What is the difference between a student intern and a student?
Student interns are applying for jobs through the CYMT program.  Students already have a job.  Other than that participation in the program is exactly the same.

What are the student intern expectations?
Student Internship Expectations
Student Expectations

When can I start?
The CYMT academic program begins in August.  All students will begin their appointments by August 1.  A student may start their appointment earlier if mutually agreed upon by the church, student, and CYMT.  If you begin your appointment early, you will be compensated for the extra time.  There is no guarantee that your church will want you to start early.

What are the denominations of the potential job sites?
We will partner with any mainline denomination; however, most partner churches are United Methodist or Presbyterian. We have worked with United Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Episcopal churches so far. Student background will be taken into consideration for internship placement.

What is the CYMT statement of faith?
Click here to read the CYMT statement of faith

Is the training meant to replace seminary? Would I be equipped to handle (knowledge and experience) a youth ministry job or do you see the program as a step towards seminary?
Most seminaries provide no youth ministry specific training; therefore, we will provide theological, Biblical, and practical training applicable to youth ministry. Students will be equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to be effective youth ministers when they complete the program.  Seminaries offer a much broader and deeper scope of ministry and theology.  Our partnership with Memphis Theological Seminary allows students to complete a Master of Arts if they desire.  The M. A. can meet the requirements for ordination in some denominations.  Students who would like to complete a seminary degree at another seminary can transfer the credits earned at the CYMT through MTS to another seminary. Some seminaires limit the number of credits that you can transfer.

How often are we in class?
In the CYMT’s unique retreat format, each semester there are 3 or 4 intensive retreats that make up the majority of the classroom time.  In addition to the retreats, you will meet weekly with a cluster group that will discuss the readings for the classes and provide a place for peer support in your common journey. 

What is the semester class schedule? Here is a sample.
Fall Retreats

August 2-3, 2009	Orientation for New Students
August 3-8, 2009	Retreat 1
September 24-26, 2009	Retreat 2
November 2-5, 2009	Princeton’s Forum on Youth Ministry – Retreat 3

Spring Retreats

January 6-9, 2010	Retreat 1
February 25-27, 2010	Retreat 2
April 15-17, 2010	Retreat 3

What is the summer and winter schedules?
From the middle of May through August 1, there is no course work associated with the Certificate in Youth Ministry.  You will continue to serve your church and receive coaching.
From mid-December through until the first week of January, there is a winter break from course work although you will continue to work at your church and receive coaching.

Where are the retreats?
Except for the national conventions and conferences that we will attend most retreats will take place in Nashville or Memphis area.

Where do the cluster groups meet?
CYMT has cluster groups in its regional locations.  The Nashville Campus currently has cluster groups in Nashville, Jackson, and Memphis.

Is there an online cluster group that I could participate in?
Yes - our online cluster group is for students serving at churches that are to far away to come to our Nashville and Memphis cluster groups, but who can still participate in retreats.

Can students earn credit for their work?
Yes – CYMT’s partnership with Memphis Theological Seminary makes it possible for you to earn 32 graduate level credits through our Certificate program.  Our partnership also allows you to complete a Master of Arts through MTS.

Are scholarships available?
CYMT does not provide scholarships.  However, you may be eligible for a scholarship from your home congregation or your denomination (usually if you are pursuing ordination you are eligible if you have started the process talk with your pastor about eligibility).  You will be considered a MTS student may make you eligible for other scholarships.

Click Here to learn what students are saying about the CYMT program.

What about insurance? Do we have to provide our own?
Students will be expected to provide their own health and auto insurance. The CYMT has identified several companies that offer affordable health care coverage. Example: Farm Bureau of Tennessee offers 24 year old, non-smokers coverage for $115 per month. It would be possible to have the CYMT pay for this coverage out of your monthly stipend. The CYMT will help students identify affordable coverage.

How much do we get paid?
Students receive a $12,000 a year stipend in addition to housing.

What is my cost to be in the program?
You will pay a $50 application fee when you apply. Your tuition is $1000 for the Certificate in Youth Ministry program.  If you choose the degree track, you will have additional tuition costs.

Are all positions part-time?
Most students will be the only youth director at their appointed church. Students will be required to work a minimum of 25 hours/week average.  Obviously, some weeks it will be more due to retreats or other special events.

