Chris Bartlett | Ablaze Ministries
David Carvalho | Diocese of Fall River
This article summarizes insights from Chris Bartlett of Ablaze Ministries in conversation with parish leaders in the Diocese of Fall River, focused on knowing how to engage an Apostolic Age of ministry, especially as it relates to ministry with young people. To watch the presentation in its entirety, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@equipcatholics
Chris Bartlett is the President of Ablaze Ministries and Team Captain of Ablaze Families. A native of Round Rock, Texas, Chris has dedicated his life to forming young disciples and empowering ministry leaders, both in parish youth ministry and as Diocesan Director for the Diocese of Austin. He holds a Master’s in Theology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Theology (with a concentration in Religious Education) and Business Marketing from Franciscan University of Steubenville. To learn more about Ablaze, visit: https://ablaze.us/
The Church stands at a historic crossroads. While the Gospel remains timeless, the cultural context in which we minister has drastically changed. For many decades, Catholic ministry operated within what could be described as Christendom—a cultural framework where Christian values, institutions, and norms were woven into the fabric of daily life. However, today’s landscape is marked by an apostolic age, a new era that challenges ministers to adapt not only their methods, but also their entire mindset.
This shift calls for more than just updated programming—it demands a reimagining of how we evangelize, disciple, and walk with young people and their families.
From Christendom to Apostolic Age: Understanding the Cultural Shift
The concept of Christendom refers to a societal structure in which Christianity holds a dominant or default position. Think of the mid-20th century United States: school calendars respected Sunday Mass, communities supported parish life, and societal norms generally aligned with Christian morality. In Christendom, forming young people in the faith was supported by family, neighborhood, and culture alike.
But that time has passed. We now find ourselves in an apostolic age, reminiscent of the early Church. Just like the apostles after Pentecost, today’s Church must engage a world that increasingly sees Christianity as just one option among many—or rejects it altogether. In this new age, many people who once identified as Christian have not simply drifted away—they’ve consciously left, often due to perceived wounds or hypocrisy in the Church.
Sharing the faith today is like inviting someone to remarry a spouse they divorced long ago. This image, shared during the presentation, powerfully illustrates the emotional and spiritual resistance many feel toward returning to Church.
The Pandemic: An Age of Change Within a Change of Ages
If the transition to the apostolic age marks a change of the ages, the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in an age of change. Lockdowns, distancing, and virtual ministry forced parishes to rethink what success looks like and what ministry is truly about.
Many leaders discovered painful truths:
- We don’t know how to love or reach most young people.
- We’ve relied too heavily on programs and events.
- We were unprepared to pivot when the structures we depended on disappeared.
Yet this disruption also opened doors for creativity, authenticity, and bold experimentation. Innovation, once met with skepticism, was now welcomed. Church leaders learned to livestream, use social media meaningfully, and prioritize relationships over programming.
Photo: Diocese of Fall River
Rethinking Success in Youth Ministry
In the past, youth ministry success was often measured by numbers: how many teens attended youth group or got confirmed. But the pandemic shattered that illusion. Participation plummeted, and many youth didn’t return.
Even before COVID, retention was low. In many dioceses, only 20–30% of confirmed youth remained engaged in Church life afterward. Some parishes celebrated 50% retention—but imagine a company celebrating if half of its customers quit at age 15!
It’s clear: we need a new definition of success.
Successful youth ministry today is not about:
- Numbers or flashy events
- Babysitting or “keeping kids busy”
- Being physically present at the parish
- Having the coolest program or biggest budget
Instead, successful ministry is about:
- Forming authentic relationships rooted in Christ
- Helping youth encounter Jesus personally
- Accompanying them in their joys and struggles
- Creating pathways for discipleship, not just attendance
- Engaging parents and families as the primary faith formers
A Roadmap for the Apostolic Age: 10 Practical Shifts
The presentation provided ten practical strategies for navigating this new ministry landscape:
1. Pray Specifically
Move from general prayers to specific, intentional intercessions. Pray for individual teens by name and invite others to do the same. Celebrate when prayers are answered and make God’s action visible in your ministry.
2. Celebrate Wins
Whether big or small, share stories of transformation. Let your team, parish, and teens know that God is working—even in disrupted times.
3. Ask “How,” Not “If”
Stop asking if something is possible—ask how it can be done. How can we safely meet with teens? How can we use digital tools meaningfully? This shifts the conversation from limitation to possibility.
4. Show Up
Take ministry to where teens and families are—driveway visits, sports fields, and school events. One pastor gained immense goodwill simply by attending a local football game. Presence matters.
5. Rethink Space
Can your parish become a study hall for virtual learners? Can outdoor spaces host small group discussions or family activities? Use what you have creatively.
6. Use Snail Mail
Handwritten cards and affirmations go a long way. Send a note to a teen, a parent, or a disconnected parishioner. One powerful tactic: write to parents about their child’s gifts or good behavior—affirmation from the Church strengthens family ties.
7. Engage Families
Don’t isolate youth from their parents—engage the whole family. Encourage intergenerational conversations, prayer, and service. Provide resources that empower parents as evangelists in their homes.
8. Rethink Volunteers
Equip parents and community members to be small group leaders or facilitators. Especially in digital formats, having core team members embedded in families strengthens trust and continuity.
9. Rethink Staff Meetings
Instead of managing decline, brainstorm growth. Ask, “How can we reach more people next month than we did last month?” Track small wins and celebrate them together.
10. Rethink Platforms
Use digital tools wisely. Instagram Live, YouTube, Zoom, and chat tools can create new points of entry for youth who aren’t ready (or able) to attend in person. Let them know: there’s still a place for you here.
Ministry Is More Like the Road to Emmaus
In this apostolic age, effective ministry is more like Jesus walking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus than preaching to the masses on the Mount. It’s about journeying, listening, breaking bread, and sharing stories. It’s slow, personal, and transformative.
The Church no longer has the cultural wind at its back. We must now earn trust, build credibility, and witness through love. That starts with individuals like you.
The Call: Take Apostolic Action
Not sure where to begin? Start with small steps:
- Reach out to a teen and remind them that they matter.
- Text a volunteer and thank them for their service.
- Send a card to someone who’s disconnected from the Church.
Small steps. Big impact.
We are no longer in Christendom, where the Church was the cultural center. We are in a new apostolic age—where every Christian is a missionary, and every moment is an opportunity for encounter.
Let us rise to this challenge, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and proclaim the Gospel with courage, creativity, and compassion.