Purpose
The Youthworker Movement connects and resources youthworkers in The United Methodist Church USA and other Wesleyan denominations. This is a membership organization of adults who work in youth ministry in any capacity.
 
Guiding Principle
The key to extending the Christian message and life to the youth of today and tomorrow is the preparation and support of adults who work with youth in our churches. The primary resource for effective youth ministry is found in relationships among Christian Disciples who work with youth. 
More than any program, curriculum or book, it is the verbal sharing of faith and exchanging of ideas that drives youthworkers to reach out in youth ministry. They can inspire and motivate each other toward higher excellence. Also, it is in the relationship with other youth workers that one finds the encouragement to be sustained during the tough times that inevitably go with the job.
The YouthWorker Movement is a peer-to-peer organization of youthworkers that focuses the membership’s energies on supporting each other for growth in assets for effective ministry and improving congregational youth ministry in the United Methodist Church USA. While the emphasis is on United Methodists in the USA, membership is not limited denominationally nor nationally. Youthworkers in other denominations in the Wesleyan tradition around the world should find relevant resources and relationships in this membership.
 
Brief History
Thanks to the vision of the General Board of Discipleship (under the leadership of General Secretary Karen Greenwaldt) and the generosity of the Foundation for Evangelism (guided by executive director Paul Ervin), the YouthWorker Movement was created in 2005 to resource youthworkers in and through United Methodist churches. The vision was articulated by a Steering Committee of prominent youthworkers from across The United Methodist Church and leadership provided by executive director Rev. Terry Carty. An anonymous donor provided initial funding for operations and staff.
The YWM grew very quickly as the members were supported by a dynamic website that was designed by the Foundation’s Evangelism Network and by gatherings at major youth ministry training events. Members were encouraged to suggest the features they needed from YWM and many of the suggestions were immediately implemented online. This has become the model for the interactive organization as the members continue to “design” the features of the website and of the organization in general by their recommendations and requests.
In the late 2006 the YWM Steering Committee recommended that YWM become a freestanding organization governed by a board of directors made up of youthworkers. The General Board of Discipleship and the Foundation for Evangelism agreed to this shift and a 501(c)(3) corporation was formed. YWM continues to relate closely to the General Board of Discipleship. Primary funding is from the Foundation for Evangelism as the YWM board begins fund development efforts.

YWM AT A GLANCE
Active Membership (Over 3,500 youthworkers in 4 years)

• Free membership; supported primarily by website and gatherings at established youthworker events (Youth Specialties, PSYM, Group, Annual Conferences)
• Sponsor member and prospect gatherings at established youthworker gatherings (Youth Specialties, Perkins School of YM, Simply Youth/Group, etc.)
• Focus on youthworkers in least served congregations (ethnic/cultural marginalized, rural, urban, small membership)

Covenant Membership (Launched January 2008 to enthusiastic response)

• Paid membership $75/year; personal support for those who are called to long-term youth ministry 
• Covenant of Membership was written by members.
• Benefits include subscriptions to Group, The Methodist Reporter, Journal of Student Ministries, and other resources provided by Partners in Ministry.
• Professional recognition.
• Consultations for development of concepts, publications, events.
• Assistance with steps to certification and/or ordination
• Seminars for personal ministry development (writing, songwriting, public speaking, teaching, consultation, etc)
• YWM Job Matching: members post resume’, churches post job announcements
• Mentor Groups: training leaders, website has selection tool
• Annual “Roundtable” meeting of members

UMC Conference Communities (More than 15 conferences are organizing to qualify)

• Conferences commit to create youthworker meetings regularly and support training
• Existing South Carolina and West Michigan FAYM Chapters have become YWM Conf Communities
• Other conferences at various points in the process of establishing YWM communities: Virginia, Wisconsin, North Georgia, Illinois Great Rivers, South Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Texas, Arkansas, East Ohio, Iowa, Holston, Missouri, Pacific Northwest, Tennessee, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Central Texas, Rocky Mountain, West Ohio, Southwest Texas, Western North Carolina.
• Support conferences with web pages, member roster, networking leaders, sharing of Conference Community successful models
• Certificate to be displayed at Conference Office
• Conference Youth Staff (or Coordinator) Summit

Training Systems

• 4 Conferences are participating in YouthWorker Essentials training.
• 2 Conferences have completed YouthWorker Institute Level 2.
• Continue to participate in networking with conferences in the YMI/Academy system.
• Cooperative partnership with Center for Wesleyan Renewal for training system.
• Have trained online instructors for system of online youth ministry seminars.
• Continue to build youthworker training resources on website.