Statements
Mission
The Center for Youth Ministry Training equips youth ministers and communities of faith to develop innovative, effective, and theologically informed ministries so youth may experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Background
Since 2006 years, the Center for Youth Ministry Training has equipped those working with youth with training, education, tools and training.
Churches and local ministries are not meeting the spiritual needs of today's teens. Whether it be from lack of understanding, education, & resources, or from unhealthy and dated forms of engagement - teens are left to navigate a challenging world where they feel lost and unheard, or without faith at all. Today's teens need leaders and spiritual tools that help them in authentic faith-formation. At CYMT, we equip leaders to minister, innovate, and engage with youth so that they may experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ leading to identity and purpose.
Graduate Residency in Youth Ministry - Practical and Theological Training for Youth Ministers
-For individuals called to professional youth ministry in need of in-depth training and education.
-3 year program including seminary education through strategic partner seminary + personalized coaching
-Practical training in how to develop an effective and sustainable youth ministry program to diminish burnout
-Curriculum and resources that address the needs of today's teens through topics such as depression, loneliness, racism, identity, and more
Innovation Laboratory - Changing How Faith Communities Develop Ministry
-For individuals and communities of faith needing to 'break the mold' and develop responsive, theologically informed, and transformative ministry.
-Interactive and immersive opportunities for ministry leaders to understand the real needs of the youth and community around them
-Pairs design-thinking from the business world into conversation with theology to provide data-driven research and dialouge.
-A non-linear, 5-phase process for working in teams to create innovation solutions for new ways of ministry.
Theology Together - Disrupting Youth Ministry Culture
-For both youth leaders AND youth seeking to dive into deep, meaningful theological reflection that yields an active faith.
-Tools for both youth and adults that challenge the status-quo and creates space for thoughtful dialogue.
-Resources for youth to help them develop a theological practice for understanding the world around them - helping to develop them as leaders, theologians, and active participants in their community.
-Training, resources, books and curriculum for teaching youth how to think and reflect theologically
Impact
1) Through our Graduate Residency in Youth Ministry program, we are currently training 50+ residents who are serving in 50+ partner ministries across the country. CYMT has residents in 14 states. We have graduated 136 professional youth ministers through the program and have 40+ coaches serving with us. Our youth ministers impact of over 10,000+ youth sharing with them God's love and grace.
2) Our Innovation Lab provides churches and ministry the opportunity to go through a theological innovation process to better understand the needs and assets of one's community and to respond intentionally. These ministries are changing the way their entire communities engage and care for young people.
3) Our Theology Together initiative has had 2000+ youth & 200+ youth ministries use Theology Together curriculum through partnerships with City Service Mission. We are continually launching what we call Holy Disruption curriculum that provides robust content for young people. These are written by different authors of different theological, contextual, and ethnic backgrounds.
4) We also have a new Community Ministry emphasis. We are in the learning, research, and partnership phase. We are excited to be responsive to the needs of community ministries and help equip those who feel called to serve community ministry.
Needs
Raise $450,000 in annual funds to support CYMT's growth both locally and nationally. 2. Raise $100,000 to support CYMT's work with under-resourced communities (Big Payback Focus). 3. Respond to the national need for theologically trained and practically educated youth ministers.
CEO Statement
Every year CYMT equips youth ministers and partner ministries to develop theologically informed and practically effective youth ministries. These ministries touch the lives of thousands of teenagers and their families each year. What CYMT does is not magic; instead we faithfully walk with young youth ministers to help them develop their gifts and skills and to help them navigate their first few years in the ministry. Additionally, we help church and non-profit leadership develop structures of support for healthy youth ministry. Join us by investing in youth through CYMT. We desire to see more leaders developing more ministries so that more youth know Jesus.
Dietrich Kirck
Executive Director
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Religion- Related - Christianity |
| Secondary Category: | Education - Graduate & Professional Schools |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
CYMT partners with partner ministries throughout the country, currently impacting 14 different states. Graduate residents are recruited from around the world.
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Davidson |
| KY - Christian |
| TN - Robertson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Smith |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Putnam |
| TN - Montgomery |
| TN - Maury |
