25th Anniversary Theology-on-Tap National Conference Notes
Young Adult Ministry – Archdiocese of Chicago
October 14-16, 2005
Facilitators: Fr. John Cusick & Ms. Kate DeVries

Friday, Oct. 14: Wisdom from the Group (Flip Chart Notes)

Goals, Benefits, & Possibilities of Theology-on-Tap (TOT) - What TOT is designed to do, and why it works…

• TOT is easy to pick up and use. Values of TOT:
  1) Opportunity to connect community with people like me.
  2) Help answer “why” questions - catechesis.
• TOT at its best attracts people on the margins.
• TOT at its worst: pushes people away (e.g. “We have truth.”)
• Gives YAs leaders a role: TOT Committee
• TOT can lead to wonderful other things (e.g. Faith sharing, deeper involvement in parish)
• What’s after TOT? Plan follow-ups.
• TOT: Exclusively for 20s and 30s.
• TOT in a restaurant can draw more people (especially if bishop or cardinal is present).
• Be careful – Tension can develop to push people on margins further away (if rigid/doctrinal)
• It helps to prepare the speaker – inform them of YA issues & questions.

Saturday, Oct. 15: Wisdom from the Group (Flip Chart Notes)

The Target Group – Listening to YA Questions – Margaret Rickard
Questions YAs are asking:

1) Pelvic Issues (priest celibacy, birth control, intimacy, pre-marital sex, homosexuality, women’s roles, women’s ordination, abortion issues, etc.)
2) “What does it mean to be Catholic?” Young adults need us to explain “why.”
3) “Tell me about our traditions.” (Mass, adoration, confession, why we do what we do).
4) Social justice issues – political activism.
5) “Does God have a plan for my life?”
6) Healthy relationships
7) Being a person of faith in workplace.
8) Non-Catholic seekers – Good questions (Ecumenical/pleuralistic?’s) “Do Catholics have a personal relationship with Jesus?”
9) “What happened with election of Pope?” current issues.
10) How to make good decisions – faith based.
11) Vocation/discernment questions.
12) Vote my conscience/Catholic conscience
13) “Why are you exclusive?” (e.g., why can’t some politicians and other Christians take Communion?)
14) Questions of Catholic Identity.
15) Questions about and disagreement with Church decisions (politicians & Communion)
16) What defines a parish (no longer geographic)?
17) “Where is ‘Good Church’?”
18) “What can I disagree with and still be Catholic?”
19) “What will happen to Church with conservative streams running through? Where are we headed?”
20) “Is there healing/mercy after abortion, divorce, etc.?”
21) War & Peace (social justice/current issues)
22) “Why did JC become human…die?” (Catechesis for dummies)
23) “What’s next?”
24) “How much money can I make in good conscience?”
25) Tithing/stewardship.
26) Using my skills to benefit Church.
27) “How do I live a holy life? What’s my place in the Church?”
28) “How do you pray?”
29) Image of God questions/language in Bible/Mass.
30) “Why do bad thing happen in our world?”

Wisdom on Hosting Theology-on-Tap:

• Host in places where YAs hang out (by region)
• College – go to Alumni office – who owns what?
• Start small – create buzz – small group, small room
• Dream big – thing small – go slow (1 person at a time/ step by step)
• Get into place where others can see/hear you
• Have alcohol present (this is for adults/break stereotypes); Catholic theology says that no created reality is evil, and this event is for adults.
• Church grounds – get YAs into parish buildings
• Provide child care (easier at parish)
• “Best theology is done over a beer.” -- Bernard Cooke
• Restaurant/bar says we bring God into the world
• Caution – balance AA people/sensitive to re-married people
• Bar (no food) relaxed
• Restaurant – more formal – separate checks or special menu works – or buffet.
• Look into tax exemption (cautiously) - check state liability laws.
• Not kegs – individual beers/individual tabs.
• If diocese director, invite parishes to host TOT and pay expenses.
• No alcohol on Cardinal’s lawn
• Music prior or after – sometimes in restaurant.

