The Together Church model is the most formal model of relationship.  Most common in this model, the local congregation hires a Young Life trained person who spends their time as both the church’s youth minister AND in outreach ministry to the community through Young Life. For the sake of efficiency, we will call this person the Youth Ministry Director (YMD). It is essential that the congregation understand that they are hiring someone not only to care for their own youth, but to be involved in outreach ministry as well. Quite often, the young people reached through the outreach portion of the collaboration have no church home. It is natural for these young people to be led into the nurturing fellowship of the congregation sponsoring the relationship. The venue for the outreach portion of the job is decided by the YMD along with the church and YL leadership.  

As a full-time employee of the church, the YMD is directly accountable to the pastor and appropriate governing bodies of the congregation. The supervision function rests exclusively with the congregation. The YMD is responsible to Young Life only in a voluntary capacity both in training and as the leader of a team or area leadership. Young Life provides training and support seminars twice a month for the purpose of fellowship, prayer, spiritual growth, resource sharing and networking. These sessions with peers in youth ministry are very important for the personal and professional growth of the YMD. Young Life asks the congregation to contribute between $3,000 to  $6,000 per year ($250 to 500/month) for the services that include placement (if needed), training and support seminars, use of Young life properties and other conferences and training events during the year.

CHURCH COMMITMENTS

Young Life expects the church to agree to the following commitments before entering into this relationship: 

1. That all young people are welcome to the youth program of the church regardless of race or socio-economic background.

2. That both men and women are equally encouraged to use their gifts as God calls them into ministry.

3. The church will provide Young Life with self-study information to help assess needs and place staff.

4. A salary and benefits package that provides a living wage.

5. A minimum of a three-year working relationship with the YMD staff member 

6. Provide members to serve on the local YL committee/ministry support team as needed. 

7. Make a financial commitment of $250.00 to  $500.00/month to the local or regional YL chapter to support the costs of this program (see below)

YOUNG LIFE COMMITMENTS

Young Life will agree to the following commitments before entering into this relationship: 

1. That all young people are welcome to participate in the program of Young Life. 

2. That both men and women are equally encouraged to use their gifts as God calls them into ministry.

3. That we will provide education and orientation materials for the church leadership to fully understand the ministry context and resources available 

4. Provide the training and support resources listed below, along with a senior member of YL staff to serve as coordinator 

5. A minimum of a three-year working relationship with the YMD staff member/church collaboration

6. Regular communication and updates to church leadership about the ongoing relationship 

TRAINING & SUPPORT

The YMD will need additional training and support to make this a successful enterprise. Therefore, Young Life provides training and support meetings twice a month to assist the YMD. The YMD and other YL staff come together and share successes and failures, look into new ideas and ministry structures, collectively investigate trends in adolescent culture, grow in their understanding of the gospel, and pray for one another. Some of the supportive opportunities for YMD include:

• Monthly YL staff meetings for training & encouragement

• Leadership 1 & 2 (YL practical training) if desired, 2x a month

• YL Volunteer training curriculum

• Access to YL camps and the systems/training that support them

• Support in connecting with local schools 

• Volunteer & staff retreats as needed 

In addition, Young Life maintains formal partnerships with several seminaries, including Western Theological Seminary, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Field education classes are available to church partners which are accredited by these seminaries. Also, short-term academic classes are offered by these seminaries. YMDs are offered a tuition reduction. 

Here is a link to the Young Life field staff training curriculum that the YMD is welcome to take advantage of: Link to Field Staff Training doc 

Coordinators: 

Mark Statema- Senior Area Developer- 28 years on YL staff

Niccole Ryan- Associate Regional Director- 20 years on YL staff

Carly Voge- Associate Regional Director- 9 years on YL staff