For many of us, this past year has been one of youth ministry “survival mode.” There is a season for that.
And, there is also a season for thriving: for embracing life, joy and new tools in youth ministry. As we enter this new season, the Yale Youth Ministry Institute is pleased to be able to offer opportunities to hear from speakers who have done just that. We will hear from people about emotional intelligence, trauma, and sacred story. We will hear about children’s ministries, and from those who have engaged in anti-racism work with youth. Each of our presenters brings a unique perspective and experiences, but all of them hold a piece to the puzzle that will help us answer the question: How can my youth ministry not just survive, but thrive?

Past Events › Thriving, Not Surviving: Building a Toolkit for a Flourishing Youth Ministry in 2021-2022
September 2021
The Emotional Intelligence Factor: How to Apply EI to Youth Ministry
Online Event
Video and clips from the event are here: The Emotional Intelligence Factor: How to Apply EI to Youth Ministry
Slides from the event are here: The Emotional Intelligence Factor: How to Apply EI to Youth Ministry
Video
October 2021
Grief, we all feel it, but do you know what to do with it?
Online Event
Video and clips from the event are here: Grief, we all feel it, but do you know what to do with it?
Slides from the event are here: Grief, we all feel it, but do you know what to do with it
Video
November 2021
Belonging
Online Event
As youth leaders, we strive to be welcoming towards everyone. We want every young person to feel like they belong.
But what does “belonging” actually look like? What might it mean to prioritize actual belonging in your youth group?
We all want to belong to a community and that sense of belonging is elemental to our well-being. Join Dr. Margaret Clark for a conversation about just how much young people want to belong, how they strive to belong and what really makes people feel that they belong.
Video from the event is here: BelongingSlides from the event are here: Belonging
Video
December 2021
I Hear You: Creating Listening Spaces with Youth
Online Event
How well do you listen to youth's stories?
No, really.
And how well do your young people listen... really listen to one another, and to God's work in their midst?
Long-time youth ministry worker Mark Yaconelli has spent his career engaging in the quieter nature of youth ministry. Through the use of contemplation and compassionate exercises, Mark has fine-tuned the art of listening. By modeling this for youth, youth workers impart a valuable skill set to their young people: how to listen to one another, and how to be attentive for God's work in their lives.
Video and clips from the event are here: I Hear You: Creating Listening Spaces with Youth
Video
Upcoming Events
Past Events
- Thriving, Not Surviving: Building a Toolkit for a Flourishing Youth Ministry in 2021-2022
- Not Your Mothers Youth Group: Ministry to Youth in 2020-2021
- Youth Ministry in a Modern Age 2019-20
- Nurturing Joy Fall 2018
- Nurturing Joy 2017-2018
- Nurturing Joy 2016-2017
- Nurturing Joy 2015-2016
- A Future with Hope: 2014-2015
- Youth Ministry: Now! 2013-2014
- Youth Ministry: Now! 2012-2013