Abstract
Although some youth programs have found significant success in expanding their ministerial outreach through the use of digital technology, a significant question remains: can spiritual communion among youth remain flourishing in isolation or outside the ‘brick and mortar’ walls of the church? The following paper is a practical theological analysis focused upon defining digital youth ministry and the theological underpinnings that provide a framework for its development. Sketched out through the lens of American Catholicism, this paper will especially make use of the sacramental and Trinitarian language of ‘communion’ and accompaniment in framing its exploration digital youth ministry and how it can keep young people engaged through periods of isolation caused by crises like that of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlights
In early March 2020, as youth programs across the U.S were preparing youth for their annualLenten journeys, Catholic parishes and schools abruptly ‘shut down’ because of the worldwideCOVID-19 pandemic
In forming digital youth programs that root themselves in accompanying young people as they navigate their faith living as digital people, digital youth ministry can grasp opportunities for forming faithful and active Christian believers, but good digital disciples who are entrenched in digital communion as well
When it comes to ministering to young people, digital youth ministry is not excluded from properly established protocols for the protection of children
Summary
In early March 2020, as youth programs across the U.S were preparing youth for their annual. Even though Renewing the Vision does not explore the specific details of ‘how’ to do the work of youth ministry, if one looks closely at any diocesan or parish youth program one will find that it is a mirror image of what Renewing the Vision aspired to: creating sound youth programs for the development of faithful adolescent believers who long to connect to and rest in Christ. The rest of this paper, through a qualitative analysis, will explore how the use of sacramental language, especially that of ‘communion,’ assist youth ministry in finding meaningful ways of connecting to youth to each other and Church teaching outside sacramental worship and youth gathering spaces In this exploration, this paper will especially make use of the sacramental and Trinitarian language of ‘communion’ in framing its exploration of the development of digital youth ministry
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