Communicating the Gospel to Introverts

by Tina Boyd Editor’s Note: This post is a product of the Communicating the Gospel to Youth class, taught by Dr. Andrew Zirschky as part of CYMT’s Master of Arts in Youth Ministry degree program through Memphis Theological Seminary. The leader closes out the worship service in prayer. As he prays, the lights are gradually […]

by Sara Ellet What does it mean for me to have a Master of Arts in Youth Ministry? Well, it doesn’t mean that I work in a traditional church setting, it does not mean that I interact with teenagers on a regular basis, and it doesn’t even mean that I can play the guitar. But […]

Merry Christmas from CYMT

At our CYMT staff meeting this week, we shared our favorite part of the biblical Christmas story. As youth workers, we love the fact that Mary and Joseph were teenagers.  Mary was probably around 13 years old and Joseph just a few years older. Gabriel was a youth minister. He invited Mary and Joseph’s participation in […]

In One Ear and Out the Other

by Taylor Young Editor’s Note: This post is a product of the Communicating the Gospel to Youth class, taught by Dr. Andrew Zirschky as part of CYMT’s Master of Arts in Youth Ministry degree program through Memphis Theological Seminary. When I began the journey of youth ministry, one of the first things I recall being […]

Intergenerational Ministry Made Easy

by Deech Kirk Our church does not have enough parking, so we have a shuttle that runs from a nearby parking lot. Recently, I was sitting in front of Addie, a sixth grader who I know well.  She was sitting by herself until Patti and her husband got on the bus. Most of the seats […]

Book Review: Building Your Volunteer Team: A 30-Day Change Project for Youth Ministry

by Hank Hilliard In Building Your Volunteer Team: A 30-Day Change Project for Youth Ministry, Mark DeVries and Nate Stratman get right at the heart of one of the most prominent challenges in youth ministry – building a volunteer team. Drawing from their combined 40-plus years of experience, Mark and Nate offer practical tools to […]

Catching up with Connor McCracken, Second Year Graduate Resident

Pictured above L to R are CYMT graduate residents Derek Walker, Leigh DeVries (alumna), Dwight Johnson, and Connor McCracken. Connor McCracken, CYMT graduate resident from Northern Ireland, is completing his second year in the CYMT program. We sat down with him to talk about his experience so far. How did you learn about CYMT? I […]

From Philly to Dyersburg: Graduate Resident Finds Success in a Small Town

Heather Kauffmann, seated, fourth from right, with her youth group members at Dyersburg FUMC. Heather Kauffman had always wanted to live in the South. Being from Glenn Mills, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, Heather had dreams of new adventures and of experiencing a different area of the country. Little did she know that God had […]

Honoring Their Unique Gifts and Talents: Ministering to Teens with Disabilities, Part 2

Editor’s Note: This article was inspired by John Nixdor’s article on youthspecialties.com, “Ministering to Teenagers with Disabilities: Part 1 and Part 2.” by Rev. Phil Rogers Click here to read Honoring Their Unique Gifts and Talents: Ministering to Teens with Disabilities, Part 1. Inclusion Isn’t Just an Option; It’s Everything! Nixdor says that “while you […]

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