Is there potential for full-time employment at the church after 2 years?
Our hope is that churches will move from part-time to full time ministries at the end of the 2 year internship.  At the end of the two years, we hope that students go to seminary if they desire to continue their education or complete a degree, move into full time youth ministry where they served, or move into full time ministry at another church.

How many students stay at their churches after the program?
Although we only have our first two classes to go on so far 8 of our 12 graduates stayed at their church.  One entered the mission field, one took a position at another church of her native denomination, one is pursuing music ministry with youth, and one is undecided.

How will vacation time work?
Students will be given 2 weeks’ vacation for the year.  In addition to the two weeks’ vacation, there will be down time from classes although not from work at various times of the year. Example: We will finish classes Mid December and pick back up the 2nd week in January.  Depending on your responsibilities at the church during those times, you might have additional time off.

What are the housing arrangements?
Some of the Nashville area students will be housed at the Tyne House at First Presbyterian Church. Housing will be provided in the area near the church of those partner churches more than 25 miles from Nashville.

Would I bring my furniture and would I need my own computer?  
The Tyne House is equipped with the essentials: bed, living room furniture, etc. Students are welcome to bring their own furniture.  We will expect the churches to provide you with an office and computer at work.  We’ll encourage but not require laptops.  If you live in a house provided by the church, we will encourage the church to help furnish the house with the essentials that you do not have

What is the difference between a Partner Church and a Training Church?
Partner Churches are seeking a student intern to serve at their church as their youth director. Training Partner Churches already have a youth director who will study at the CYMT. Both types of churches will receive monthly coaching from the CYMT staff.

Do we get to interview the potential students?
Yes and No - students will be selected and placed by the CYMT. However, the CYMT will work closely with your church and allow you to give your input into what kind of student would be the best fit for your situation. Denominational background and church needs will be considered heavily when matching students to churches.   You will have the opportunity to have a phone interview (get to know each other) and meet face to face (whenever possible) before a student begins their work at your church to look for any red flags.

Are there any hidden financial responsibilities?
The other financial commitment churches make beyond the yearly commitment is to have a youth ministry budget to support the programs of the youth ministry. An acceptable amount will be mutually agreed upon by the CYMT and partner church based on number of active students.
Churches that are more than 25 miles from a students discussion group meeting location will be expected to pay a mileage fee.

What churches have you worked with before?
Click Here for a list of current partner and training churches and to learn what pastors and students are saying about the CYMT program.

What are the partner church expectations?
Partner Church Requirements
Training Church Requirements

When do students begin their appointments?
The CYMT academic program begins in August.  All students will begin their appointments by August 1.  A student may start their appointment earlier if mutually agreed upon by the church, student, and CYMT.  There will be financial considerations for students who begins their appointment early.  The most important part of the process is finding the right student for your church.  There is no guarantee that your student will want you to start early.

How many students stay at their churches after the program?
Through two years, 8 of our 12 graduates stayed at their church.  One entered the mission field, one took a position at another church of her native denomination, one is pursuing music ministry with youth, and one is undecided.

What happens at the end of the two years?
Our hope is that churches will move from part-time to full time ministries at the end of the 2 year internship.  At the end of the two years, we hope that students complete a degree, move into full time youth ministry where they served, or move into full time ministry at another church.

When was CYMT founded? 2006
The Inaugural Class graduated in 2008.

Where have students come from?
Students in our first 3 classes have come from 14 states and 2 countries.
Alabama(2), Indiana(1), Kentucky(2), Louisanna (1), Michigan(3), Minnesota (1), Mississippi (1), New Mexico(1), North Carolina(1), Oklahoma (2), Virginia(2), Tennessee(8), Texas(2), West Virginia (1), and Northern Ireland(1).

What denominational backgrounds have CYMT students come from?
The denominations our students have come from are Baptist, Church of God, Cumberland Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal, Lutheran, Nazarene, Non-Denominational, Presbyterian (USA), and United Methodist.

What denominations have partner churches represented?
The denominations of churches that have partnered with CYMT thus far are Cumberland Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian (USA), and United Methodist.

How many students have completed the Certificate in Youth Ministry?12

How many students are currently enrolled in the Certificate in Youth Ministry Program? 22

What is the average age of the CYMT students? 24.5

Percentage of Male Students – 50%
Percentage of Female Students – 50%