First Things – Diocesan Groups
First Things in Youth Ministry
Diocesan Cohort Information
Diocesan Registration
A diocese can sponsor its own cohort (or multiple ones) and provide its own coach or contract a national coach. The cost is $50/participant for Member Dioceses and $100/participant for Non-Member Dioceses (licensing fees are waived for member dioceses). Dioceses wishing to contract a National Coach can do so for an additional fee of $800/cohort.
To inquire about licensing First Things for your diocese, please contact us at [email protected].
Please note that NFCYM will need a signed license and completed cohort roster at least two weeks before your desired start date.
Diocesan Leader Resources
These resources are provided specifically to assist Diocesan leaders in promoting the First Things in Youth Ministry training program to parishes, pastoral leaders and new hires within your diocese as well as providing an overview of the options in creating Diocesan cohorts led by diocesan leaders or others within your diocese. For more information, contact us at [email protected].
Program Overview for Diocesan Leaders
Please note that changes to the pricing structure for diocesan cohorts and the basic curriculum outline have changed since the date of this webinar recording.
Customizeable Flyer
Download the flyer and populate the second (back) page with your specific contact information to promote a local cohort.
Email Copy
The following copy can be copied and pasted into an email to share with pastoral leaders and new hires in your diocese to invite them to participate in a local First Things in Youth Ministry cohort. We suggest downloading and customizing the flyer and attaching it to your email.
Dear Leader,
I understand that you have brought on, or will have soon, a new person to lead the youth ministry efforts at your parish. I want to first thank you for your commitment in accompanying young people toward an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ. Having someone designated to lead a team of youth and adults toward a model of ministry to, with, by and for youth is exactly what our bishops have asked of us through Renewing the Vision.
To assist you and your new leader in embracing the comprehensive nature of this empowering vision, I’m excited to share with you a timely new training program developed by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) specifically designed for the new leader called First Things in Youth Ministry, a six-session online formation program for anyone new to youth ministry. Whether volunteer or paid, this training provides practical direction to guide new leaders through the first critical months of taking on their new leadership role. Think of it as basic training in comprehensive youth ministry.
I urge you to look over the attached program summary and the information on the website where your new leader can also register for the program. With cohort groups beginning throughout the year, your new leader will not have to wait long to begin reaping the benefits that a sound and comprehensive model of youth ministry will yield within your parish community.
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me and I look forward to working alongside you and your new hire as together we walk this journey of engaging and empowering our young people to live as missionary disciples in the world today.
Participant roster Template for Diocesan Cohorts
Download the following template to create a class list.
