A: Experienced youth ministers have also benefited from YMI immensely. Our array of on-site assessments challenge the assumptions of more experienced youth ministers. The support and coaching also allows them to expand their knowledge base and network of colleagues.

A: No. Churches have sponsored their part time or volunteer youth minister.

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 thirteen core 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.

A: Instructional training courses give youth ministers the building blocks for long term success in youth ministry. Learning objectives for each course, approved by the board of directors, are tied to one or more of thirteen core competencies. Instructors are chosen based on their expertise. YMI courses are structured to maximize a youth minister’s learning and retention by encouraging immediate practical application of the subjects most important to youth ministry.

A: YMI has accomplished the mission when youth ministers who are commissioned as completing the Youth Ministry Institute Two-Year Instensive:

-Show a 10% increase in their ability to utilize core competencies in their ministry.

-Remain at their church for a minimum of 5 years.

-Thrive in their profession after 10 years to the point of helping other youth ministers succeed.

A: Being certified in completing the Youth Ministry Institute means that a youth minister has received:

-Over 325 hours of classroom instructional training

-120 hours of face to face coaching

-Unlimited consulting by the Executive Director

A: YMI does take time. It is a two year commitment for people enrolling in the Two-year Intensive. People who choose YMI Online can take courses at their own pace.  The beauty of YMI is that it is time invested. For every course, 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, most importantly, the youth.

A: There are no “typical” YMI participants. They range from 21 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.

A: In the Two-year Intensive, the monthly retreat takes place at a centrally located church or retreat center so that youth ministers will have less than 4 hours to drive to get to a location.

A: YMI has had agreements with the United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church and Presbyterian Church USA. It is the commitment of the board of directors to serve a variety of churches in the Christian tradition and to seek partnerships with multiple denominations and non-denominational churches.

A: YMI is currently not associated with a seminary. However, all of the core theological courses offered by YMI are taught by seminary faculty from a variety of institutional backgrounds.

A: Yes. It is rigorous, but YMI has certified several people who have done seminary course work at the same time.

A: The relationship with YMI doesn’t end once a youth minister is certified. From one YMI graduate, “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 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.”

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, many churches fund their participation in YMI from multiple sources including designated giving for youth ministry development and designated giving for theological education. Oftentimes clergy 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.

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.

A: Yes. YMI has worked with over 100 churches, most having sent their youth minister through the two-year program. Other churches have received customized consultation or coaching for their youth minister. For a list of those churches in a geographic region, contact the YMI staff.

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.

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. The Job Placement process of matching churches with candidates who are the “best fit” is exemplary.