Kirsten Knox Youth Ministry Liaison to the Diocese of Central Florida Senior Director of Ministry Partnerships, Youth Ministry Institute

Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, Youth Ministry Institute (YMI) has noticed several common factors. The need for community among ministry leaders is real. We are experiencing a collective traumatic event. Personal growth and development have never been more critical. Finally, we all have many questions about our most basic ministry programs.  As the diocesan youth ministry consultants, YMI is here to offer you some free resources:

• Virtual Customized Coaching Session: This is a challenging time in ministry.  You can easily feel exhausted, confused and overwhelmed.  A coaching session will provide you with the guidance, support and strategies you need to develop a healthy youth ministry.  Whether you work full time, part time or volunteer as a youth ministry leader, this is a great opportunity for you to move the ministry forward.
• Digital Next Step Consulting Session: We are called to disciple young people and pass our faith down to the next generation. And God has given your church what you need to do just that!  At YMI, we believe your church has strengths and assets that can be leveraged to build a healthy youth ministry. You have what it takes! What often limits us are our own ideas of what a youth ministry is supposed to look like. Take a deep breath; there are many ways to disciple young people. YMI uses assessment tools to help you evaluate your strengths and develop a strength-based strategy to move forward. Gather your vestry or youth volunteers and together we will develop your next steps.
• Understanding This Generation (Gen Z) Podcast. In this episode, Kirsten Knox discusses the traits of Gen Z and their greatest challenges. Knox shares why empathy may just be the key for Gen Z and why she believes small to medium-sized churches may have an advantage in reaching students today.

YMI also offers the following fee-based resources:

• Mission Projects While Social Distancing:Since Soul in the City was canceled this year, YMI wants to make sure you have resources for continuing to cultivate a heart of service within your students, even in this season.  Check out 20 ideas here.

• YMI Online: Since 2005, YMI has led the way in providing training for youth, children and family ministers with challenging, practical and affordable courses. YMI Online uses a time-tested and proven curriculum through an interactive online learning platform. YMI has released four courses so far: The Five Elements of Youth Ministry, Program Design 101, Leadership 101 and Theology 101.  To take a course, all you need is a computer and the internet.
• Theology 101: Have you ever had a student ask you a tough question? One like: Can God make a rock so heavy that God cannot lift it? Or more seriously: Where was God when my parents were sick? Complicated and often-paradoxical questions can leave you feeling as though you have no idea what you’re doing. But you don’t have to stay there. These questions and situations reveal the need for good, thoughtful theology, even in youth ministry. Increase your confidence level by taking YMI’s Theology 101 course.