Vocation and Mission of Jesus youth Councils & Teams - 2012 (BJMM023)

 

Vocation and Mission of Jesus youth Councils and Teams

[National JY Leaders Trainings – Goa, 26 Nov. 2012 – Dr. Edward Edezhath]

Groups and Service Teams (ST) are the external marks of Jesus Youth movement. Jesus’s plan for the ‘kingdom’ though not of this world, had certain organizational set up.  Mk. 3:13-15. And what were they aiming at? 

1. Relationship, 
2. Continuity, and 
3. Growth

Or in other words Fellowship, vision and evangelization, and one inseparably linked to the other.

1. ST is to be the reflection of love, commitment and the life of the Trinity. Jn. 13:35, 15:13, 17:21. 
2. They are the keepers of the memories, traditions and culture and charsims, ensuring their continuity. I cor. 11:2, 1 Thes. 2:15, Deu. 6:7, AA 2:42. 
3. The principal duty of the ST is to do all that is required for the growth of the movement and to ensure active participation in the life and evangelistic mission of the Church. 

This mission has to be fulfilled by 

• Discerning the new sprouting (Jn 3:8), 
• Taking decisions under the guidance of the Spirit (Acts 15:6, 28), 
• Witnessing daringly to changes (Ro 8:15, 19) and 
• Imparting ongoing formation.

What are the key roles and mission of a Jesus Youth Service Teams?

         i.            To Grow as a body and fulfill the mission of Good news: ST is appointed for a certain period with this end. Praying together, sharing, study, visits, etc. play a central role in this growth. Decide beforehand the schedule of meetings. It will be good to relive from the team those who cannot find time to grow together as part of the team. Effective communication, efficient collection of needed data and clear recording of all the developments, etc. will greatly assist such growth. Take care to make optimum use of modern media.

       ii.            Three dimensions of the work of the ST: Unity and growth of the team itself, growth of the persons and groups that the team caters to, and relationship with and support to those under whom it functions, namely higher JY teams, church and social structures. It is important to give stress to these three aspects, to ensure a balanced functioning of the team. The kingdom of God evolves upon the loving vision of looking at the ST as a little home, JY as my big family and the Church as society as wider family reality.

     iii.            Building foundations is the secret of growth: The difficult yet essential task of the Team is to give attention, ensure constant renewal and imparting Spirit filled dynamism in the parish, campus or neighborhood JY fellowships. The Team must take care to spot people with clarity and maturity, give constant encouragement and ensure that lively JY fellowships exist at the grassroots. Anything the team does that in effect makes the team divert its attention from this will not build but will weaken the movement.

     iv.            Three levels of growth: For mature growth the team has to envisage a balanced development of the individual, fellowship and social interventions. The Six Pillars of JY lifestyle ensures this triune balance setting apart two pillars for each level. How to evaluate the effectiveness and growth of our fellowships and programs? It is to check is there is a balanced growth of every individual in these lines. The team should ensure practical measures help the movement progress in these levels.

       v.            Participative style: This trinitarian style will build groups as well as the movement as a whole. Timidity, laziness which is another form of lack of interest, over enthusiasm, over confidence and the like will adversely affect participative style. Prayer, joint study, sharing, discussions, joint decisions will all promote it. Those who back out will weaken the team and the over efficient ones will throw cold water on others.

     vi.            Discerning the will of God is important in all decisions of the team. Leaving the discernment to a person or a small group is from an underlying thinking that God speaks only to the select ones. By helping the group of use a variety of gifts and take decisions collectively, the group will take more wholesome decisions and the individuals will grow in discernment. A service team is good platform for such community discernment.

    vii.            To grow in love, it is very important to have the readiness to listen. To hear the person beyond what they speak and not to break love entangled on some words, in the group there has to be unconditional stillness of heart and readiness for reconciliation. When contradictions in personality or opinions come into light, instead of suppressing it or breaking away because of it, there must be some space in the group to grow in unity by "speaking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15). Over eagerness to advise can be a block. When individuals drift away or when groupings come up on an issue someone should come forward to do the prophetic "ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:19). What is important is not to have conflicts or arguments, but to make use of opportunities to have an experience of reconciliation and grow into real Christian community by listening to each other, accepting one another, and forgiving everyone.

  viii.            A unique culture and style makes each group distinct. An ongoing renewal of these styles is important for those who read the signs of the times (Lk 12:56). St Paul directive to "test everything and holdfast what is good" (1 Thes 5:21) is important. In styles, specially of prayer, not that which is not decent, but what is peaceful and orderly would be encouraged (1 Cor 14:33,40). The greatest hurdle to collaboration in the Church and with other groups as well as for efforts of evangelization is the thinking that our own styles and culture are ultimate. There is need in the group for critical reflection on our own styles and cultures.  Encourage groups to give up unhelpful ways.

      ix.            Formation of the individual is a prime mission of the ST. Formation sessions are occasions to give teachings and sharing that will ensure clarity on faith and changes in life and they will cultivate positive styles and helpful habits. Ongoing formation and life related dynamics are important to produce lasting fruits in youth and families. How can we have these formations in their own natural groupings and life situations? Cells, Yuvajyothi, JY Prayer, LSS, study materials, visits, etc. will help in this. Remember that individuals and groups are in different stages of faith pilgrimage. Looking at them as Contact, Companion, Committed and Confirmed phases should be to guide them in faith and to offer focused formation.

       x.            Need for Deepening Vision: People talk as if the early church was perfect, and the work of the Spirit came to a halt in later days. The incarnational approach of "Word becoming flesh" (Jn 1:14) is important to understand the Church as well as the ways of JY movement. We all as well as the Church are in the midst of innumerable changes. It is impossible to go back to beautiful yesterdays. Those ways are not helpful in changed situations. To help JY Team develop a relevant vision there should be reflections that will fill the new wine of good news put in new wineskins. When challenges come up the team should discuss and discern what can be changed and what are unchangeable, and this will lead to a growth in Christian vision.

Don't forget! Membership in a service team is a special call from God. It is also a time beautiful formation for growth in holiness and in the mission to evangelize. It is an ongoing training which will, in the plan of God, help fulfill many of our hidden dreams and earnest desires. Your fidelity and generosity to this call will help you witness great depths of life in Christ.