2015 Youth Ministry Coaching Cohorts

The Youth Cartel

(Originally posted at Marko's Blog ... edited a wee bit for my site) ymcp.nashville

2014 has been a banner year for the Youth Ministry Coaching Program, with 6 full cohorts operating in Nashville, Orange County, CA (Women in YM), South Carolina (UMC), North Carolina (UMC), Pittsburgh (PCUSA), and the new SoCal Presby cohort (PCUSA) kicking off in Pasadena, CA in a couple weeks. But we’re actively working to open up cohorts (a cohort is a word used for “learning group,” in this case, is 10 youth workers) for 2015.

YMCP, in case you don’t know, is a whole-life personal and leadership development program for youth workers. You’ll find a safe group of peers who listen and speak into your life, as well as training and personal application from the lead coach. it’s full of variety and customization. Most cohorts meet six times, for two days each time, with online interaction and coaching phone calls in-between meetings. After the current cohorts wrap up, we’ll have more than 200 grads who unanimously say it was one of the most significant growth experiences they’ve ever been through. Learn more about YMCP, and download an overview document, here.

Here’s what we have open now for 2015, with a few extras that we’re considering…

San Diego cohort Location: San Diego (duh) Launch date: Hopefully January 2015 Coaches: Mark Oestreicher and April Diaz (two coaches for the price of one!) Approach: full ‘open’ cohort (anyone can be in it), with 6 meetings of 2 days each (every other month) Price: $3000 (We only have 2 or 3 spots still open in this cohort. Contact April Diaz at april@theyouthcartel.com)

North Carolina cohort Location: Charlotte area Launch date: January or February 2015 Coach: Mark Oestreicher (but with the possibility of April Diaz leading a 2nd cohort in the same location, pending interest) Approach: full cohort, with 6 meetings of 2 days each (every other month). Open ONLY to youth workers from churches in the Western NC Conference of the UMC. Price: $500 (the Conference graciously covers the rest of the cost) (This cohort is currently accepting applications. Contact Caroline Wood in the Conference office for details: cwood@wnccumc.org)

Women in Youth Ministry cohort Location: Orange County, CA, Asheville, NC, and online Launch date: Hopefully January 2015 Coach: April Diaz Approach: This is a hybrid cohort. First and last meetings will be 2 days in Orange County, CA. 3rd or 4th meeting will be attached to (and include) the Women in Youth Ministry Campference in Asheville, NC. 3 additional meetings (in between face-to-face meetings) will take place online. Price: $2250 (includes registration for the Women in Youth Ministry Campference!) (See more info here. We are currently accepting applications for this cohort. Contact April Diaz at april@theyouthcartel.com)

Middle School Ministry cohort Location: Orange County, CA Launch date: Hopefully February 2015 Coaches: Kurt Johnston and Katie Edwards from Saddleback Church (two coaches for the price of one!, plus Mark Oestreicher and April Diaz will lead sessions at some meetings) Approach: full ‘open’ cohort (anyone can be in it), with 6 meetings of 2 days each (every other month) Price: $3000 (We are currently accepting applications for this cohort. Contact Katie Edwards at katiee@saddleback.com, or April Diaz at april@theyouthcartel.com)

Canadian cohort Location: Calgary, Canada Launch date: First quarter of 2015 Coaches: Matt Wilks and Jason Frizzell (two coaches for the price of one!, plus Marko will attend 2 of the 6 meetings) Approach: full ‘open’ cohort (anyone can be in it), with 6 meetings of 2 days each (every other month) Price: $2250 (We are currently accepting applications for this cohort. Contact Jason at jasonfrizzell@yahoo.com)

In addition to all that awesomeness, we’re currently in conversations about a few more cohorts, including:

  • New England cohort, led by Jake Kircher and Mark Orr (with Marko and/or April also involved)
  • Large Church cohort, led by Marko and April (this cohort would be limited to participants on staff at church of 2500 or more in weekly attendance)
  • SC/Holston Conferences cohort, led by Marko (probably) (this cohort would only be open to youth workers in the South Carolina and Holston Conferences of the UMC)

If you have interest in any of these last three, please contact April Diaz (april@theyouthcartel.com).

So: who’s up for some growth in 2015?

womeninYMcohort

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April L. Diaz

April has been a visionary activist her entire life. She has made it her mission to lead high performing teams and develop leaders in the margins of society while caring for our bodies, mind, and spirit. Secretly, she’s a mix of a total girly girl and a tomboy, and is still crazy about her high school sweetheart, Brian. Together, they co-parent 3 fabulous kiddos and live in Orange County, CA.

Launching a Second Women in Youth Ministry Cohort

This month I am completing my first Women in Youth Ministry Cohort and it has been phenomenal. To say that I've enjoyed these 9 women, learned from them, been inspired by their growth, and challenged by their leadership is an understatement. I'm SO very grateful for God bringing these unique women together for the purpose of pressing into their calling and developing their gifts in new ways. I've seen utter breakthrough, transformation, and miracles in their lives. They've taken a deeper look into souls, their ministry, and their callings. Together we've asked tough questions, explored fearful topics, grieved each other's losses, and celebrated victories. It's been a dream come true. Those women below are an answer to prayer and I'm so grateful to see how they're flourishing in new ways because of their commitment to their transformation...

