Every year at FYI, our team meets with hundreds of youth leaders, senior pastors, and parachurch ministry leaders like you to listen to your experiences and share our research insights. We love hearing your stories and getting to know the questions ministry leaders ask about discipling and serving today’s teenagers.
Underneath all the topics we tackle together with youth pastors and leaders each year, we find that many are constantly asking themselves three core questions about life in ministry.
3 common questions all youth pastors and leaders ask
How do I know I’m called to ministry?
Whether you’re brand-new to youth ministry or a seasoned youth pastor wondering where God might be nudging you, ask yourself these three questions: Do I have a passion for serving teenagers? Do my skills and talents align? Do I desire to patiently walk alongside students as they grow in faith?
Spending time in self-reflection, seeking confirmation from others, and practicing spiritual discernment can all help you explore your calling. Seek guidance and affirmation from trusted mentors, spiritual leaders, and your faith community who can recognize and encourage your potential for youth ministry. And devote time to prayer, asking for clarity and direction from God.
How do I prepare myself for youth ministry?
Ministry is a journey for which leaders never stop preparing themselves as each new generation of young people faces fresh challenges. Experienced youth leaders stay on their toes by asking the question, How do I prepare myself to support and walk today’s teenagers?
For those just getting started, pathways into professional youth ministry are often as diverse and unique as your own journey. Many churches look for leaders with academic degrees, while others prioritize experience or leaders who demonstrate faithful service in their own congregation. Start by building up practices that deepen your own personal faith and understanding of the Bible—developing a daily prayer rhythm, joining Bible studies, and seeking a mentor. Gain practical experience by volunteering in your church youth group, and cultivate strong communication and leadership skills to effectively engage and inspire young people in their spiritual journey. Whether you’re looking to build up or refresh your youth ministry skills, we’ve got the perfect solution.
What is my main role as a youth leader?
Youth ministry leaders at all levels of experience nurture a bright future for young people’s faith formation by consistently asking, How can I cast a wider vision for my church to support and disciple its young people?
Often churches structure the role of youth leader or youth pastor like that of a program director. It may even be your job title! But it’s essential for youth leaders to see themselves as the one charged to lead all adults in the church to invest relationally in teenagers so that students come to know that their identity is in Jesus, experience a sense of belonging in God’s family, and live out their purpose through the church.
Wherever you are in your youth ministry career, we want to help you strengthen your calling. We’re with you as you learn to lead your ministry and make decisions with confidence, nurture volunteers, equip parents, and plan action steps to disciple teenagers for faith that lasts.
What if you could get the latest youth ministry training without leaving your desk?
Whether you’re just getting started in youth ministry and want to set yourself up for success, or you’ve been doing youth ministry for a long time and need fresh insight, we’ve created a cutting-edge youth ministry training solution that will keep you up to speed.
With our Certificate in Youth Discipleship, you won’t have to put life or ministry on hold to expand your knowledge and access seminary training!
Certificate in Youth Discipleship
Our commitment to research and learning makes the Fuller Youth Institute a source youth leaders trust for the latest insights on discipling teenagers for a faith that lasts. With our new Certificate in Youth Discipleship, we’re bringing you Fuller Theological Seminary’s substantive learning paired with FYI’s latest research insights in an engaging, self-paced format.
Through each of the Certificate in Youth Ministry’s six courses:
We'll get you up to speed. Each 100% online course is theologically grounded, research-based, and practical—keeping you up to date with the ever-changing demands of your youth ministry role.
We'll sharpen your skills. You’ll experience foundational yet customizable digital learning—so you can explore the topics most pressing for your unique ministry.
We'll help you show your work. Tell the world about your completed Certificate in Youth Discipleship on your LinkedIn profile—or apply it toward master's degree credits at Fuller Theological Seminary!
Rachel Dodd is a spiritual director, writer, and Managing Editor at the Fuller Youth Institute. She has a BA (Church Music and Youth Ministry) from Point Loma Nazarene University, and completed her MDiv and DMin (Spiritual Formation and Direction) at Fuller Theological Seminary. Having served students and families in the UK and US for over 20 years, Rachel loves writing to share stories and equip those following their own calling in ministry. She and her husband, Carl, now live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, and have two daughters. Connect with Rachel at racheldoddwriter.com.
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