The church faces the same issue as many public schools: Who helps with the homework when the student goes home? How much of it gets lost or forgotten by the next day of school because there is no reinforcement within the family? The challenge for youth ministry is to consider how we equip the “home” […]
We sat down with graduate residents Erin Hicks and Mitch Toler to talk next steps, time with CYMT, and what they learned during their three years in the program. How has CYMT helped you and your ministry at your church? Erin: When I started CYMT, I moved to a new state and a new city […]
By Center for Youth Ministry Training 5/28/19 Summer is almost here! As a youth minister, I find summer to be both exhilarating and exhausting. Most of you will spend at least one week on a mission trip or at camp. Some of you will spend all summer moving from one trip or event to another. You’ll work […]
By Center for Youth Ministry Training 5/28/19 How do you prepare for your summer ministry trip? What will youth remember from summer experiences? Will they remember the messy games, staying up all night with friends, the closeness of a group of believers, an encounter with the living God? This summer youth ministries will set off […]
by Hank Hilliard Several years ago I was playing golf with John, a former youth group member who had gone on to college. John shared a story about his little sister Kate. He had driven Kate to a friend’s house for a birthday party the previous night. Because John’s car was old with a worn […]
Human flourishing and theology of the body Currently, the trend we see in both youth ministry and the church at large in regards to issues of physical behaviors (especially, but not exclusively, sexual) is one of policing said behaviors in isolation from a larger holistic theological context. When we talk about sexuality or homosexuality we […]
When the Christian story no longer seems compelling The looming crisis in youth ministry is that young people have examined the church and judged it to be inauthentic and irrelevant. In spite of our best efforts, young people in our culture are simply not convinced that the church is an important or necessary voice in […]
by Amy Jacober A Public Service Announcement to youth pastors Connections are my great reminder that God designed us to be a communal people. Technology has allowed us to be connected more than ever. Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, texting, Instagram and a whole lot more let us catch glimpses into the lives of our friends, family […]
by Brian Kirk A friend from my seminary days recently contacted me to ask if I had any suggestions on ways to engage students in discussion so they wouldn’t get bored. A tall order, as the last thing most teenagers want out of youth group is to feel like they are at school. And nothing […]
Friends, Your investment in the Center for Youth Ministry Training continues to pay huge dividends and we are grateful for your support. This month ordination boards are meeting with individuals who have felt called by God to serve the church. The board’s job is to affirm a visible call and preparedness for ministry. Approximately one-third […]
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