A Formative Journey with New Youth Ministry Leaders
First Things in Youth Ministry is a six-session online formation program for anyone new to youth ministry (YM). Whether volunteer or paid, this training provides direction for the first six months of taking on a new leadership role. Think of it as Basic Training in Comprehensive Youth Ministry.
This program was developed as part of the 5-year strategy for NFCYM, with the over-arching goal to Empower 15,000 Ministers to Advocate for Young People to be an Integral Voice within their Local Communities. First Things in Youth Ministry aligns under focus area one: Embrace the Essential Elements of Comprehensive Youth Ministry.
Lo primero en el ministerio con jóvenes adolescentes es un programa de formación en línea de seis sesiones para cualquier persona nueva en el ministerio con jóvenes adolescentes. Ya sea voluntaria o remunerada, esta capacitación brinda orientación durante los primeros seis meses después de asumir un nuevo rol de liderazgo. Considérelo como una capacitación básica en un ministerio integral con jóvenes adolescentes.
First Things in Youth Ministry uses a cohort model to not only provide participants with the foundational information for leading a youth ministry program, but with a community of support as well.
National cohort groups will begin every fall, winter, and spring. Upon completion, participants will have received between 40-45 hours of practical and ministerial formation. See session summary below for more information on training topics.
An individual can register for the First Things in Youth Ministry program directly through the link below. Individual registrants will be placed in a cohort of 8–12 other new youth ministry leaders, assigned by geographic location.
Registration for each cohort closes on the date listed. Beginning on that date, cohort communication will begin, and participants will receive information from their cohort coach regarding next steps.
The cohort coach will send an orientation email introducing themselves, reviewing the program structure and expectations, and helping the cohort begin discerning together the days and times that work best for future cohort sessions. The cohort determines its meeting schedule collaboratively, with sessions typically occurring every 2–3 weeks throughout the program.
NFCYM membership includes:
Season | Registration Closes |
|---|---|
Summer ’26 | June 1, 2026 |
Fall ’26 | October 1, 2026 |
Winter ’27 | February 1, 2027 |
Los grupos (cohortes) nacionales inician tres veces al año: verano, otoño, y invierno. Para unirse a la cohorte en español, haga clic en el botón a continuación.
A diocese can sponsor its own cohort (or multiple ones) and provide its own coach or contract a national coach. The cost is $50/participant for Member Dioceses and $100/participant for Non-Member Dioceses (licensing fees are waived for member dioceses). Dioceses wishing to contract a National Coach can do so for an additional fee of $800/cohort.
To inquire about licensing First Things for your diocese, please contact Molly Schorr, Membership Coordinator, at mollys@nfcym.org.
Please note that NFCYM will need a signed license and completed cohort roster at least two weeks before your desired start date.
These resources are provided specifically to assist Diocesan leaders in promoting the First Things in Youth Ministry training program to parishes, pastoral leaders and new hires within your diocese as well as providing an overview of the options in creating Diocesan cohorts led by diocesan leaders or others within your diocese. For more information, contact Molly Schorr, Membership Coordinator, at mollys@nfcym.org.
Download the flyer and populate the second (back) page with your specific contact information to promote a local cohort.
The following copy can be copied and pasted into an email to share with pastoral leaders and new hires in your diocese to invite them to participate in a local First Things in Youth Ministry cohort. We suggest downloading and customizing the flyer and attaching it to your email.
Download the following template to create a class list.
A diocese can sponsor its own cohort (or multiple ones) for new youth ministers in their area. They also have the opportunity to designate their own coach.
What a wonderful opportunity for those new to youth ministry. It is always overwhelming to decide where to begin and First Things provides the how-tos right when you need them most.
In this spirit of hope, we invite you to join us in commemorating the significant milestone of 43 years of our organization’s history and service. Whether it’s $4, $43, or even $300, every gift makes a difference!
Join the celebration and help continue inspiring the next generation of Catholic leaders.
Pastoral Juvenil Hispana Coordinator,
Diocese of Austin
Diocesan Member
"NFCYM has accompanied me in reaching out to like minded professionals to better provide service (ministry) to adolescents. NFCYM has allowed me to network and grow professionally.
'Youth as Protagonists' has been essential to Pastoral Juvenil Hispana in the Diocese of Austin."
Youth Minister, St. Christopher Church
Associate Member
"The various resources have helped me keep our program exciting and vibrant. NFCYM has provided me with shared information via webinars, workshops, conferences, outreach, and opportunities that are very informative to help make my ministry successful.
NFCYM is an open forum for me to seek material, guidance and support in keeping the youth ministry program successful."
