National Certificate Program in Youth Ministry Studies
The Program
The Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies is a ministry education program for those in ministry with youth, ages 10-19, in both parish and school settings. It equips leaders with the knowledge, skills, practical tools and techniques needed for creative and comprehensive ministry with youth.
The Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies program includes eight courses offered in a weekend format over a two-year period. The aim of the program is to promote personal, spiritual and ministerial growth. The first year courses cover youth ministry principles and practices, leadership theory, processes, and skills. Courses in the second year focus on fostering the faith growth of youth through pastoral care, justice and service, prayer and worship, and evangelization and catechesis.
***PLEASE NOTE: We have just added an intense summer session for the National Certificate program in Youth Ministry Studies. You can take all four courses of the first cycle in just two weeks this summer. You can also make up classes that you missed during the normal cycle this year! For more information on dates, place, and other details please see the summer brochure!
To download a form that gives more information on the Certificate Program please follow this LINK!
Participants
This program has been designed for persons involved professionally or as volunteers with younger (10-14) or older (14-19) adolescents in a parish or school setting. The program is geared toward: Coordinators of Youth Ministry, Coordinators of Confirmation, Directors of Religious Education, Youth Ministry Volunteer Leaders, Junior High Leaders, High School Campus Ministers and Teachers, and Clergy.
Certification
A Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies is awarded by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to students who:
- participate in all eight courses;
- complete the Certificate Assignments and Learning Journal for each course;
- submit their assignments and Learning Journal by September 15 following completion of their final course.
Up to eight units for credit are available through Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles for completed programs (1 unit per course). College fees per unit also apply.
2009-2010 Course Dates
- November 7-8, 2009: Principles of Youth Ministry, Sean Lansing
- January 9-10, 2010: Practices of Youth Ministry, Deacon John Ashmore
- April 24-25, 2010: Foundations of Ministry Leadership, Vikki Shepp
- May 15-16, 2010: Skills for Christian Leadership, Ann Marie Eckert
Location & Schedule
All the classes are held at the San Fernando Regional Office, 15101 San Fernando Mission Blvd. Mission Hills, CA 91345.
For more information or to request an application, please contact Mike Norman at mnorman@la-archdiocese.org or (213) 637 7674.
Hours for the two-day weekend course are:
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fees
Individual Rates: $150 per weekend course (includes books, handouts, materials and hospitality).
Group Rates: $300 per weekend (includes workshop for whole team and one set of books and materials) for up to four participants per team.
Courses may be taken toward certification, or may be taken individually for in-service.
Meals
Meals: Morning and afternoon hospitality will be provided. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch or bring money to go to lunch in the surrounding area.
First Year Courses
Principles of Youth Ministry
November 7-8, 2009
Sean Lansing
Principles of Youth Ministry presents the foundational understandings and principles for developing effective, comprehensive ministry with young and older adolescents. It presents the vision and principles for comprehensive youth ministry and a model for developing youth ministry which incorporates developmentally appropriate youth programming, strengthens family life, involves young people as integral members of the faith community, and collaborates with civic organizations in a common effort to promote positive youth development.
Sean Lansing is a Coordinator for Youth Ministry Services at the Center for Ministry Development. Since 1997, Sean has served as part of the adjunct staff for CMD in the Young Neighbors in Action program. Sean's previous position was youth minister for the Central City Catholic Parishes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sean graduated from Marquette University in 1995; he holds a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies from St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee.
Practices of Youth Ministry
January 9-10, 2010
Deacon John Ashmore
Practices of Youth Ministry explores the development of comprehensive youth ministry through the collaborateive sharing of the resources in the community. Rooted in a theological and pastoral vision of community life, this course develops foundational understandings that will assist leaders in setting and implementing a vision for dynamic ministry with youth. this will include skills for advocacy, planning, and organizing youth ministry efforts. Methods for collaborative leadership among ministries and within ministry teams will also be developed.
Deacon John Ashomore is an ordained Deacon and Pastoral Associate at St. Mary Catholic Church in Big Rapids, Michigan. He holds a Master of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola University in Chicago. John has served in parish youth ministry for over twenty years and also serves as an adjunct staff fro CMD in the Young Neighbors in Action program. He has extensive experience in parish and diocesan work and has earned a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Youth Ministry from the Center for Ministry Development.
Foundations for Ministry Leadership
April 24-25, 2010
Vikki Shepp
Foundations of Ministry Leadership explores the theology, principles, and practices of effective leadership in Christian ministry. Participants will explore current leadership concepts and approaches, as well as Christian perspectives on leadership. Participants will also learn how to empower individuals and teams of leaders for ministry with youth. The course combines theory presentation with experiential learning as participants explore (a) leadership theory and assessment of styles for effective leadership; (b) theological and pastoral foundations for understanding leadership and empowerment; and (c) processes and tools for inviting, preparing, and nurturing adult and youth leaders in ministry.
Vikki Shepp currently serves as the Program Pathways Manager for the Girl Scout Council of Orange County in Irvine, California. Vikki has been committed to serving youth for the past 20 years; as a Youth Minister, Junior Girl Scout Leader, Middle School Teacher and having worked for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as a Consultant of Youth Ministry and Confirmation. She holds a National Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies and a Master of Arts degree in Humanities. Additionally, Vikki has published a number of articles on
working with youth, retreats, sessions, as well as three books; and has presented workshops on effective practices of working with youth and to youth throughout the United States and in Canada.
Skills for Christian Leadership
May 15-16, 2010
Ann Marie Eckert
Skills for Christian Leadership addresses the theories and skills needed for principle centered centered leadership in ministry. Participants will develop a practical, workingunderstanding of leadership process and skills and the experiential ability to use the skills. the course stresses the application of leadership skills to various ministry settings, problems, and issues.
Ann Marie Eckert is a Coordinator fro Youth Ministry Services for the Center for Ministry Development. Ann Marie holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Christ the King Seminary in Buffalo, New York. she previously held the position of Associate Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Ann Marie worked in diocesan ministry for over 10 years. She has authored and contributed to a number of books including Ministry Resources for Youth Leadership Development, Ministry Resources for Community Life, and Effective Practices for Dynamic Youth Ministry.
Second Year Courses
- Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Evangelization and Catechesis
- Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Prayer and Worship
- Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Justice and Service
- Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Pastoral Care
Sponsored by:
- Office of Religious Education Youth Ministry Division , Archdiocese of Los Angeles
- Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles
- The Center for Ministry Development, Naugatuck, Connecticut
