Cohort Program Program Design College Credit
Mission Team Board Partners Meet the Director
Youth and Children's Ministry Training and Development
 
 

MLI is now part of CYMT.

Learn more about our team and ministry at: cymt.org/certificates

We look forward to welcoming you! This site will redirect in 10 seconds.

 
 
 

MLI is joining CYMT

The MLI Instructional Cohort Program is now part of the CYMT portfolio of services. Certified cohorts of youth and children’s ministry leaders will now be backed by the strengths of MLI and CYMT leadership teams. Learn more about the Center for Youth Ministry Training.

What we do

Our services take a holistic approach to ministry health. We focus on training and educating leaders and helping them grow through individualized coaching. Read on to find out more.

 

Cohorts & Training Certification

two-year cohorts for youth & children’s ministers

MLI connects the dots between the classroom and the congregation with instructional cohorts that combine theological education with practical ministry training. Our students are church leaders from a variety of backgrounds, including recent college graduates, those starting a second career, and experienced practitioners. Our commissioned graduates typically double their ministry attendance.
 

Vocational & Executive Coaching

one-on-one support for extraordinary results

Feeling stuck? Not seeing the results you or your staff desires? It doesn’t have to be this way! MLI provides your staff with one-on-one coaching, for clergy, youth and children’s ministers, or key volunteers in your ministry. Members of our coaching faculty listen, make observations, and ask powerful questions, helping our partners creatively work toward extraordinary results. Investing in adaptive leadership, for yourself or for your staff, is investing in your ministry.

 
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Why MLI?

1 in 3

youth ministers

stay in the same position for 2 or more years, and turnover in children’s ministry is also high.

1 in 6

youth ministers

(and very few children’s ministers) have prior ministry training in their field.

University studies show that youth and children involved in their church are more likely to live a life of faith, more likely to experience academic success, and less likely to engage in risky behavior. Harvard’s School of Public Health reported in 2018 that kids raised in church become happier adults.

The Exemplary Youth Ministry Study found the most important asset in a youth and children’s ministry is the strength of competent church staff. MLI recognizes many of these creative leaders don’t have the educational background or training to succeed.

An effective youth and children’s ministry provides life-giving support, nurture, and spiritual tools to young people. The MLI certificate program will equip your staff with the tools to create this environment for the young people in your congregation.

Ministry Leadership Initiative is now a part of The Center for Youth Ministry Training. All information on this website will soon only be accessible at cymt.org.

“

I’m learning so many new things that I can relay to my volunteers. Our professor made it interesting, and it’s giving me confidence as a leader. There are a lot of changes coming our way, and I’m thankful for this opportunity.

Alicia, a volunteer children’s minister and 2023 MLI cohort member

 
 

“

No other program even comes close to offering the depth and richness of what you’re providing with Ministry Leadership Initiative.

Pastor Russell, from a previous MLI partner congregation

 
 

