If you've ever had a chance to sit in a smaller circle of folks and intimately learn the ins and outs of youth ministry, share emerging ideas, and look at your theology of youth ministry with people who do what you do, then you know the feeling of a peer community and the security of relating with other youth ministers. If you haven't had this opportunity, then it is now knocking on your door.
The Youth Ministry Institute (YMI) in the North Georgia Conference (UMC) is an informational, practical, and relational training for people who serve in youth ministry. Whether paid staff or volunteer, a ministry presence of Christ in the lives of teenagers is important and deserves to be treated as such.
Churches and senior pastors: a great way to show support to your youth minister and youth ministry is to make sure his or her registration fee is covered.
Youth ministers: a great way to give support to your youth ministry team is to register, bringing all these great opportunities to your volunteer team.
YMI is a Youth Ministry Coaching Program – a whole-life coaching focusing on transformation and youth ministry development. This is a cohort led by The Youth Cartel’s Mark Oestreicher exclusively through the North Georgia Conference. YMI is scheduled to begin with an overnight retreat in September (beginning at dinner time) at Glisson Camping and Retreat Center (near Dahlonega). Each cohort meets six times in the year – every other month for two full days at Glisson.
Critical thinking and theological reflection are extremely important for youth workers who don’t merely want to perpetuate the way things have been done in the past. However, thinking and reflection are merely one portion (though a significant one) of what will help youth workers stay true to their calling and also grow in maturity and effectiveness. Emotional, relational, and spiritual health are essential to long-term impact. YMI is designed to provide both an opportunity for critical reflection and discussion of youth ministry issues, but also to provide a safe place to experience holistic growth.
In most ways, the YMCP will surpass the training that can be offered by seminars and conventions. It will even surpass the experience of formal education. This is specifically due to the structure of the program (a small cohort with accountability, safety and shared shaping of the content), as well as the content of the program (thoughtful youth ministry dialogue, real life application, customized personal development, emotional honesty, and spiritual direction).
Since its launch in 2010, YMCP has seen over 400 youth workers graduate from the program, and the results of have been astounding. Regardless of their age (from 24-60 years old) or experience in youth ministry (from one year to three decades), the ramifications of YMCP have resulted in profound personal and Kingdom impact.
After completing Youth Ministry Coaching Program, participants will have had the following experiences and opportunities:
Each YMCP face-to-face meeting will be two days.
Sample YMCP 2-Day Meeting Schedule
Day 1
8:00 – 9:15 am Highs & Lows, Report on Homework
9:30 – 11:00 am Teaching and interaction on a youth ministry subject
11:15 am – 12:00 pm Personal Sharing
12:00 – 2:30 pm
• Lunch break
• Personal coaching sessions with coach
• Spiritual direction appointments
2:30 – 3:15 pm Focused Input: cohort participant
3:25 – 4:10 pm Focused Input: cohort participant
4:25 – 5:00 pm Quick Input Blocks
5:30 – 6:00 pm Break
6:00 – 7:30 pm Dinner together
Day 2
8:00 – 9:00 am Reflection and Prayer
9:15 – 11:00 am Teaching and interaction on a leadership subject
11:30 am – 12:00 pm Book Discussion
12:00 – 2:30 pm
• Lunch break
• Personal coaching sessions with coach
• Spiritual direction appointments
2:30 – 3:15 pm Focused Input: cohort participant
3:30 – 3:45 pm Homework Assignments
Cost is $3500 which includes meals and lodging on each of the two-day meetings at Glisson.
Accepted participants will have an opportunity to speak into the actual meeting dates, but once set, the dates will not be flexible.
It is expected that churches will provide the funding through continuing ed or special reimbursement for YMI and not expect the youth minister to pay for YMI from his or her own personal funds; however, not all congregations can afford such an expenditure, and we do want a diversity of churches represented in each cohort.
If the church is unable to provide the necessary funds for YMI there is a grant available that will help.
Coming soon