Youth Min and Culture Cohort

Introduction

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 youthworker. 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 – Issue in Current Youth Culture 4

Each meeting will take place over Zoom from 11:00AM – 12:30PM EST

Additional Benefit

Each participant is encouraged to join Walt Mueller and the other cohort members in person at the Northeast Youth Ministry Summit (NYMS) in Ligonier, PA from March 17-20, 2025. Cohort registrants will receive $100 off their registration for NYMS. Separate registration is required.

Cost

$375

Register

Click here to register for the CPYU Youth Min and Culture Cohort!