Good Publicity

§ Diocesan Young Adult Ministry Office can help
§ Community / Family / Office for Catechesis in diocese can help
§ Contact Religion & Ethics News Weekly
§ Contact DJs who can help
§ Do a good press release/send, (add photo, not posed) then call them to follow up
§ Keep a media file – who to contact
§ Write a story on TOT and/or ask YAs to write what they have experienced
§ Radio interviews
§ Billboards – get cost donated
§ Record TOT talks – out in MP3 form for website.
§ Create Pod cast (subscription service for I-pod)
§ Know your public: YAs who are coming/those who know and can invite YAs (e.g. use diocesan newspaper)
§ Propaganda (get your image out there) vs. direct invitation.
§ Photos matter – age, gender, ethnicity, energy, etc. Fun, young, energized.
§ E-mail is big! Keep it short and sweet, brief, but point to a website for more info.
§ Keep e-mail/website accurate/complete/current: who, what, why, where, when, how
§ Define who a YA is (20s and 30s, married and single)
§ Look at Sunday paper ads. What catches your eye? Headlines, boxed info, photo captions – use that strategy
§ E-mail-PDF. Printout and post
§ Caution: don’t e-mail from “Young Adult Ministry” (subject line) -. Firewalls may block out “Adult”
§ Uniformity – Key logo (Name/logo each program).
§ You are your best selling point – promote your stuff! Sell!
§ Be timely

Formation of Committee and Training Sessions

§ Diverse in gifts: organizers, throws a good party (popular), marketing gifts, sound, lights, music, etc. Hospitality.
§ Personally invite people to join committee into specific jobs.
§ Fluid – keep recruiting team members.
§ Minimum 75% YAs/staff people from parish
§ Culturally diverse/ages 20s & 30s/make & female.
§ Need anchor person to make things happen
§ How many on committee varies – 5, 10-15, 8- 10, 5-15. Do your best and make it work.
§ “Always trust hormones.” Get some popular, beautiful people!
§ “Collector”/lots of contacts and well informed person
§ Extend a special invitation to those not actively practicing
§ The best tool is the TOT manual.

Topics and Speakers: How to Chose
§ Consider checking with diocese for regulations
§ Consider inviting the bishop (gives credibility)
§ Topics: you could do a series or mix up topics – Chicago prefers to offer topics in various catechetical, relationship, and current event areas rather than staying on one subject.

Speakers
§ Married couples (YAs)
§ Have diversity in faculty, thought and experience in Catholic Church.
§ Send speakers questions in advance.
§ Meet speakers prior if you can – even for 10 mins prior to talk would help
§ Be respectful to their time.
§ Address what people need to hear/not what speaker wants to say.
§ Leave plenty of time for questions and for young adults to talk to one another.

Qualities of a Great Speaker…
§ Has a story to tell
§ Credible/strong content / Pastoral
§ Connected to the “Real world”
§ Not afraid of confrontation/will dialogue.
§ Dynamic (dynamic High School teachers usually work well)
§ Well known in community
§ Catechetical – Learn something new
§ Will listen to team (timing, format, etc.)
§ Will deliver the topic you requested
§ Stays on topic / show on time / respects YAs
§ Solid doctrine
§ Address the YA experience without using “churchy” language – e.g., rather than a talk on “confession,” talk about woundedness and getting free.

Speaking styles to avoid…
§ Heady/Too intelligent
§ Talks down to group, as if they were children
§ Uses heavy religious language without defining it
§ Too many words
§ Too few thoughts
§ Speaking a particular agenda or ideology

Suggestions for Reaching Those not Already Connected:
§ Prepare a powerful introduction, that captures people’s interest
§ Use popular sites YAs frequent (gas station, health clubs, bars)
§ “Go where you’re not supposed to be.”
§ Put your flyer info on business card/coupon size stock for distribution.
§ “Myspace.com” will search Catholic by zip – search by age and group.
§ Offer great hospital at the door
§ Theology of the short note, short note (not e-mail) to thank all who come.
§ Hospitality before/during/after the event (See The Basic Guide to Young Adult Ministry).
§ “What’s next” after youth ministry? Track who’s going into college- connect with youth ministers
§ Invite youth ministers to TOT.
§ Be present at community events – Newman Center.
§ Tell about TOT. Gifts (frizbees), inexpensive back-packs, coasters at bar, etc.
§ Web address on small things – pens, etc.
§ “The Jesus method of organizing.” Direct personal invitation.

