We’re starting something new for youth workers. . . and we’re inviting you to join us! Over the years it’s been my great joy to get into the undergrad and graduate classroom on hundreds of occasions, teaching youth workers how to dive deeply into understanding the rapidly changing cultural context of our students so that we might effectively bring the light of the Gospel to bear on their lives. It seems like each and every day our kids face some new combination of choices, pressures, problems, challenges, and opportunities as our world morphs and changes at breakneck speed. It’s for this reason that we’re starting this brand new Youth Min & Culture Cohort learning experience. In essence, we’re bringing the classroom to you!
Just today I read some of the latest research from the Pew Research Center on what it’s like to grow up today. Pew asked parents and teens this question: “Compared with 20 years ago, do you think being a teenager today is harder, easier or about the same?” It’s not surprising that 69% of U.S. parents of teens ages 13 to 17 say being a teenager is harder today than it was 20 years ago. It’s also not surprising that the two top reasons cited are social media and technology. I know that most youth workers know these realities well, and like most parents, are looking to learn how to read and understand the culture so that their ministry responses are truly transformative for their students.
How can we nurture our families, children, and teens into pursuing a growing passion for engaging in whole-life, biblically-faithful Christian discipleship as they navigate the difficult challenges of living to God’s glory in a rapidly changing culture?
As youth workers, we are uniquely positioned to facilitate these realities by engaging in what theologian John Stott calls “dual listening.” This means that we listen to both God’s Word and today’s world. By doing so, we will be prepared to not only bring the light of God’s Word to bear on today’s difficult and confusing cultural pressures and realities, but we can teach our students and their families to do the same. This will equip them to not only grow in their faith, but to integrate their faith into all of life, which is the kind of counter-cultural living we are called to as followers of Jesus Christ.
The Experience
The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding’s new Youth Min and Culture Cohort offers a unique opportunity for you to grow in your ability as a youth worker. As a member of the cohort, you will experience:
- A guided cohort experience with youth ministry peers, designed to increase your knowledge, skills, and effectiveness in equipping your students to navigate culture and apply faith to all of life.
- Eight 90-minute online meetings for practical instruction, discussion, and application with CPYU’s Dr. Walt Mueller.
- Dedicated individual meeting/coaching time with Dr. Walt Mueller.
- Registration is limited to 16 participants to allow for maximum cohort interaction.
The Schedule
Part 1 – Foundations: During our first four cohort meetings, Walt will introduce you to some necessary foundational practical theology and skills you can utilize in your ministry to both understand and address cultural realities, all with sensitivity to your students and faithfulness to God’s Word.
October 1, 2024 – Understanding Culture
October 15, 2024 – Culture as a Student-Shaping Influence
November 5, 2024 – Increasing Youth Ministry Effectiveness Through Cultural Exegesis
November 19, 2024 – Equipping Students To Navigate Culture Christianly
December – Individual Coaching Calls with Walt Mueller
Part 2 – Praxis: Our final four cohort meetings will focus on how to understand and practically address some of the main cultural influences and trends currently shaping children and teens. This may include issues related to digital technology, sexuality and gender, materialism, vocation/calling, social media, marketing, body image, etc.
January 7, 2025 – Issues in Current Youth Culture 1
January 21, 2025 – Issues in Current Youth Culture 2
February 4, 2025 – Issues in Current Youth Culture 3
February 18, 2025 – Issues in Current Youth Culture 4
Each meeting will take place over Zoom from 11:00AM to 12:30PM EST
To learn more about the cost for this cohort, how to register, and an extra added bonus for the 16 members of the cohort (we’re limiting size so that we might engage in effective interaction with each other), visit the registration page for our brand new CPYU Youth Min & Culture Cohort. We kick it off on October 1, so register soon!