Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: How is a youth minister chosen to participate in YMI? A: Those with ministry related degrees have discovered the practical application of the instruction and the coaching is most encouraging to them. The best YMI students are youth ministers who have enough experience to know that they really need what YMI offers.
Q: How does YMI help youth ministers who are new to youth ministry? A: A new youth minister needs to know a whole lot more than they are able to learn in one year. That is why the coaching and consulting pieces of YMI are so important. The real test for a youth minister new to their church doesn’t come in the first year anyhow. It comes between 12 and 18 months when the newness has worn off. If foundational instruction is on the ground and great support systems are in place before this, youth ministers will survive this difficult period and thrive on the other side of it.
Q: What can YMI do to assist more experienced youth ministers? A: Experienced youth ministers have benefited from YMI immensely. The array of on-site assessments challenge the assumptions of more experienced youth ministers. The support and coaching allows them to expand their knowledge base and network of colleagues.
Q: Do I have to be a full time church employee to participate in YMI? A: No. Churches have sponsored their part time or volunteer youth minister. Youth ministers with other employment responsibilities must be able to attend all of the instructional training provided by YMI.
Q: How does YMI develop youth ministers? A: Core competency development is at the heart of YMI’s instruction and coaching. Through reflection, sharing and instruction YMI participants are challenged and encouraged to great personal growth in ten areas that have professional implications. Coaches and supervisors are involved in encouraging this growth in specific and tangible ways. This is the very thing that sets YMI apart from any other training program.
Q: How is the curriculum chosen? A: Instructional Training workshops give youth ministers the building blocks for long term success in youth ministry as well as foundational theological training. Learning objectives for each of the workshops, approved by the board of directors, are tied to one of ten core competencies. Workshop instructors are chosen by the Executive Director based on their expertise. Students evaluate each workshop upon its conclusion to be sure that all of the learning objectives are met. The training in the practical application of the subjects most important to youth ministry while a youth minister can immediately practice what he or she has learned maximizes their learning and retention.
Q: How does YMI determine if the mission is accomplished? A: YMI has accomplished the mission when youth ministers who are certified as completing the Youth Ministry Institute
Q: What does it mean to be certified by YMI? A: Being certified in completing the Youth Ministry Institute means that a youth minister has received:
United Methodist youth ministers may also receive additional youth ministry certification in their denomination at the completion of their degree work for a bachelors degree in youth ministry or a masters degree in specialized ministry of which YMI contributes 15 hours of credit.
Q: How much time does YMI take? A: YMI does take time. It is a commitment. The beauty of YMI is that it is time invested. For every monthly two day retreat there will be dozens of decisions that a youth minister will make that will optimize their time in a much more efficient manner. For every book there will be a handful of ideas that will have a direct effect on the quality of the youth ministry and the leadership given by the youth minister. For every conference the respite received will energize a youth minister to think about innovative ways of doing things. YMI is like any investment of time, it pays dividends in the end for the youth minister, the church and, more importantly, the youth.
Q: Who are the typical YMI participants? A: There are no “typical” YMI participants. They range from 22 year olds who have just graduated from college to second career people in their 40s. Some have just graduated from college with multiple degrees in ministry related fields or the study of theology. Some have never taken a college course. Youth ministers with as many as seven years of experience have found YMI very helpful as they have begun work at a new church.
Q: Where does YMI meet? A: The monthly two-day retreats and intensive retreats take place in Orlando at the Canterbury Retreat Center, north of the University of Central Florida. It is central to participants who drive from as far away as Miami, Naples, Tallahassee and Jacksonville.
Q: Is YMI affiliated with a Christian denomination? A: YMI is founded and continues to receive support (office space and other in-kind donations) by First United Methodist Church of Orlando. However, the board of directors is committed to serving a variety of churches in the Christian tradition and seeks partnerships with other denominational and non-denominational churches.
Q: Is YMI associated with a divinity program or any religious seminary? A: YMI’s academic partner is Southwestern College. While it offers fully accredited bachelors and masters degree programs, it is not a seminary. Several of the core theological courses taught by YMI are taught by seminary faculty and may be transferable to some seminaries.
Q: How do I get academic credit? A: Upon being certified by the Youth Ministry Institute, the youth minister would need to apply to Southwestern College and request that YMI transfer credits to that institution.
Q: Can I do this and be in a Seminary at the same time? A: Yes. It is rigorous. But, YMI has graduated three people who have done seminary course work at the same time.
Q: What are the benefits for those that are certified by YMI? A: The relationship with YMI doesn’t end once a youth minister is certified. From Emily Felgenhauer, Class of 2010, “When you graduate you not only feel more confident in being a youth director because you have been certified, but you now have an entire support system around you that can encourage and support you. Having other people in your life who understand why your heart breaks for teenagers is so important so we don't feel like were on an island all by ourselves. The benefits of graduating from YMI will last forever! In the end, there's nothing more important than that!” In addition, Kim Uchimura, a clergy of supervisor of a YMI graduate, says, “A youth minister that relies on expertise outside the church yields immeasurable benefits in both the short and the long term.”
Q: What is included in the cost of the program? A: YMI is an integrated program that combines instruction, coaching and consulting with the youth minister, church and senior pastor. It is more than college course work. It is more than typical outside consulting. The value of the two-year program including instructional training, coaching, an array of assessments on-site and over the phone, travel, registration, food and lodging at conferences and retreats and unlimited consulting is over $23,000. The board of directors actively raises funds annually. Family foundations, another source of income, offsets the value so that churches pay only $13,000 over the two years.
Q: Our continuing education budget won’t cover this. What should I do? A: The Youth Ministry Institute is not continuing education. It is an integrated program that encourages and supports effective youth ministry for the whole church. Therefore, churches fund their participation in YMI from multiple sources including designated giving for youth ministry development and designated giving for theological education. Often times senior pastors have discretionary funds that they may utilize or they may know of church members that would be willing to fund a project that will have a long term impact on the church.
Q: Are there grants or scholarships available? If so how do I apply? A: There are matching grants for United Methodist churches that fit particular criteria. That information is on the last page of the application.
Q: What costs will the youth minister incur? A: A youth minister participating in YMI is responsible for purchasing eight books, their gas to and from Canterbury Retreat Center, checked airline baggage and snacks or coffee purchased outside of meal times when traveling to conferences.
Q: Can a church sign up for just part of the program (i.e. coaching, instruction or consulting)? A: YMI works with every church to meet their needs and would love to have the conversation about how they might best be of help. However, the YMI board of directors recognizes that each of the components of the program are meant to complement one another and must work together in order to get the desired result of helping youth ministers become most effective in their role.
Q: Is there a list of churches who have participated with YMI? A: Yes. YMI has worked with over 35 churches, most having sent their youth minister through the two-year program. Other churches have participated in the pre-hiring consultation or have received coaching for their youth minister. For a list of those churches in a geographic region, contact the Executive Director.
Q: Does YMI offer follow-up with graduates of the program? A: Graduates of YMI may take advantage of any of the ongoing instructional training opportunities for a lifetime at no charge excluding travel, lodging and food. There are reunion events scheduled periodically by those that have graduated.
Q: Is there anything to help people interested in youth ministry but are not working in a church? A: Churches contact YMI all the time when they have a youth ministry opening. YMI also consults with churches who are in the search process. While YMI doesn’t match applicants with churches, it can suggest available positions. |