Potential Titles and Topics for Future TOT Talks…
§ How To Be Fundamental Without Being Fundamentalist
§ Bible Boot Camp: A Four Step Way To Interpret Scripture
§ Where’s That In The Bible?
§ Survivor: Read Tough, Pray Hard
§ Bible: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
§ The Four Jesus’
§ The Five Faces Of Jesus
§ How Catholics Party: Worship And Liturgy
§ Mass Confusion
§ Sunday Mass… Wake Up!
§ Mass Class
§ Catholic Calisthenics
§ Tour of Chicago Churches
§ Extreme Makeover: Faith Edition
§ Doing Business Without Global Souls
§ Eating Fire: Rekindling A Eucharistic Amazement
§ Christianity And Islam: Traditions Of Violence And Peace
§ Let Me Tell You About My God
§ Are You Just Another Face In The Pew?
§ Does God Have A Plan For Me? (Vocation talk)
§ The Questions Box
§ CSI (Catholic Scripture Investigation – or - Catholic Science Investigation)
§ Life After Cana
§ A Priest And A Rabbi Went To A Bar…
§ What The Hell Is Purgatory? Heaven Knows.
§ Why Is Jazz The Most Catholic Music?
§ God Made Sex
§ Press 1 For God
§ “Love Your Enemies” – Was Jesus For Real?
§ There’s Something About Mary
§ Stump The Priest / Roast The Reverend
§ Dating, Mating, Making Love Stay: How To Keep God In Your Relationships
§ Building Healthy Relationships.
§ Do Opposite Really Attract?
§ Emotionally Intelligent Relationships
§ God Couples: Building
§ You’ve Got Mail: Finding & Keeping Christ Like Relationships In A .Com World
§ Is It Really All About Me?
§ I Kissed Dating Goodbye!
§ How Do You Get Free And Stay Free? (Reconciliation)
§ Water Is Thicker Than Blood: All About Baptism
§ #1 Catholic Eating Disorder: I’m Not Being Fed.
§ Holy Order In Matrimony
§ Matter Matters
§ Where Water And Oil Mix (Baptism)
§ Father Forgive Me – For I Have Sinned
§ Father Forgive Me – For I Have “Ismed”
§ Why Bother With Church?
§ Why Bother Being Good?
§ Why Bother With Prayer?
§ Why Bother Being Catholic?
§ What Can I Disagree With And Still Be Catholic?
§ Are Catholics Saved?
§ Being Catholic In A Global Society (Social Responsibility)
§ Faith In The Workplace
§ Putting Your Money Where Your Faith Is
§ Voting Your Catholic Conscience
§ Sex In The City Of God
§ Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
§ Humans Relating To One Another
§ Are You Saved?
§ Beyond Jiminy Cricket Toward An Adult Mentality
§ Office Faith
§ The Gospel According To Bono
§ U2 Legacy Of Faith, Justice And Rock N Roll
§ Responsible Media Is Not An Oxymoron
§ Can You Hear Me Now?
§ Are We There Yet? My Faith Journey
§ Close Encounters
§ Why God?
§ Is God A Republican Or A Democrat?
§ Prayer Without Words
§ But I’m Too Busy To Pray!
§ Real Prayer: Grace Before Meals
§ I Can Have Beer Again: Now What?
§ What’s Your Type? Personality And Prayer Style
§ Contacting God Faster Than IM (Instant Messenger)
§ Use a question mark at the end of questions in title, and don’t be afraid to us use scripture in title

Financial Matters:

§ Presume little, explain lots.
§ TOT is Free, but a free will offering is accepted. Just make sure you say why.
§ Speakers Stipends vary - Speakers eat free/no stipend, $25 Gift Certificate, $50-$250
§ Paying speakers is a justice issue; they should be compensated
§ If something is free, it’s not worth as much.
§ Do fund raising efforts if you can. TOT has to pay for itself.
§ Invite neighboring parishes to each give $100
§ Operate lean
§ Keep good data on who comes – showing success gives it credibility.
§ “Silent Saint” strategy. Can you give $100?
§ People will give when they see the purpose.
§ “Can you help us help others?”
§ Look in church bulletin for sponsors
§ Fund raising: contact parents of YAs – ask for $50

The most difficult issue we face is….

§ Divisive debate – we are polarized
§ Under staffed
§ Others who do TOT badly
§ Coordination issues
§ Dirty old guy who keeps showing up
§ No other good activities
§ Too old/age issues
§ Awkward silences
§ What to do as a follow-up to TOT
§ Reaching out to the big crowd
§ ID issues at the door
§ How to invite and care for the unchurched
§ Bad speakers – off topic
§ Funding issues
§ Some people are really marginalized
§ Building leadership
§ Time to plan publicity
§ Finding the best location
§ Getting started
§ Age issues/diversity issues
§ How to compete since people are so busy
§ A reaction against alcohol
§ Getting numbers to attend
§ Connections between parish, groups, diocese
§ Attacks by narrow minded people
§ Special needs people – “NSWA” (not socially well adjusted)
§ How to develop strong leaders
Suggestion for YAM Office : TOT manual might add ground rules for compassionate listening.

