CLI forms young leaders

By Renee Webb, Globe editor
August 12, 2004

High school students from the Diocese of Sioux City were among the participants from across the state to attend the 2004 Christian Leadership Institute.

Sponsored by the Iowa Catholic Conference, CLI is a week-long training event designed to teach young people the skills necessary for effective leadership with other youth and adults in a parish or school youth ministry session. Two sessions of CLI were offered this summer: June 27 to July 2 at Twin Lakes Christian Center, Manson; and July 25-30 at Des Moines YMCA Camp, Boone.

Ashley Croghan, a parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Manning who is part of the youth group core team, attended CLI with two others from the parish.

"I came in not really knowing what to expect or what it all involved, so I came in open-minded," she said. "As the week went on I found it amazing - the activities that we did and the people we met. It was a really good experience."

Among the practical bits of knowledge addressed at CLI was the fact that leaders don't always have to come in one style.

"We also learned about consensus - where everyone agrees on the decision you make. It takes a really long time, but it is a good way of coming to a conclusion on what you want to do because everyone agrees with it and it's not just majority rules," said Croghan, who will be a high school senior.

Along with learning practical skills, she pointed out that they learned about different prayer formats and learned a great deal just through interaction with others.

"I think everyone should go to CLI. It completely opens your views, you get a new perspective and appreciate things more," she said. "You feel so renewed when you come out of it."

Justin McCarty, a parishioner at St. Joseph Church in Hartley who will be a high school senior, pointed out that he attended CLI because it was required as a member of the Diocesan Core Group.

"At CLI I learned a lot of things you can use to be a leader like how to monitor a group to make sure things get done and how to make sure everyone is involved," he noted. "I also learned how to help a group come to a consensus."

McCarty hopes to use these new skills not only with the Diocesan Core Group but also to expand programming and membership in the youth group for his cluster, consisting of the parishes in Hartley, Sanborn, Sutherland and Primghar.

"You wouldn't even have to use these for youth group - use can use it in any type of leadership role," he said. Skills he learned at CLI could be used at school, within families and even when he enters the job market after college.

Along with practical skills that would apply to any leadership position, he pointed out that they learned specifically about Christian leadership - taking into consideration people's feelings. Presenters at CLI also informed participants about various religious programs and retreats that are available across the state.

"I would definitely encourage others to go to CLI because you can use these skills in everyday life," said McCarty. "If that was the only thing I got out of it, it would have been worth it but you also got to meet a lot of cool people and learn a lot about spirituality."

Sarah Clayton, a parishioner at St. Patrick Church in Estherville, acknowledged that she also attended the leadership camp because it was required as a member of the Diocesan Core Group but added that she was glad she went because she met so many good people. She also mentioned that through the experience she learned a lot about herself as well as other people.

"I really enjoyed CLI," said Clayton, who attended the Manson session. "The skills help me in my everyday life."

This high school junior said CLI helped her get closer to God and she hopes "it helps me accelerate in my duty to God."

Youth had the opportunity to apply some of their newly acquired skills right at CLI through such things as Mass planning and facilitating groups.

Andrea Jenson, a senior from Resurrection Church in Pocahontas, pointed out that she attended CLI two years ago as a participant and this year she went back as an assistant program coordinator "to see the other side of things."She is a member of her parish's youth ministry core group as well as the Diocesan Core Group.

Jenson mentioned that as an assistant, they did a lot of behind the scenes duties - setting up for workshops and planning the socials for each night.

"This was a completely different experience, so it took me a while to adjust but the whole team became a family just like your small groups become a family when you are a participant," she said. "I didn't know what to expect but I had a great experience again."

Jenson found it to be a fulfilling service opportunity as she could watch her peers and see how they grew from the experience.