fishing is hard, but it is considered relaxing.
10.  Know Youth.

Learn, listen, and adapt.  Learn about the youth culture.  Listen to what your youth are saying to you and is being said to them.  Adapt your program to fit their culture.  Don’t water down the teachings of the Church, adapt the way you communicate the truth so the youth can hear it.  Example.  If youth are listening to iPods get the Churches message on there.
11.  Devotion to the Blessed Mother.

Mary leads us to Christ.  She is the perfect role model for a Catholic life.  God came to man through Mary, so we should go to Him through Mary.  She should be part of your daily life and your daily youth ministry program.  Daily rosary will uplift your life and your ability to minister to teens.

12.  Utilize the Sacraments.

The sacraments unite us to Jesus and prepare us for heaven.  Personally utilize them for yourself and use them for your youth ministry as much as possible.  Two themes should always be present in everything that is done is Jesus and Mary.   The Eucharist and Mary are the center of every successful youth ministry I have ever seen.

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