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Children, Youth, and Family Ministry

Equip yourself with the theological foundations and practical skills to lead meaningful ministry.

Certificate Overview

Who is walking alongside the children and youth in your congregation?

Our lay leaders, volunteers, and ministry leaders—often without formal training—are doing some of the most important faith-forming work in the church today. We designed this certificate specifically for them.

The Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Certificate brings together four foundational courses and one elective to give you the theological grounding, relational skills, and practical tools you need to lead with confidence and purpose. You will explore how faith forms in young people across developmental stages, how family systems shape behavior and community, how to recruit and equip lay leaders, and how to communicate and lead groups effectively.

Certificate Courses

Required courses:
Leading Faith Formation in Children and Youth
Recruiting, Equipping, and Empowering Church Leaders
Family Systems: Tools for Ministry
Communication Skills for Leading Groups
Choose one of the following:
Building Faith Together: A Guide for Parents and Grandparents
Workshop Recording: Social Media Smarts with Angela Gorrell

Wondering if this is right for you?

A Faith+Lead Certificate in Children, Youth, and Family prepares you to honor both the theological weight of this calling and the real-world challenges of serving the next generation in the church.

How the Process Works

  • Take five essential courses and workshops in leadership
  • Practice what you learn in your context
  • Track the time spent on each course or workshop
  • Report on the learning in each of your courses or workshops
  • Create a final reflection project integrating your learning

Your Tools For Success

  • A secure digital platform for your work
  • Fast, friendly technical support

Earning Your Certificate

Upon completion, you will receive a downloadable certificate and a record of your learning journey that you can share with your church, denominational leadership, or anyone who requires proof of your accomplishment.

Who is this for?

For church volunteers and lay leaders serving in children's, youth, or family ministry.
Learn the fundamentals and refine your knowledge, especially if you are newer to the role or don’t have formal training.

For pastors and clergy who want to build a stronger lay leadership culture around family ministry.
Help guide parents, grandparents, and volunteers who are invested in the faith formation of the young people in their lives and congregation.

A diverse group of people wearing blue shirts stands in a circle outdoors, raising their hands in unity under the sunlight.

Ready to Enroll?

Choose the option that gives you the most value and start learning today.

Non-Member Pricing

$299

One-time purchase

  • Access to all course materials and workshops for the Faith+Lead Certificate
  • Includes free 12-month Faith+Lead membership with certificate enrollment
Enroll now

Popular

Member Pricing

$75*

*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.99 per month

  • Easy access to all course materials and workshops for the Faith+Lead Certificate
Enroll now

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need formal ministry training to enroll in this certificate?

Not at all. This certificate is designed specifically for lay leaders and volunteers who are stepping into ministry with children, youth, and families—with or without formal theological training. The courses are accessible, conversational, and practically grounded.

Can I take individual courses without enrolling in the full certificate?

Yes. Each course in the certificate is available for individual purchase. The certificate provides a structured pathway and a credential upon completion, but individual courses can be taken on their own.

What is the know/be/do framework?

All Faith+Lead Academy courses are organized around three dimensions of learning: Know (theoretical knowledge), Be (personal and spiritual development), and Do (practical skills). Each module includes informational content, spiritual practices, and application activities.

The Faith+Lead Certificate is self-paced, allowing you to integrate the learning into your ministry context while maintaining your current responsibilities. Most participants complete the program within 6-12 months.
All of our certificate programs are fully online and flexible, so you can take them from any time zone, anywhere in the world.

Yes, we offer special rates for regional church bodies and congregations looking to train multiple leaders. Contact us for details at support@faithlead.org.

If you’re serving in an ELCA context, we’ve carefully designed this certificate to fulfill specific contextual ministry competencies. Download our friendly guide to see exactly how each course connects to ELCA requirements.

No problem! We’ll credit what you’ve already completed. Simply fill in this form when you’re ready to enroll, and we’ll provide a discount code for courses you’ve already taken.

Don’t see your question addressed?

Email us at support@faithlead.org for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!