Theologians, philosophers, and pastors discuss the importance of maintaining boundaries, creating church safety guidelines, and instituting a system of regular and ongoing training of volunteers and workers.
Vision, Training and Safety
Every youth ministry is tasked with having a clearly stated vision.
Without vision, the people perish… [Proverbs 29:18a]
Every youth ministry is tasked with having a clearly stated vision. In order to enact that vision, strong and faithful leaders need to be properly supervised and trained in providing spaces of unconditional love and acceptance for young people. This requires support from and engagement with the entire faith community. When all of these things provide the undergirding of a youth program, that program cannot help but grow in breadth and in depth.
Training Modules
Leading theologians and pastors explore the importance of youth ministry and how developing a mission and vision statement can help to grow a thriving youth group in accordance with that mission.
Leading theologians and pastors discuss the importance of attracting, training and supervising both youth workers and volunteers to lead thriving youth groups.
This course explores the place of youth ministry within the congregation and how the church can better thrive when youth ministry is woven into its greater mission. Theologians and pastors offer advice on how to bring together different generations through worship, service, and preaching in ways that are beneficial for...
Curricular and Sample Materials
Best practices for new youth workers and volunteers.
These are resources for researching, creating and enforcing a church safe conduct policy.
A listing of denominational resources on church safety policies.
This list outlines suggested steps to take around church safety when hiring youth workers.
Examples of questions for a reference check to be in compliance with safe conduct concerns.
Sample disclosure forms for teen volunteers in youth ministry.
These are examples of interview questions for people applying for youth worker positions.
This lesson focuses on the important concerns of depression and suicide among youth.
A sample handbook for training youth leaders.
Example of a fall schedule of youth group programming.
This is an example of a youth group handbook outlining the philosophies and plans of youth program(s).
This lesson provides an outline for a meeting with parents-guardians at the beginning of a youth group program year.
Articles and Readings
An essay by Mary Elizabeth Moore and Yara Gonzalez-Justiniano on the wisdom of youth from the Joy and Adolescent Faith and Flourishing project.
An essay by Courtney Goto and Lakisha Lockhart on the importance of playfulness for adolescents from the Joy and Adolescent Faith and Flourishing project.
An essay by Allan Hugh Cole, Jr. and Philip Browning Helsel on anxiety and adolescents from the Joy and Adolescent Faith and Flourishing project.
An essay by Nadja Reilly, Sarah F. Farmer, and Katherine Hyde on adolescent mental health from the Joy and Adolescent Faith and Flourishing project.
An essay by Joyce Mercer and Charles E. Atkins, Jr. on substance abuse from the Joy and Adolescent Faith and Flourishing project.
Articles and resources on the place of youth ministry within the wider congregation.
Articles and resources on building and sustaining thriving youth ministries.
This reading is a segment by Michal Beth Dinkler from “Joy: A Guide for Youth Ministry”.
Further reading on how to build and supervise your youth ministry team.
Eric D. Barreto, Associate Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary writes to youth ministers.
Dr. Amanda Mbuvi, Assistant Professor of Religion at Highpoint University writes to youth ministers.
Matthew Croasmun, Associate Research Scholar for the Yale Center for Faith and Culture writes to youth ministers.
Michal Beth Dinkler, Associate Professor of New Testament at Yale Divinity School writes an open letter to youth ministers.
Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton, founder and executive director of House United, a nonprofit initiative that helps groups collaborate across theological and political differences, writes an open letter to Youth Ministers.