 The International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry is a not-for-profit global organisation. Our aim is to support and develop the professionalisation of youth ministry around the world. In particular, we focus on furthering the academic study and research of youth and youth ministry, the formal teaching and training of youth ministry (at universities, seminaries, denominations, parachurch organisations, local ministries, or wherever else it may occur), and all those involved in career youth ministry and in the growth and development of youth ministry as a recognised profession. Our goal is to raise the profile of youth ministry as a calling, career and/or professional enterprise, and to encourage the reflection on youth ministry and academic discipline that will support youth ministry at this level.
The activities of the Association include:
- To provide an international network of interaction, information and resources.
- To publish an academic journal (two editions per year of The Journal of Youth and Theology).
- To raise the standard and awareness of youth ministry as a professional and academic discipline.
- Promoting inter-disciplinary research into youth ministry.
- Organising conferences on the study of youth ministry (an international conference is held in Oxford, England every second January.
- National conferences are organised by members in participating countries).
- A closed email discussion list.
- Raising funds to sponsor those who may not be able to afford to participate in the activities of the Association.
The Association is governed by a constitution, and its affairs run by an executive committee that has a two year term, elected by members at each international conference.
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Presenting the Work of the IASYM |
Bert Roebben offers insight into the history, work, and future vision of the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (IASYM) in a paper entitled, Youth, Culture and Theology in Plural: Presenting the Work of the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry. This paper is available for download in both English and French.
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Executive Committee & Academic Board |
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 Professor Dr Bert Roebben (Chair) is Professor of Religious Education at Faculty of Humanities and Theology of Dortmund University (Germany). Bert’s teaching and research focus is on the religious educational and didactical dimensions of Catholic theology.
 Rev Andrew Zirschky (Administrator) is Academic Director at the Center for Youth Ministry Training, an instructor at Memphis Theological Seminary, and a doctoral fellow in practical theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is ordained in the Church of the Nazarene.
 Dr Nick Shepherd (Editor, Journal of Youth and Theology) is a freelance researcher,
writer and trainer in youth ministry and mission and is in the latter stages of his PhD
at King’s College, London, UK.
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Read more...
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What Makes Us SpecialWe are completely ecumenical. We are fully international. There are many organisations around the world who focus on "how to" do youth ministry. But these "how to's" do not easily translate across cultural borders. Neither would they last long - there are not many youth culture "how's" that would last longer than one year. The IASYM focuses on the "what" and "why" of youth ministry.
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The Journal of Youth and Theology is a peer-reviewed academic journal. Click here to access the journal online.
Learn about the 2013 IASYM International Conference in Cambridge, UK, 3-6 January. Click for details.