YTI Youth Ministry Training Program
After 33 years of practice and research, Candler School of Theology’s Youth Theological Initiative has developed a unique and liberative pedagogy for working with youth. To share what we have learned, we will launch the first YTI Youth Ministry Training Cohort in 2026. Current youth directors and ministers are invited to apply. Applications will open on November 1, 2025, and close on January 1, 2026. We will select up to six participants.
Program Components
We will provide participants with a small stipend for the Summer Academy as well as room, board, and parking.
- We will meet online every two weeks beginning in February and running through May. There will be 3-4 hours of assigned independent work between meetings.
- There is no better way for someone to truly understand YTI pedagogy than to attend YTI as a staff participant; therefore, this cohort will serve alongside regular YTI mentors during the 2026 YTI Summer Academy. The cohort will attend a three-day YTI staff retreat in May, followed by a week of staff training (July 6-10). They will then begin residency for the YTI Summer Academy on July 11, departing on July 25.
- Following the academy, we will hold two additional online meetings, one in September and one in October, to complete the training program.
We will provide participants with a small stipend for the Summer Academy as well as room, board, and parking.
