Chris Bartlett | Ablaze Ministries
David Carvalho | Diocese of Fall River
Photo: 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 engaging young people relationally and in small groups. 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/
In today’s changing cultural and religious landscape, many parishes are grappling with how best to reach young people. Traditional methods, once effective in a Christendom culture, often fall flat in today’s apostolic age—an era marked by skepticism of institutions, digital oversaturation, and rising loneliness among youth. In this new environment, youth ministry needs a fresh approach rooted in one essential truth: relationships matter most.
Now is the time to “cast a smaller net for a bigger win.” Mass outreach programs alone won’t cut it. Instead, the Church must return to relational ministry—meeting teens where they are, walking with them authentically, and forming them into disciples of Christ through intentional, small-scale engagement.
A Shift from the Sermon to the Sidewalk
Traditional models of ministry often resembled the Sermon on the Mount—large crowds, central speakers, and structured programs. But in the modern apostolic age, youth don’t connect as deeply with institutions or one-way teaching. Instead, they seek truth from relationships and community. Today’s ministry must resemble the Road to Emmaus: Jesus walking beside two confused disciples, listening, teaching, and revealing himself in the breaking of the bread.
Relational authority is the key. Before young people will trust what you say, they must trust you. Trust is not granted based on titles or theological degrees—it’s earned through consistent care, authentic presence, and shared experience.
The Five Practices of Relational Ministry
The Springtide Research Institute’s “State of Religion & Young People: Relational Authority” (2020), which studied how youth form trusting relationships with adults, revealed five essential traits that define relational authority: listening, transparency, integrity, care, and expertise.
1. Listening
Authentic listening means being curious, engaged, and able to remember what young people share. Teens know when someone is truly paying attention. According to Springtide’s data, 84% of young people said they trust adults who remember what they’ve shared. Listening builds credibility—and it must precede teaching or correction.
2. Transparency
Young people trust adults who share about their own lives and struggles. Being vulnerable doesn’t mean oversharing; it means being real. Sharing personal stories of faith and failure helps teens relate and opens a door for trust.
3. Integrity
Doing what you say you’ll do matters. Teens are watching closely to see whether adults follow through, admit mistakes, and ask forgiveness. Integrity builds reliability, and reliability builds influence.
4. Care
Teens don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Demonstrating care—celebrating birthdays, checking in about a tough week, or showing up to a game—creates a safe space for faith to grow.
5. Expertise
Finally, when the foundation of trust is in place, teens will seek out your guidance. At this point, your expertise becomes meaningful. Discipleship flows naturally when a relationship has been established.
Why This Matters: The Crisis of Connection
According to the same Springtide study, one in four teens report always or sometimes feeling alone, and nearly 40% of young adults (ages 18–25) feel the same. Only a quarter of young people say they have more than one adult they can turn to when in need. This loneliness epidemic has massive implications for mental health—and for ministry.
Simply put, relational ministry isn’t optional; it’s a lifeline.
When youth ministers and volunteers act as consistent, caring adults in the lives of teens, they dramatically impact not only the spiritual life of that teen but also their sense of identity and purpose.
Photo: Diocese of Fall River
From Mass Ministry to Mission-Driven Discipleship
One of the most powerful ideas that churches need to explore is the shift from wide-net programming to small-scale intentionality. What if, instead of trying to reach hundreds, you focused on forming one saint?
Imagine your pastor approaching them and saying: “You have the same budget and time, but your only goal is to help this one teen become a saint.”
What would you do?
You’d surround that teen with faithful peers, committed mentors, and opportunities for spiritual growth. You’d foster prayer, offer formation, and involve the family. That’s the beginning of a small group model—an intentional community built around real relationships.
And it works.
This is not about abandoning outreach—but about recognizing that real, lasting transformation begins when a teen is known. Small groups, personalized discipleship, and volunteer teams who invest deeply in a few teens can create ripple effects far greater than any large event alone.
Understanding the Spiritual Journey
To this end, it’s important to note that a teen’s spiritual journey can be understood across four categories:
- Unchurched – No faith background or sacramental life.
- Christian – Baptized but unengaged; defined by membership, not mission.
- Disciple – Actively following Christ and seeking a personal relationship.
- Disciple Maker – Forming others in faith through leadership and witness.
Most teens who attend Church events fall into the “Christian” category. Without intentional discipleship, many of them drift. Statistics show that over 80% of youth stop practicing their faith by age 23. Christians, left unformed, leads to them being unchurched.
The solution? Form disciples who can make disciples.
Practical Tips for Empowering Volunteers
To support this model, volunteers must be more than chaperones or content deliverers. They must be disciple makers too. Here are some key tips:
- Communicate transformation, not just tasks. Show them why their role matters.
- Offer different levels of commitment. Some start small, but grow deeper over time.
- Provide training and scripts. Equip volunteers to call, text, and connect meaningfully.
- Accompany your volunteers, not just the youth. Empower leaders to lead well.
- Challenge volunteers. Encourage them to grow in their own faith and leadership.
Ultimately, we need to actively try to empower and equip you for mission by helping them to:
- Build their own prayer lives.
- Serve their peers and communities.
- Grow in faith through mission and purpose.
By giving teens real responsibility and meaningful roles, you increase their sense of belonging—and their likelihood of staying engaged in the Church long after graduation.
The Call: It’s Time to Cast a Smaller Net
The days of relying on programs alone are over. Youth ministry in this apostolic age must be rooted in relationships, not just routines. It’s time to cast a smaller net—to go deep with a few, rather than shallow with the many.
And that shift begins with one person. One teen. One relationship.
Say that you’re not too young. Say that you’re not too old. We all have a role to play in the lives of the young Church.
Let’s cast smaller nets—and prepare for bigger, eternal wins.