How to Become a Youth Minister

How to Become a Youth Minister – A Journey of Faith and Dedication

Youth ministry is a pivotal facet of many Christian communities. Through it, young individuals are afforded the opportunity to develop a closer relationship with their faith, absorb essential life values, and connect with a more significant purpose. If you feel an inner calling to support and shepherd young souls on their spiritual expeditions, becoming a youth minister might just be your destined path. Here’s a more comprehensive guide to help you journey this fulfilling vocation.

Understanding the Role:

At the core, a youth minister shoulders the responsibility of guiding young people’s Christian education and spiritual development. This can encompass orchestrating events, retreats, study circles, community service projects, counseling, mentoring, and essentially being a trusted minister for these young people. The goal is to help the youth become young Christian leaders!

Lindsey Callis’ Journey at the Christian Leaders Institute:

For many like Lindsey Callis from Madison, Indiana, this journey is deeply personal. As a mother of six children and two dogs, Lindsey’s heart has been called towards youth ministry. She envisions herself as a group leader and church youth minister. For Lindsey, working with children within her church and witnessing their spiritual growth over the years has been a deeply rewarding experience.

Lindsey is currently involved in the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI), a platform dedicated to offering high-quality ministry training. Through CLI, she hopes to concentrate her studies on Youth Ministry, preparing herself to lead the future torchbearers of the church.

She shares, “I have had the privilege to assist with the youth at my church this month and get firsthand experience of where my studies at CLI will lead me. With two teenagers of my own, understanding the spiritual warfare they confront daily aids me in guiding them better. My aspiration is for the youth I mentor to fathom God’s immense love for them, help others, and imbibe discipleship.”

Opportunities with an Ordination from Christian Leaders Alliance:

For those aiming to bolster their credentials and deepen their commitment, the Christian Leaders Alliance offers ordination opportunities. At the Christian Leaders Alliance, you start with foundational ordination roles in ministry. Once these roles are completed, you can specialize according to your calling, gifts, and interests. For example, to become a Licensed Youth Minister, you would first establish your foundational role as a licensed minister and then pursue specialized studies in youth ministry.

Licensed Wedding Officiant with Youth Ministry Specialization:

Once ordained, you can assume the role of officiating weddings. This often intersects with youth minister roles as the youth you mentor enter new eras in their lives and find their life partners, and look to marry. They might seek pre-marriage counseling and request that you officiate their ceremonies. As the initial clergy role, this can be specialized with a focus on youth ministry.

Foundational and Specialized Ordination Roles

Licensed Wedding Officiant – Click Here for details
Licensed Wedding Officiant with Youth Ministry Specialization – Click Here to review additional courses.

Licensed Youth Field Minister:

By serving your local community as a field minister, you pave a path of spiritual guidance. CLI’s curriculum offers foundational courses to equip you properly. This program builds upon the Licensed Wedding Officiant role by adding more courses to enhance your competencies in ministry. As a volunteer minister, you can continue your ordination journey. This role is adaptable for various life scenarios. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, retired, or serving as an office bearer in a church, you can tailor this role to specialize in youth ministry.