Sunday, Oct 16

Websites for Prayer and Spirituality
§ Sacredspace.ie
§ Creighton.edu/collaborative ministry
§ Vision2000.org
§ Americancatholic.org
§ Catholicexchange.com
§ Bustedhalo.com
§ Savior.org
§ Findinggod.org

Websites/Other Resources
§ Facebook.com (personal page)
§ Bustedhalo.com – Event page – add your event
§ Evite.com – invitations via e-mail
§ Myspace.com – search for YAs
§ Yamchicago.org – YAM Archdiocese of Chicago
§ Catholicmatch.com – might help advertise (potential sponsorship)
§ Friendster.com – search people in area
§ Craigslist.org – by city to post things
§ Spiritedtalk.org – register and share your thoughts for products
§ Meetingspace.com
§ Does your diocesan website have posting area?
§ Are parishes in area on line? Ask diocese
§ University/college Newman Center/Catholic center can promote
§ Keep diocesan office informed

Renew International…
is now working with the YAM Office in the Archdiocese of Chicago, to spread TOT around the country and the world. They are preparing a Tool Kit to assist others in hosting the program. Participants brainstormed on what the kit could/should contain, to be most helpful:
§ Diocesan manual
§ Local manual
§ Press kit
§ Small community information
§ Strategies for next steps marketing
§ Vision and benefits for diocese, pastors, lay leaders and young adults
§ Diversity and dialogue (materials/workshop)
§ Success stories/samples
§ Fundraising materials/grant information
§ Video/DVD with pieces of quality talks and information.

Insights / Key Learnings from the Conference, and Future Directions

§ Committee Structure is important; have 10-12 people (ideal), and follow the TOT manual!
§ We are not alone in ministering to YAs. Let’s stay connected!
§ It helps to network/share insights
§ The goal of Theology-on-Tap is a “Renewal of Faith” among young adults
§ Committee on for hospitality – don’t talk to other committee members during evening.
§ It’s doable – Connect to resources – Loyola Press, Busted Halo.
§ Build TOT: It’s organic
§ Principle of doing Young Adult Ministry: Dream big – Think small – Go slow!
§ It’s a gift to gather with colleagues – hopeful.
§ “When great people gather, great things happen!
§ Make it FUN! JC was fascinating!
§ See how broad YAM is around the country. We face same issues/have same Lord.
§ Topics should be driven by YA interest. But the content should be driven by the Gospel of Jesus Christ - connect faith and life
§ Affirmation: “We’re on the right track.”
§ Possible connections to Busted Halo.com
§ Provided answers to key questions/specific info.
§ With and without absence of clergy, we can do this. Understand who you are in this Church.
§ Yahoo group lists can help.
§ Learned how to adapt TOT / Be the “what after.”

Wisdom from TOT National Conference, October 14 - 16, 2005
The following wisdom was submitted by individuals as they reflected upon the information being shared.

What this says about ministry with young adults is…..

· Young Adults are a great gift to the Church.
· We need to be conscious of our marketing.
· We need to speak to our target group in their language and be clear about who they are (unchurched, marginalized, non-practicing).
· We should use the creative tactics of the secular world.
· We must remain in control of our image: do we reflect the image and likeness of God? How are we incarnational?
· We teach more by how we treat people, invite them, respond to them than by what our speakers say.
· We need a venue in which we can dialogue about church teaching.
· It is a challenging and positive role within the church that allows us to help young adults grow in faith at this busy time in their lives.
· There are not many limitations in expanding the growth in our faith. There are many resources available to make a connection and build relationships, especially with God.
· Realization of what a daunting task building a strong young adult ministry is.
· Need to invite more young adults to be on the team. My role can be to better look for gifts among our young adults and invite them to share their gifts with their peers.
· This is the most exciting ministry in the Church today. Young adults are a gift to the church and society. Young adult ministry is a risk, but with the possibility for great rewards.
· That it is important, relevant and essential to all churches. They should all have a place for it in their programs and outreach.
· It needs to be creative, organized, consistent, well thought out and honest. Young adults are hungering for truth and a new way to heighten their experience of God.
· The young adults are ministering well and creatively in our church. They are my colleagues and their insights/experiences will/are helping us become a renewed adult church (respectful of one another and responsible together for our church life).
· It needs to be a collaborative with young adults as the foundational facilitators of young adult ministry.
· Dialogue is important but so is balance between openness and traditions.
· Young adults must be personally invited. The most effective inviters are the young adult leadership teams. We as ministers must empower our leaders.
· What is our purpose with young adult ministry? Is it to build ourselves and our Catholic community or to recruit and evangelize to people outside the faith, or some of combination of the two?
· We need to go outside of the church building to evangelize in the world.
· We need to give the answers - not just say because our faith says so…answering why?
· Together we can make a program and help young adults move together toward the kingdom.
· There is a hunger that is waiting to be met and TOT is a great way to do it along with a comprehensive young adult ministry.
· Different ministers and parishes must work together to bring about a common goal.

