The 2025 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry
April 29 - May 2, 2025
2025 Theme: Celebrate!
About
What is the Forum on Youth Ministry?
The Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry is an annual gathering of people in the church, the academy, and the world who are committed to cultivating and caring for the Christian faith of young people. Designed around a theme that inspires the conversation and content each year, the Forum is a place where people of all demographic and denominational backgrounds come together to learn from and encourage one another. Less of a conference that teaches “how-to,” the Forum is a creative hub where people gather to ask “how come?”
Thirty years ago, a group of Christian leaders committed to ministry with young people imagined a future where theologians and ministry leaders were part of a dynamic learning community that formed thoughtful, just, and creative ministries with teenagers. The result of this collective dreaming became the Institute for Youth Ministry (IYM) at Princeton Theological Seminary, and since 1995, the IYM has helped shape the theory and practice of youth ministry around the world. The IYM is honored to invite you to join us for the 2025 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry, where we will celebrate the incredible milestone of 30 years of impact.
Alongside opportunities for celebration, the 2025 Forum will invite participants into deep reflection on the role that celebration plays in ministry with young people. In a time of great uncertainty and distrust, youth ministry can be a safe place that celebrates, affirms, and bears witness to the lived experiences of young people. As those formed by practices that celebrate God’s work in the world through Jesus Christ, Christians are well equipped to help young people know and celebrate that they belong to God – no matter what.
Offerings
Workshops
Full event participants will be assigned a workshop group (communicated at check-in) that will remain consistent throughout the Forum. Each workshop group will stay together in their assigned classroom as each of the three workshop leaders teaches their workshop in rotation. One-day passholders will not be pre-assigned to a workshop and are free to join whichever group they’d like on their participation day.
“Celebration as Ritual,” led by Rev. Dr. Drew Dyson.
At the IYM, we believe that young people matter to God, and we know that God matters to many young people. In light of this, how might youth ministry be a site of celebration, affirmation, and belonging? In this workshop, Drew Dyson will draw from his decades of experience as a minister and community leader to explore how sacred moments and rites of passage can transform young people – and all people – as they move throughout the life cycle. By creatively [re]interpreting and [re]imagining Christian ritual today, youth ministry leaders have the opportunity to bear witness to the truth in young people’s lives in a time when truth is invaluable.
“Celebration as Activism,” led by Rev. Dr. Traci Blackmon.
At the IYM, we celebrate the prophetic vision and voice of young people, who experience the world with fresh perspectives that help us know God in new ways. As we heed their calls for justice and peace, how might youth ministry cultivate communities of resistance to oppression and violence? In this workshop, Traci Blackmon will draw upon her experience as a minister and activist to help youth ministry leaders embody their responsibilities to “pray with their feet” in acts of faith and solidarity with young people. Embracing this ethic, youth ministry leaders have the opportunity to celebrate the passion of young people who understand that, even on the night he was betrayed and arrested, Jesus threw a dinner party.
“Celebration as Activism,” led by Rev. Dr. Darlene Hutto.
At the IYM, we have long known that games and parties in youth ministries do far more than pass the time in an entertaining way. Fun in youth ministry can be transformative, leading to lasting relationships grounded in joy and faith in Christ. In this workshop, Darlene Hutto will draw upon her experience as a designer and facilitator of sacred encounters to help youth ministry leaders explore spiritual practices for Christian discipleship. While accompanying young people on their journeys of self-discovery and vocational discernment, youth ministry leaders have the opportunity to practice celebration as a formative spiritual discipline with their young people.
Small Groups
The Forum is designed to cultivate relationships among all people who attend – leaders, participants, students, and staff. Before the conference even begins, the IYM works behind the scenes to cultivate connection among event leaders and to discern how to build bridges between communities and ideas. Small groups at the Forum are one of the ways the IYM has successfully fostered friendships and strengthened networks in the past, and we are excited to offer this opportunity once again in 2025.
Small groups will be introduced during the Forum Opening Gathering, and small group sessions will be held during lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
The 2025 Princeton Lectures on Youth, Church, and Culture
Since the IYM’s first Forum in 1996, the Forum has featured this distinguished lecture series, designed to foster original scholarship pertaining to youth ministry in the church and world.
