Certificate in Youth DiscipleshipGet the youth ministry training you need at the pace you need it. |
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Cutting-edge youth ministry training. Wherever you are. Whenever you need it.
Get the youth ministry training you need at the pace you need it.
Throughout this Certificate in Youth Discipleship you’ll strengthen your calling as you learn to lead your ministry and make decisions with confidence, nurture volunteers, equip parents, and plan action steps to ensure you’re discipling teenagers for faith that lasts.
Get the clarity and confidence you’ve been longing for as you disciple today’s young people. Equip yourself with guidance from researchers, theologians, and seasoned youth ministry professionals as you:
learn from the latest research, equipping you to better engage with today’s young people and their discipleship needs.
explore core theological and sociological concepts, informing and strengthening your ministry practice.
reflect on your ministry calling, bringing confidence and endurance for the long haul.
draw from biblical and theological perspectives to clearly envision and communicate a discipleship model for your ministry.
When you successfully submit the final project after finishing all six courses, you’ll earn a professional certificate from FULLER Equip. Successful completion of this certificate program may make you eligible for credit for prior learning (CPL), which grants you credit toward an advanced degree at Fuller Seminary.
Whether you’re brand-new to youth ministry or have years of experience, we’ll help you sharpen your skills.
You don’t have to put life or ministry on hold to expand your knowledge and access seminary training. Through each of the Certificate in Youth Ministry’s six courses:
YOU’LL USE WHAT YOU LEARN. You’ll apply your discoveries and ideas to disciple young people this Sunday, this year, and throughout your ministry career.
YOU’LL GAIN CONFIDENCE IN YOUR LEADERSHIP. You’ll respond to youth ministry’s ever-changing demands with the latest youth ministry thinking and the best theologically-grounded, research-based discipleship practices.
YOU’LL EFFECTIVELY DISCIPLE YOUR STUDENTS. You’ll sharpen your ministry focus through customizable learning that equips you for what you do best—responding to your teenagers’ unique discipleship needs.
YOU’LL HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR IT. Add each completed course to your resume or your LinkedIn profile, and let your leadership know about your training. When you complete the program’s six courses and final assignment, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Youth Discipleship. Your work may also be applied toward master's degree credits at Fuller Theological Seminary.
Complete the form below to preview the Certificate in Youth Discipleship. Check your email for an inside look at all 6 courses included in the certificate.
Complete all six courses to gain cutting-edge insights on discipling teens and enhance your youth ministry expertise.
COURSE 1:
REFLECTING ON YOUR DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY
When ministry gets tough, your story can be an anchor that reminds you what ministry’s all about. This course will sharpen your calling, reveal your blind spots, and inspire your growth.
COURSE 2:
DISCIPLING YOUNG PEOPLE
As your teens discover the good news Jesus is calling them toward, how can you help them take faithful steps? In this course, you’ll discover ministry strategies that prepare them for faith that lasts beyond youth group.
COURSE 3:
DISCIPLING YOUR VOLUNTEERS
If you want to effectively disciple teens, you need youth ministry volunteers who are growing in faith, too. This course will equip you with practical steps to nurture your team’s faith formation while you lead.
COURSE 4:
CULTIVATING A DISCIPLESHIP COMMUNITY
The teenagers you disciple need equipped parents and caregivers and a caring faith community as they grow. In this course, you’ll learn how to use your leadership strengths to speak up for young people so that they’re seen and understood.
COURSE 5:
DISCIPLESHIP WITH PURPOSE
As a youth leader, you’re always adapting to make your ministry relevant for your teenagers while faithful to the gospel and congruent with your community. This course gives you a practical model for faithful discernment and will increase your decision-making confidence.
COURSE 6:
DISCIPLESHIP STARTING POINTS
Setting the direction of your ministry calls you to lead with clarity and consistency. This course guides you to identify action steps for some of the most common discipleship challenges youth leaders tell us they face.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long is a course?
Each course will take around 15-18 hours to complete. Courses are 100% online and self-paced—you determine start and completion dates that work best for you! Courses 1-3 will be available starting May 2, 2024. Courses 4-6 will be available starting August 8, 2024.How long will it take to earn a certificate?
