Financial Considerations

The Youth Ministry Institute is a two year program that encompasses three calendar years. Participants enroll in May of Year One and complete the Institute in April of Year Three. A total of $13,000 over three calendar years is paid to the Youth Ministry Institute for instructional education, coaching, and consulting services.

Year One
Initial $1000 deposit
  • Initiates pre-consult visit that includes a two hour on-site presentation/question and answer session including the youth minister, supervising clergy, personnel committee members, parents of youth, and volunteers in the youth ministry.
  • The Youth Ministry Architects will schedule their three day assessment of the youth ministry.
April $2000 payment
  • Youth Minister is enrolled in the Youth Ministry Institute
  • The Beginning Retreat is scheduled. The Youth Minister receives three books to read over the summer.
  • The character assessment is done by Ventures for Excellence.
  • Registration and travel is booked for the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention.
September $2000 payment
  • A coach is assigned to meet monthly with the Youth Minister. Both receive coaching curriculum prepared by Holy Moments.
  • Monthly instructional training retreats begin.
  • Lodging and meal costs are covered for the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention.
  • Registration and travel for the spring convention or school is paid. Possible destinations are: Perkins School of Youth Ministry in Dallas, Texas; Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry in Princeton, New Jersey; The Student Ministries Leadership Conference (Shift) in Chicago, Illinois; or the Group National Youth Ministry Conference (various locations).

Year Two
January $2000 payment due
  • Lodging and meal costs are paid for the spring convention or school.
  • Ongoing consultation is provided to the church.
April $2000 payment due
  • Registration and travel is paid for the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention.
  • Coaches are evaluated and paid their yearly stipend.

Year Three
January $2000 payment due
  • Lodging and meal costs for the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention are paid.
  • Registration and travel for the spring convention or school are paid.
April $2000 completion payment due
  • Lodging and meal costs for the spring convention or school are paid.
  • Coaches are evaluated and paid their yearly stipend.
  • Certification ceremony takes place.
After completion of the Institute, YMI recommends the annual fees being paid previously roll over into a salary and benefits package for the youth minister.

Alternative Financing

Youth Minister Contribution
The church asks the participant to contribute from their salary to the church for the Youth Ministry Institute. For example: Year One ($500) and Year Two ($500). The church then gives a $1000 bonus to the participant in Year Three for completing the Institute.

Multiple Staff
Multiple staff from the same youth ministry receive a 10% discount for every person enrolled after the initial youth minister.

Matching Grant for United Methodist Churches
The Florida Conference will match a church's contribution dollar for dollar. Details of eligibility requirements are not yet available.

Southwestern College
Tuition fees will be the responsibility of the youth minister so that they may be fully eligible for financial aid from other sources. All Youth Ministry Institute participants will receive a 10% tuition break if ten enroll and the six hour practicum for free. There may be an additional 10% tuition rebate upon successful completion of any course work. However, the Youth Ministry Institute strong encourages support in this educational endeavor.