Young people are growing up in a culture in desperate need of peacemakers.
Some young people are hearing a prophetic call and are eager to be equipped for the peacemaking work ahead. Some are in the direct path of violence and need courageous leaders to make peace urgently. Some are being saturated by ideas that may contort Jesus’ words into the shape of violence itself.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
With these words, Jesus declared to all who gathered to hear his Sermon on the Mount that peacemakers bear the family resemblance that marks them as God’s own. They are not passive witnesses who are content with a mere absence of conflict. They are actively making peace like they’ve learned from their Divine Parent, engaging in the kind of work that honors the dignity and flourishing of God’s whole creation.
The Online Forum on Youth Ministry is a one-day gathering where Christian leaders, parents, teachers, coaches, volunteers, and youth workers will explore Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:9. Join us for a day of worship, workshops, lectures, and discussions about peacemaking in our world!
Leadership
Lecturer
Workshop Leader for “Celebration as Ritual”
Workshop Leader for “Celebration as Discipline”
Small Group Leader
Workshop Leader for “Celebration as Activism”
Small Group Leader
Assistant Director of the IYM
Director of the Farminary
Event Schedule
3-5pm: Early Check-in, Erdman Center
8:30-10am: Event Check-in
- Location: Mackay Campus Center, Lobby
- Refreshments: Coffee & Tea Available
10-10:45am: Opening Gathering, Mackay Campus Center
- Featuring Small Group Leaders: Jeff Grant, Shae Garrett-Doege, Kayli Freeman, Michaela Putnam-Kwon, & Aaron Rogers
11am-12pm: Princeton Lecture on Youth, Church, and Culture; Stuart Hall
- Presented by Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean
12-1:30pm: Lunch & Small Groups; Mackay Campus Center
2-3:30pm: Workshops; Stuart Hall
- Presented by Traci Blackmon, Drew Dyson, and Darlene Hutto
4-5pm: Happy Hour; Erdman Center
- Refreshments: Alcohol-Free Drinks & Snacks
5-7pm: Dinner Break (On Your Own)
7-7:45pm: Evening Prayer; Seminary Chapel
9-9:30am: Morning Prayer; Seminary Chapel
9:30-10am: Coffee Break
10-11:30am: Workshops; Stuart Hall
- Presented by Traci Blackmon, Drew Dyson, & Darlene Hutto
11:45am-1:15pm: Lunch & Small Groups; Mackay Campus Center
1:30pm: Shuttle Bus Departs for Farminary; Erdman Center Parking Lot
2-5pm: A Celebration at the Farminary
- 4-5pm Happy Hour at the Farminary
5pm: Shuttle Bus Departs for PTS Campus
5-7pm: Dinner Break (On Your Own)
7-7:45pm: Evening Prayer; Seminary Chapel
9-9:30am: Morning Prayer
- Location: Seminary Chapel
10-11am: Princeton Lecture on Youth, Church, and Culture; Stuart Hall
11:30am-1pm: Lunch & Small Groups; Mackay Campus Center
1-2:30pm: Workshops; Stuart Hall
- Presented by Traci Blackmon, Drew Dyson, & Darlene Hutto
3-4pm: Happy Hour; Erdman Center
5-7pm: IYM Celebration Banquet; Mackay Campus Center
- Please note: Admission not included for Thursday one-day pass holders. Additional ticket may be purchased to attend.
7-7:45pm: Evening Prayer; Seminary Chapel
9:00-10:30am: Youth Ministry: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, Where We’re Going; Stuart Hall
10:30-11am: Coffee Break
- Checkout of Erdman Center by 11am.
11-12pm: Closing Worship; Seminary Chapel
Event Location
The Forum on Youth Ministry is held on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary in the beautiful and historic town of Princeton, New Jersey. Roughly equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia (and their associated airports), the town is home to cultural institutions like Princeton University, the Albert Einstein House, the Institute for Advanced Study, and the Princeton Battlefield. Participants at the Forum enjoy the leafy dining and retail spots along Nassau Street and Palmer Square, as well as scenic walks through the Seminary and University campuses.