Completing six courses and a final project will take around 100-120 hours. There are no deadlines or required timeframes—you’re free to work at your own pace.Do I need to buy any books?
No, purchasing books is not necessary. The certificate fee is all-inclusive.Can you tell me more about the assignment?
To maximize your new-found insights, you’ll develop a short writing project that applies course learnings to your own unique youth ministry practice.Will I receive a grade?
No. Once you complete and submit the assignment, a Fuller Theological Seminary reviewer will respond with encouraging and constructive feedback.What does the Certificate in Youth Discipleship qualify me for?
If you successfully submit the final project after finishing the six courses, you’ll earn a professional certificate from FULLER Equip. Completion of this certificate program may make you eligible for credit for prior learning (CPL), which grants you credit toward an advanced degree at Fuller Seminary.How can I inquire about payment plan options?
If you are interested in a payment plan, please email fyi@fuller.edu to discuss options.
Meet your certificate instructors:
Steve Argue
Steven Argue, PhD (Michigan State University) is the Applied Research Strategist for the Fuller Youth Institute and associate professor of Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. Steve researches, speaks, and writes on adolescent and emerging adult spirituality. He has served as a pastor on the Lead Team at Mars Hill Bible Church (Grand Rapids, MI), currently coaches and trains church leaders and volunteers, and has been invested in youth ministry conversation for over 20 years. Steve is the author of Young Adult Ministry Now and co-author of and contributor to several books, including Growing With, 18 Plus: Parenting Your Emerging Adult, Sticky Faith Innovation, and Joy: A Guide for Youth Ministry.
Kara Powell
Kara Powell, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), the founder of the TENx10 Collaboration, and the Chief of Leadership of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary. Named by Christianity Today as one of “50 Women to Watch,” Kara speaks regularly at national parenting and leadership conferences, and is the author or co-author of a number of books including Faith Beyond Youth Group, 3 Big Questions that Change Every Teenager, Faith in an Anxious World, Growing With, Growing Young, The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family, Sticky Faith Curriculum, Can I Ask That?, Deep Justice Journeys, Essential Leadership, Deep Justice in a Broken World, Deep Ministry in a Shallow World, and the Good Sex Youth Ministry Curriculum.
Brad Griffin
Brad M. Griffin, MDiv, is the senior director of Content and Research for the Fuller Youth Institute, where he develops research-based training for youth workers and parents. A speaker, writer, and volunteer pastor, Brad is the co-author of over a dozen books, including Faith Beyond Youth Group, 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager, Faith in an Anxious World, Growing Young, several Sticky Faith books, Every Parent’s Guide to Navigating Our Digital World, and Can I Ask That?
Chuck Hunt
Charles “Chuck” Hunt, DMin, has been ministering to adolescents, young adults, and their families for more than 30 years. He was born in Virginia and grew up in Huntington Beach, CA, where his love for adventure developed. He has a BS from Hampton University in Aviation as well as an MDiv and DMin from Fuller Theological Seminary. Chuck is passionate about Christ’s call to restore our relationship with God and with each other, thus he advocates for righteousness and justice. He has a proven record of building teams in the church and fostering partnerships with organizations in the community. Through both his career and lived experience, Chuck has the ability to connect with individuals from diverse cultural, spiritual, and economic backgrounds. He lives with his wife Shannon and their young adult daughter Rhyen in Southern California. Though cleverly disguised as a responsible adult, Chuck still runs, surfs, mountain bikes, and skateboards.
Andy Jung
Andy Jung, DMin, is the senior director of Church Engagement and Business Administration at the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI). He focuses on developing relationships with church, denominational, and network leaders, finding ways for FYI's research, resources, and training to support their ministry. He has served as a youth minister for 20+ years and a senior pastor for five years. In addition to his work at FYI, he is a current ministry practitioner as he serves as the minister in residence for young adults at Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. Andy lives with his wife Amy in Raleigh and is passionate about helping churches better love and care for young people so that teenagers and young adults can thrive in their faith.