A couple women completing the cohort this month had this to say about their experience...

"The Women in Youth Ministry Cohort was exactly what I needed in this phase of my ministry journey. I had been looking for something like this for a long time and as soon as I hear about this cohort, I knew this was an answer to prayer. Being a part of this cohort for the last few months has been a breath of fresh air and such an encouragement to me in my personal life and ministry context. This is an opportunity I would recommend for any woman in a youth ministry role, especially to those who find themselves serving in an area where they aren’t many other females in ministry to connect with on a regular basis." - Jessica Charney, youth pastor in Northern California

"Being a woman in youth ministry comes with its own set of joys, challenges and learning curves; being a part of a coaching program through TYC helped provide a space where all of those unique elements could be discussed, where resources could be shared, and where I knew I would be welcomed and understood. Coaching sessions throughout the year allowed for asking the hardest and (sometimes) most ridiculous questions, knowing that an experienced and skilled mentor would be walking the vocational ministry journey alongside me. I especially appreciated the emphasis on leadership materials developed by women!" - Rebekah Strobel, youth pastor in Washington state

The Youth Cartel

The Youth Cartel

Here's a little more about The Youth Cartel's second Women in Youth Ministry cohort...

DESCRIPTION:

This whole-life coaching program is all about developing and equipping you as a woman in leadership. Being a woman in youth ministry is different. It demands unique skills and awareness as we approach the challenges and opportunities due to our gender. We will learn across a scope of subjects including theology, practical life realities, leading men, and issues defined by this group. Each time we meet is very intentional and structured to provide encouragement, challenge, and transformation. This cohort provides customized attention to your specific context and needs as a woman in youth ministry.

DETAILS:

We will journey together for about 6-months. The group chooses exact dates based on our schedules.

  • Two 2-day, face-to-face meetings in Orange County, CA
  • One face-to-face meeting at the Women in Youth Ministry Campference at Lake Junaluska, NC
  • Three online meetings for 3 hours each (via Google Hangout)
  • Participants get four 30-minute phone calls with April Diaz
  • Access to a secret Facebook group for ongoing support, connection, and interaction
  • We'll do a healthy amount of reading and cross-disciplinary learning, as well
  • Cost - $2250, including Campference registration (+ participant travel costs)
  • 8- 10 sharp women in leadership will be accepted

Some may look at the cost and discount their participation. I've come to believe, "where there's a will, there's a way." If this is something you'd benefit from, let's find a way! I've also participated in similar cohorts and paid a lot more. It's one of the best investments, in my opinion, you can make in your leadership. The learning you'll have from the other women and myself will be beyond a conference and these detailed bullet points! And you are worth theinvestment. Our churches, families, and students desperately NEED the voices of women pouring into them, making decisions, and engaging each other.

Interested? Questions? Ready to apply? Email me at april@theyouthcartel.com.

Comment /Source

April L. Diaz

April has been a visionary activist her entire life. She has made it her mission to lead high performing teams and develop leaders in the margins of society while caring for our bodies, mind, and spirit. Secretly, she’s a mix of a total girly girl and a tomboy, and is still crazy about her high school sweetheart, Brian. Together, they co-parent 3 fabulous kiddos and live in Orange County, CA.

A Big Announcement!

Introducing...an inaugural event for women in youth ministry

I've waited a long time for a gathering like this. So why not go ahead and lead one?

When The Youth Cartel hired me, launching a Women in Youth Ministry Campference was one of the deliverables we agreed upon. It was actually something the (Mark Oestreicher and Adam McLane) have wanted for a long time. And now we could actually do it (because, ya know, I'm a girl and they're not). Before I even came on board at TYC, Rachel Blom and Leneita Fix wanted to make this happen. Together, we made a team. And for the past few months, we've been secretly dreaming, praying, conspiring, and putting together the basic framework for the event.

This Campference - a mashup of the best of the camp and conference experiences - is for any type of woman in youth ministry. As we've leaked thoughts of this Campference to our friends and on social media, the response has been palpable excitement. A collective sigh of sorts has been released. Finally. We need it.

One of the best parts is that every single woman who we've asked to speak or participate in any way has said an enthusiastic, "YES!" You're going to love to line-up of women we already have to lead us.But what will make this Campference truly wonderful is the unique voice, presence, experience, and participation of every woman who comes. 

The Campference hasn't even happened yet, but this Women in Youth Ministry Campference is a dream come true for me ... and I know a lot of other women in our world. We're only guaranteed 100 spots, so get yourself and your wonder women registered early.

We'd LOVE for you to check it out HERE and share with every woman in youth ministry you know. I think it's going to be a remarkable time together! We hope to see you there!!

Comment

April L. Diaz

April has been a visionary activist her entire life. She has made it her mission to lead high performing teams and develop leaders in the margins of society while caring for our bodies, mind, and spirit. Secretly, she’s a mix of a total girly girl and a tomboy, and is still crazy about her high school sweetheart, Brian. Together, they co-parent 3 fabulous kiddos and live in Orange County, CA.