86: Leading a Youth Ministry While in Seminary (Nick Hartman)

It can be difficult to find a healthy rhythm when serving in full-time youth ministry while also in seminary. This can lead some people to never pursue formal training, and it can lead others to burn out. Today’s conversation highlights the benefit of seminary training while providing some practical counsel about navigating it well.  What’s the benefit of a seminary education for men and women who are serving in youth ministry?  What do you think youth workers should be looking for in a seminary program?  Some old-timers still feel like residential seminary is the only way to get a “good” seminary education. Can you share from your experience about distance education?  How do you guard against shortchanging your ministry due to the demands of classwork? How can youth workers discern how heavy of a course load to take and how to use their time and develop good study habits? What are some surprising ways that seminary strengthened your ministry to youth?  Nick Hartman is the Associate Pastor of Students and Discipleship at Mt Carmel Baptist Church in Cross Plains, TN. He’s a longtime writer at YPT and you can read on other YM sites too.  Follow Nick on Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book presents ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch YPT's vision for theologically rich and pastorally wise youth ministry.