Frequently Asked Questions for Congregations

What is the teen program like and how could it be used?

This curriculum is based on the belief that teens are at a very crucial time in their lives and are making extremely important decisions. The church is in a unique position to support them and guide them as they begin to make more and more of these decisions on their own. It is also important that the Church be aware of the world these young people live in and meet them there so that they see the Church as a source of strength and guidance for the days ahead. Living Compass is an attempt to be a bridge that connects the world of modern young people and the faith of the Church.

Living Well With Living Compass is a school year curriculum that will help teens:

Strengthen their relationships with God, family, and friends.
Make healthy choices caring for their body, mind, heart and soul.
See the Church as a resource for them when they are in need of help.
Reflect on whether they are comfortable with the decisions they are making in their lives.
Prepare for and better handle the many transitions that occur at this "coming of age" period of life.
Reduce and better manage the particular stresses that face them.
Have authentic conversations with others about what is going on in their daily life.

This curriculum is lead by adults who with the students go through each of the eight areas of wellness in a three week unit, looking at their own wellness in each area, learning about what the Bible teaches us about each area and committing to be more conscious of the decisions they make daily in their lives. All of this is grounded in the belief that our lives are gifts from God and the way we live them is our gift back to God. When our Faith is the compass we live by, we will have a better chance of having the abundant life God desires for us all. Creating an abundant life takes commitment and intentionality on our part, and there is no better time to start that than when one is young.

What training is needed to lead the Living Compass program?

No training is required as the facilitator manuals are created to be thorough enough that someone can lead the class without further training.

With this said, many dioceses have invited some of the Living Compass staff to their area for a Living Compass weekend. Over the weekend parishes wanting to start a Living Compass ministry meet and experience a Living Compass half day retreat (which can later be done again in their own parishes under their guidance) followed by an introduction to all the materials and an in-depth explanation as to when and how a parish may want to use them. Contact Edith Braeger at edith@livingcompass.org or 414-964-4357 extension 0 to talk about how Living Compass can be introduced to your area.

Who can become a Living Compass leader or facilitator?

Anyone who is comfortable running groups can be a facilitator. A Living Compass Facilitator will be involved in helping to support folks as they seek to create a life of greater wellness. Anyone who can offer compassionate listening with sincere and gentle encouragement can fulfill this role. Living Compass is designed to provide a space to decipher what changes God desires for folks and then creatively allowing time and space for them to discover how to make those changes. At the core, the Living Compass facilitator will help to create a space for participants to, with their faith as their guide, become the experts in creating their best life and to take concrete steps to make that a reality.

What is the Living Well with Living Compass app and how can my church members use it?

This new app is a fun way for church members of all ages to work on their wellness and stay connected all week long. Members can download the app for FREE onto their mobile devices and can then use it to cheer each other on as they strive to live an "abundant life" by making new choices and adding new good habits. What is really fun is that folks of all ages in the parish can work together through the use of this app to create the lives God desires for them.