Who is it for?
The Crosslands Children’s and Youth Ministry (CYM) track is for those who specialise in ministry amongst families, children and youth, usually in the local church, who may not yet have had any formal theological training. It has been developed by the Crosslands faculty in partnership with experienced CYM practitioners to provide rounded, in-depth biblical training and theological formation to those whose ministry has a specialist CYM or families work focus, equipping them for sustained, healthy ministry and leadership.
What does the CYM specialist track cover?
The Children’s and Youth ministry track will follow a similar pattern of modules as that of the main Crosslands Seminary programme. However for every module there will be reading, assignment choices, and tutorials that have been specifically designed for those involved in working with Children and Young People. CYM students will also have two unique modules focused on practical aspects of CYM, and will be tutored through the programme by CYM specialists.
The course runs as a rolling programme for the first three years (ie all students study the same modules in a given year for the first three years), with students who opt for MA accreditation completing a 4th year at the end of the programme to complete their accreditation. The following table shows the full curriculum:
| Year A (2023 – 24) |
Year B (2024 – 25) |
Year C (2025 – 26) |
Final Year (Year D) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biblical | New Testament Introduction* | Old Testament Introduction* | Introduction to Biblical Theology* | Advanced Biblical Studies |
| Pastoral | Pastoral Ministry** | Dynamics of Spiritual Growth* | Bible Exposition* | Biblical Counselling (SEBTS) |
| Doctrine | God, Humanity & Christ* | Salvation, the Church & Eschatology* | Doctrine in Historical Perspective* | Pastoral Care for CYM*** |
| Mission | Evangelism & Apologetics** | Culture & Context** | Word Ministry for Children’s and Youth Work*** | Great Commission Studies (SEBTS) |
* Minor: CYM applications through reading, exercise and assignment options
** Significant: strong elements of CYM focus and application within the module
*** Bespoke: Module designed specifically for CYM students
How do tutor groups work?
Those students who want to follow the specialist CYM track would be allocated to a specialist tutor group which would be led by a tutor with deep experience and expertise in Children’s and Youth ministry. This, therefore, would not be necessarily geographically close to you. If this were problematic for any reason, there would be the option to participate in seminar days virtually.
In what other ways does Crosslands support my ministry specialism?
CYM students and tutors form a strong network, starting with your very first residential and continuing with both structured and informal interactions throughout the programme. By studying under the direction of specialist tutors and in community with others in similar ministry roles, you establish relationships that will support you through a lifetime of ministry: praying together, sharing ideas, inviting help and advice. The CYM cohort also interacts with and influences the wider student body, helping to give those training for other ministry roles an understanding of the unique and vital part that CYM can play in the life of the church.
I’m not sure I want to take the specialist CYM track. Can I pick and choose some of the elements?
To a limited extent, yes. Students who are not registered for this track will still get to see any specialist assignment options within the course material, and may choose these options for some modules if your tutor agrees to that. We can also help you to network with the CYM students informally, for example at residentials. However unless you are registered for the CYM variant you will not be able to take the two CYM elective modules (in years C and D), and you will not be studying under the supervision of a specialist tutor.