The NACYML leadership team brings a variety of gifts to our association, with each member sharing a perspective that is invaluable in the growing of this organization. All of the leadership team members are professional youth ministry leaders, and for this edition of Sharing Our Bread, the group was asked to share some of their favorite “go to” resources.

Pat Howard from the Church of Saint John Neumann in Eagan Minnesota, is the chairperson for the NACYML website project team. Pat offers Celebration of Discipline (Richard Foster, Harper Collins, 1998). “This is the book I would turn to if I needed to be put back together again. Bible in one hand, Celebration of Discipline in the other; several times that is how I have grown and deepened in my faith and in keeping the various facets of my life in integrity. I have even used it as a basis for youth retreats, guiding youth in spiritual disciplines so that they too can know the freedom of the children of God which they, we, are.”

Chris Weber of the Muscatine Catholic Community in Muscatine, Iowa serves NACYML as secretary. On technology resources Chris says the following:
“For me, the key to using technology effectively in ministry has been to understand it as a tool, and not as an end in and of itself. There can be a temptation to think we need to ‘wow’ people by playing retreat music through our iPod or backing up our message with a zippy Power Point slide. For me it is about saving time. If a certain piece of technology saves me time, which I can devote to relational ministry with a young person or to much needed time with family, then I am all about it. If it is just the latest cool gadget, then I am not excited. As far as a one-stop-shop, I really do not have one, but here are a few websites to consider.

• WOOT! (http://www.woot.com) has some great deals on random items
• YSMARKO (http://www.ysmarko.com) is a online blog that often makes me think about new uses for existing technologies
• Simple Youth Ministry (http://www.simplyyouthministry.com) has a freebies section that I try to check every once in a while.

Barb Legere brings a rich experience of youth ministry. From the Diocese of Rochester, Barb served the leadership team as chair of the communications and publications coordinating committee, and looks to the following resources to remain grounded in profession and practice.

• Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry (United States Catholic Conference, 1997). “I really do grab it, re-read it, and highlight new insights. The three Goals of Ministry with Youth bring me back to my professional ‘soul’ in a heartbeat.”
• National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers (National Association for Lay Ministry, National Conference for Catechetical Leadership and National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, 2003). “When I have trouble connecting with how to achieve these goals, the Competency Standards provide a good framework. Just flipping through the book brings me back to a more objective and professional stance.”
• All Kids are Our Kids (Peter L. Benson, Jossey-Bass, Inc., 1997). “The work of the Search Institute helps me to remain focused on the positive outcomes that really ring true for me. This book helps me keep the big picture in mind and not get mired down in the millions of small details.”
• Thriving in Youth Ministry (Robert J. McCarty, Saint Mary’s Press, 2005). “This resource is research-based and an easy read. The self-tests at the end of each chapter provide spot-on reflection questions. This would be fantastic to do with a colleague or group of youth ministry leaders.”

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What is your parish or diocese doing that can be shared with other youth ministers? Contact Mary to see your ideas and reosurces highlighted and Share Your Bread With the Hungry.