Study qualified youth ministry

By Sam Clear, Acting Director of the Office of Youth Evangelisation

In the coming year Tasmanians will be offered a greater opportunity to formally train as qualified youth ministers, to help take up the mantle of serving the church. In an exciting development for the state, a relationship has been formed with Australia’s only nationally registered Catholic Bible College, delivering accredited courses and qualifications in Catholic Ministry. Perth-based Acts 2 College of Mission & Evangelisation has agreed to offer via correspondence courses ranging from Certificate II to Diplomas in youth ministry, parish ministries, Catholic faith formation, and Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care. 

These courses are available for Year 10 students right through to adults working in our schools and parishes (or who may wish to, given the opportunity). The aim is to build up the local church and equip those who are called to this mission. The courses contain a mixture of theory and practical work, of which the practical elements will be provided in full here in Tasmania. There is also the opportunity for anyone wishing to take on full-time study to join a mission house with trained youth ministers and other Acts 2 students, working as a team. 

Youth ministry is for the whole church. There is no doubt that youth ministering to youth is invaluable, but equally so are well-formed adults ministering to youth. A significant percentage of our Catholic youth live in families that do not attend Mass, and for those who do attend Mass, a faith community amongst peers can be difficult to find.

If you have a heart for introducing others to the love of God, complementing the tireless work of those already facilitating youth and young adults groups here in Tasmania, please take to prayer this 2022 opportunity; have a look at the various courses available on www.acts2come.wa.edu.au and contact me to have a chat about exactly what is available. You may decide to study as an individual, or join the shared mission house for twelve months, but either way, this isn’t just a formal invitation, it’s also a personal invitation; I’ve worked for nineteen years in Catholic Youth Ministry nationally and I’d love to be working alongside more locals in prayer, building community, study, and mission. 

Sam Clear can be contacted on 0450 625 472