What would it mean to envision youth ministry as healing and restoration—to see youth ministry as grounded in a theology of restoration between oneself and God, others, and even the cosmos? The youth worker in this understanding would accept the role of holistic healer, participating as an agent in God’s movement of restoration in a […]
The changing possibilities for the profession of youth ministry “In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.” (1) The Issue: Could it be that the purveyors of youth ministry education are becoming more and […]
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 […]
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you locked youth ministry thought leaders, academics, and practicioners in a room and asked them, “What will be the big issues in youth ministry five to 10 years from now? And what should we start doing now to get ready?” The articles below contain the overall findings of the […]
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 Samantha Hassell 90 = percentage of pastors who report working between 55 to 75 hours per week. 90 = percentage of youth workers who are classifiably work-a-holics 14 = the number of real actual Sabbath days the average youth worker takes in a year I could go on with a few of the other […]
by Sarah Arthur It’s Sunday morning and my toddler has a fever. Again. For the fourteenth time this winter. Clingy, sweaty, he hovers by my thigh as I dial one parent after another. All the usual volunteers are unavailable. Someone has to be on hand at the last minute to sub for me back in […]
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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