Here is a learning I would like to implement when planning our next Theology-on-Tap series…

· Maybe a testimony from successful theology-on-tap sessions that were generated from the last conference.
· Have more TOT’s around the diocese. Get more people involved with the planning. Have enough talks for everyone. Start-up more young adult groups and do TOT at them.
· Base topics on key YA questions and find the right speakers to address those questions.
· More committee members, hospitality committee.
· Delegating – There is a load of talent on the committee.
· Shape talks based on questions YAs are asking.
· Follow-up with small Christian communities.
· Do more advertising to the unchurched in the community.
· Discussion of topic talks with speakers before their presentation is a great idea.
· More diverse means of publicity (business card/coupons). More diverse committee (talent wise). Catchy titles. Fundraising, esp. Friends of parents of YAs, and in-kind business donations.
· Build a diocesan website for TOT talks in our area.

Given what I’m hearing and understanding, this is an action I could envision happening…

· Keep presenting the hard issues / answer the tough questions with understanding, listening and authentic truth. The truth should be planted in the hearts of YAs. It’s ok “not to get it” yet – but the only way to “get it” is to take it to our Lord in prayer and contemplation.
· Set up YA committees in regions for TOT and expand to all some major cities in the area.
· We raised our attendance to about 60-70 and the program became much more enjoyable, fun and educational. In the end, a buzz is created which increases attendance further.
· Establishing two or more Theology-on-Tap host sites around the diocese.
· Bringing together multiple parishes. A great recruiting tool to lasso new prospects for a parish young adult group.
· Piggy backing off of the Archdiocesan TOT talks, and being the “now what.” Evolving into a branch of TOT, perhaps a “TOT plus.”
· Secure a speaker who will witness to his/her experience of Catholic Charities. Look at bulletin for possible restaurants/bars. Post our flyer on website (catholicmatch.com, etc.).
· Create national TOT website from local branches. Add topics, meetings, contacts, resources.
· Help create a young adult library (possibly at catholic campus ministry room) for the diocese. VCR/TV and CD player at campus ministry room. Work more closely with young adults director (for diocese) with my campus ministry. Host TOT at campus.
· Starting to spread out TOT to the parish level and not have it only at the diocesan.
· By listening more deeply to young adults. By having young adults themselves create and cultivate this initiative – not older adults trying to understand and develop this initiative and offer it to young adults. To continue listening deeply and hone the message.
· Need the hierarchy to be more on board with “real life” and not alienate through surging hard-core doctrine.
· Getting in touch with diocese forming committees. Moving forward.
· Make a formal connection with our diocesan TOT and develop our program on the “what after” group for our university and then invite the other universities/colleges to do the same.
· Think big. Starting small and going slow. Doing TOT regionally – one every season – then watch it grow organically.
· To go back to my crusade and share what I learn and start a new series of TOT again.

Photos of the conference can now be viewed at http://www.bernierweb.com/TOT/.
Thanks, Rich Bernier!

Thank you for joining us!
Let’s stay in touch, and continue the tradition of hosting Theology-on-Tap, and Serving Young Adults the Finest in Speakers, Conversation and Theology!

Young Adult Ministry Office, Archdiocese of Chicago
Fr. John Cusick, Ms. Kate DeVries, Ms. Socorro Perez, Ms. Judi Black
711 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL 60661 - Voice: 312-466-9473; Fax: 312-466-9474
yam@yamchicago.org; http://www.yamchicago.org