Academics | The Center for Youth Ministry Training

Curriculum

The CYMT curriculum is specifically designed to develop practical theologians and theologically informed practitioners in youth ministry. Each student will develop his or her own “practical ecclesiology,” by doing ministry out of an intentional community and learning the skills that can prevent the isolation that can be deadly to long-term youth ministry.

The CYMT curriculum will combine intensive traditional classroom learning, peer learning, one-on-one coaching, and action/reflection processes that integrate students’ academic growth with the real-life situations of the churches they serve. Curriculum will focus on three broad areas:

1. Theology - Bible content and interpretation, basic systematic theology, and processes for thinking theologically about youth ministry

2. Practice - Understanding youth ministry, strategies for sustainable youth ministry

3. Personal - Leadership and spiritual development

Retreat – Peer Group Education Model:

CYMT has developed a retreat-based model that provides the best education and training available by allowing students to take classes through intensive retreats while working in local congregations. The program calls for three to four retreats each semester, during which one youth ministry course and one core seminary course content will be presented.

CYMT’s unique retreat-based learning allows our students to learn from the leaders in youth ministry education from professors to veteran youth ministers. At each retreat, students will have the opportunity to learn from youth ministry experts from across the country. At other seminaries and training programs, students only learn from one or two professors; CYMT students are afforded the chance to learn from the best of the best as they teach at weekend retreats in their areas of expertise.

In between the retreats, students meet in cluster groups to discuss and process the course material. Studies continue to display correlations between strong networks of peer relationships and church leaders who stay in ministry for the long haul. CYMT provides a fertile ground where those relationships develop.

Cluster Groups meet in the regions where our students work. We have clusters in Memphis, Jackson, and Nashville. They meet for two hours every week except during weeks when there is a retreat. Each cluster is led by one of our coaches who helps bring practical application to the coursework.

Fall Retreats

August 3-4, 2009 Orientation for New Students

August 5-7, 2009 Retreat 1

September 24-26, 2009 Retreat 2

November 2-5, 2009 Princeton’s Forum on Youth Ministry – Retreat 3

Spring Retreats

January 5-8, 2010 Retreat 1

February 25-27, 2010 Retreat 2

April 15-17, 2010 Retreat 3

Coaching/Mentoring

CYMT provides coaches for each of our students and churches, setting us apart from other programs and seminaries. We assign veteran youth ministers to mentor and guide every student as they develop as leaders. We also coach the churches working with pastors, laity, and volunteers to develop a strong foundation for youth ministry that will be sustainable beyond the CYMT program.