@ministryleading on Instagram

Hey, we have a new website! How cool is that? There's more! MLI is now offering grants to rural and urban churches! Our new cohort is forming, so don't miss out. New enrollments receive immediate coaching, with instruction starting in September.
Hey, we have a new website! How cool is that? There's more! MLI is now offering grants to rural and urban churches! Our new cohort is forming, so don't miss out. New enrollments receive immediate coaching, with instruction starting in September. Check out the website for more information! #ministryleading ministryleading.org/cohorts
This has been a tough, character-building year for those who serve in ministry. Notably, the Barna Group conducted a study of pastors during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, confirming the difficulty of leading youth and children's ministry in the midst
This has been a tough, character-building year for those who serve in ministry. Notably, the Barna Group conducted a study of pastors during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, confirming the difficulty of leading youth and children's ministry in the midst of the pandemic. The study found "half of pastors agree that ministry to kids and youth is the largest challenge they are facing right now." Members of the MLI cohort recognized this challenge. #ministryleading Blog: https://ministryleading.org/blog/reflection-essay-looking-back-at-ministry-during-the-pandemic
Will families of young people return to your church after the pandemic? MLI offers networking assistance, search support, and search committee training, often at no cost. Consider offering our two-year instructional cohort program as a job benefit. m
Will families of young people return to your church after the pandemic? MLI offers networking assistance, search support, and search committee training, often at no cost. Consider offering our two-year instructional cohort program as a job benefit. ministryleading.org
I wrote the first business plan for this non-profit work eight years ago, on February 2, 2013. It was Groundhog Day! How can we help your church and community? #ministryleading ministryleading.org
I wrote the first business plan for this non-profit work eight years ago, on February 2, 2013. It was Groundhog Day! How can we help your church and community? #ministryleading ministryleading.org
Ready to lead a Confirmation class in a pandemic? Read on! It can be done. It can be done well. It can be well done! I think the key is to break up online teaching into "chunks" of interaction rather than hour-long Zoom sessions. Consider a
Ready to lead a Confirmation class in a pandemic? Read on! It can be done. It can be done well. It can be well done! I think the key is to break up online teaching into "chunks" of interaction rather than hour-long Zoom sessions. Consider a video and small groups. Keep your kids engaged! Let me know if you have some ideas, and I'll update the post. #ministryleading https://ministryleading.org/ministry-in-the-midst-of-covid-19/building-a-great-online-confirmation-class
Merry Christmas 🎄 from MLI! Find us online at: ministryleading.org #ministryleading
Merry Christmas 🎄 from MLI! Find us online at: ministryleading.org #ministryleading
The magnificat, in Luke's Gospel, is beautiful! Here is the mother of Jesus, happily singing about how great God is and how faithful she is. I think she starts the revolution. When I read this text, I wonder if Mary was influencing Jesus from an earl
The magnificat, in Luke's Gospel, is beautiful! Here is the mother of Jesus, happily singing about how great God is and how faithful she is. I think she starts the revolution. When I read this text, I wonder if Mary was influencing Jesus from an early age. We tend to think that Jesus and the Holy Spirit conferred on the scope and character of his ministry. What if it was Mary? #ministryleading https://ministryleading.org/blog/eds-reflections-on-christmas
Well, COVID numbers are back up. The weather is getting colder. Rats. Youth ministry for many churches is now back online after meeting outside or in carefully-managed indoor gatherings. Why not host a virtual Christmas party with your youth or with
Well, COVID numbers are back up. The weather is getting colder. Rats. Youth ministry for many churches is now back online after meeting outside or in carefully-managed indoor gatherings. Why not host a virtual Christmas party with your youth or with your families? Consider playing “Bingo” or “Name that Christmas Tune” over Zoom (or other teleconferencing platform). Even children can participate. https://ministryleading.org/ministry-in-the-midst-of-covid-19/christmas-virtual-bingo
Help MLI end the year strong with #GivingTuesday! mligiving.org
Help MLI end the year strong with #GivingTuesday! mligiving.org
We had to adapt, and this is a system that works for us. What’s working for you? What is your plan for the rest of the year? If you’re meeting outdoors, how will you adapt to the changing weather? What other challenges and adaptations are
We had to adapt, and this is a system that works for us. What’s working for you? What is your plan for the rest of the year? If you’re meeting outdoors, how will you adapt to the changing weather? What other challenges and adaptations are you anticipating? Adaptive solutions are complicated. Covid has forced all of us to consider adaptive solutions to difficult problems. Is there a safe way for churches to move youth group back inside? This blog post discusses the difference between technical and adaptive challenges and solutions. #ministryleading https://ministryleading.org/ministry-in-the-midst-of-covid-19/bring-youth-group-back-inside-an-adaptive-solution
How do churches grow? Matt unpacks a few important traits of vibrant churches. You can do this! Want help? We now offer financial aid to small churches. Our next retreat is October 26, so contact Matt for information soon! ministryleading.org/cohor
How do churches grow? Matt unpacks a few important traits of vibrant churches. You can do this! Want help? We now offer financial aid to small churches. Our next retreat is October 26, so contact Matt for information soon! ministryleading.org/cohorts
Our two-year program now includes a degree pathway! Youth and children’s ministers who complete the MLI Instructional Cohort Program will be awarded college credit. This is an optional, added benefit offered by our program. #ministryleading
Our two-year program now includes a degree pathway! Youth and children’s ministers who complete the MLI Instructional Cohort Program will be awarded college credit. This is an optional, added benefit offered by our program. #ministryleading
 
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Find resources

No matter what your ministry role, we have resources to meet your congregation’s needs. Click below to learn more.

 

for youth & Children’s ministers

Get more information on our two-year Instructional Cohort in partnership with the Center for Youth Ministry Training.

Coaching for Personal Growth

An assigned MLI coach will meet with you monthly to cultivate trust and facilitate your growth.

Share a Gift

Your gift to our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization will benefit hundreds of young people in the next year.