82 The Art of Accompaniment
be taught to share the kerygma message that reveals God’s very life, integri-
ty, and love. When the young have a real encounter with the love of Christ,
they will be empowered and excited to accompany their peers, walking
alongside them and making faith more accessible and more attractive.
If a parish youth ministry does not engage young people in an exciting
way, the message shared during outreach will not take root. Youth ministry
must be a holistic formation process that includes not only catechesis, but also
frequent opportunities to deepen the truth of the kerygma through prayer
and service. Adult leaders must be bold and resist the temptation to restrict
their ministry to the classroom - young people must also be led and men-
tored through experiences of their life that occur outside the classroom.
Young people must also be accompanied in making the intentional
choice to follow Christ each day within the events of their lives. Adult lead-
ers must witness to the message of the kerygma through living a committed
and faithful life as a disciple of Jesus. Though adolescent and teenage years
are full of transitions and emotions, young people must be guided in mak-
ing following Christ a way of life, not just a momentary decision based on
emotions or intense experiences. Youth ministry should model the frequent,
intentional choice to follow Christ for young people, taking into account
the realities of their lives today so that they might not become discouraged
in their pursuit of holiness.
Accompaniment cannot happen in an elitist or exclusivist environment.
It must happen in a “Church with open doors” and that is why youth minis-
try community life must be inclusive of all young people, whether they fully
accept the Church’s teachings or not (Christus Vivit, 234). Virtuous friend-
ships and new, spiritual relationships that flow from the welcoming love of
God take priority over “right” and “wrong” and begin to reflect the image of
the disciples on the Road to Emmaus. In a world where young and old alike
are threatened by isolation, our youth ministries must show young people
that they are never alone; if they are accompanied by one another, they are
accompanied by Christ. When young people take time to hear their peers’
stories or share unique experiences, their hearts and minds may be opened
to the love of God. When youth ministry is inclusive of all, young people
can build real community and embrace the challenge to truly accompany
one another through life.