I remember Mike Yaconelli once speaking at the Denver Seminary annual convocation ceremony. I’d been a professor for only four years after 15 spent in youth ministry leadership; and for the first few years I felt like I and my area of study didn’t really belong in the halls of the Christian academy. 

Inviting Mike to Denver Seminary was the school’s way of affirming that yes, youth ministry training belongs in the seminary. He even looked the part of the rebellious youth ministry guy, with his tennis shoes poking out from his bachelor’s academic garb (what he called his “G.E.D. robe”). He was vintage Yaconelli, for as the 20th century youth ministry prophet boldly proclaimed that youth ministry is part of the core mission of the Body of Christ—not a sidelight of the church—the academicians took notice. I was never more proud of Mike, and I was grateful to see how the church leadership allowed him to lead them.

That was 10 years ago, and since then youth ministry has clearly staked its claim on the academic landscape of ministry preparation. From the early pioneering schools such as Huntington and Eastern Colleges to Denver and Fuller Seminaries, youth ministry programs are now standard fare in most Christian colleges and seminaries—not only in the United States but in many parts of the world. Contrary to what I occasionally still hear from a few ill-informed academic colleagues across the country, this movement isn’t simply a marketing necessity dictated by search committees. The church has come to realize that children and youth are legitimate members of the church and that the nurture and assimilation of them into the larger congregation are among the most important future priorities for all of us. This takes academic training.

For the next 20 years, however, it’s essential that we continue to be diligent and move with integrity and focus. If we stay on track, we will see more doctorate-level programs (D.Min. and Ph.D.) devoted to youth and their families. We also will see more schools working with denominations and organizations to bring together the best of our theology and research with the evolving practice of ministry, but there are still far too many church and academic leaders who don’t believe we’re serious about youth ministry as a field.

Some have identified a few educational trends that we need to watch. Two more common examples are college and seminary youth ministry students having a cavalier, almost insulting view of other programs; and youth ministry veterans taking academic shortcuts to get quick or non-accredited degrees so they can teach or otherwise advertise their expertise. As we move forward in youth ministry, we need to value our educational opportunities, raise the standards for our profession and continue our commitment to growth as a discipline of church ministry.