Princeton Theological Seminary is located at 64 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Parking is available for Forum participants behind the Theodore Sedgwick Wright Library at 25 Library Place. Accessible parking spaces are situated along the northeast exterior wall of the library. Alternatively, participants who need accessible parking may park in the lot adjacent to the Mackay Campus Center off the College Road entrance to the Seminary campus. Parking passes will be emailed to participants who indicate their need for one in their event registration and will also be available at Forum check-in.
Located on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary at 20 Library Place, the Erdman Center has 55 simple guest rooms, priced from $75-$135/night, including six ADA-complaint rooms with various accessibility features. (Note: If booking an accessible room, please call to confirm your room requirements to ensure the best room assignment to suit your needs.) A locked room to store your luggage is available at your convenience. Please call 609-497-7990 to reserve your room, and mention the Forum on Youth Ministry to be included in our reserved participant block.
Located only five miles from campus at 1300 Lennox Drive, Lawrence Township 08648, the Hilton Garden Inn [custom link] is our preferred off-campus hotel for Forum participants. Check-in is at 3:00 pm, and check-out is at 11:00 am. The on-site restaurant includes breakfast service, and the facilities include an indoor pool, fitness center, and free parking. Use this link to reserve your room in the discounted Forum lodging block, or call 609-895-9200 and use Group Code PSYFOR. Please note: You are responsible for your transportation to/from PTS campus. Discounted group rate ends March 28, 2025.
Please note that lodging is not included in your Forum registration fee. Please plan to make your own lodging arrangements. Feel free to contact the IYM if we can offer any assistance: 609-497-7914, iym@ptsem.edu.
We Honor the Land
Princeton Theological Seminary sits on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Lenape people on territory called Lenapehoking. The Lenni-Lenape were the people indigenous to this land, and we honor them as caretakers of these lands and waters. The IYM acknowledges our responsibility to work toward meaningful relationship with the Lenape people past, present, and future.
Schedule
Saturday, October 5; 12-5pm ET (Please be sure to calculate your time zone!)
Welcome & Worship | |
Lecture & Discussion, Part 1 | |
Break | |
1:45-2:30 p.m. | Choice of Workshop #1 |
2:30-3:15 p.m. | Choice of Workshop #2 |
3:15-3:30 p.m. | Break |
3:30-4:30 p.m. | Lecture & Discussion, Part 2 |
4:30-5:00 p.m. | Closing & Blessing |
Please note that the online event platform will automatically record all sessions. All participants will have access to every workshop and lecture for the 60 days following the event. You are still encouraged to register if you cannot attend synchronously, as you will still have full access to the recorded material.
Tickets
Join us for 3.5 days of celebration, workshops, small groups, and lectures. Tickets are available for full event attendees, as well as for Tuesday or Thursday one-day passes. Full event tickets include admission to the IYM 30th Anniversary Banquet on Thursday, May 1. One-day passholders may purchase additional admission ticket for banquet admission.
Attend the Forum in Full:
- Super Early Bird Registration – Valid through August 1, 2024
$299 - Early Bird Registration – Valid through January 17, 2025
$349 - Standard Registration – Valid January 18-April 25, 2025
$399
One Day Pass – Tuesday (4/29) or Thursday (5/1)
$99
A Note on Accessibility: The IYM strives to create an inclusive space that is hospitable to people of all health needs, neurotypes, and physical and mental abilities. While this is always our goal, we are aware of limitations in our infrastructure and personnel that may contribute to us being unable to meet this goal. If you have any concerns or would like to speak with someone regarding accessibility or needs, please contact us via phone or email so that we can discuss how to best welcome you to the Online Forum.
FAQs
spacer
The IYM strives to make our events and resources as accessible and affordable as possible, but we are keenly aware that some participants may still need financial assistance. We regret that we do not yet have a scholarship fund available for participants in the Online Forum. However, if you are a degree graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary or if you are a CPE or Field Education Supervisor through PTS, you are eligible to receive a 15% discount on standard rate continuing education program fees. For the 2024 Online Forum, this applies to the individual registration of $79 only. Contact iym@ptsem.edu for details
We understand that life is unpredictable, and sometimes participants must cancel their plans to participate in an event. Therefore, our policy states that you can cancel your event registration up to one week (seven calendar days) prior to the Online Forum start date, and your fee will be refunded, minus a required $15 processing fee. Due to expenses already incurred after this date, we cannot offer any refunds for cancellations made within one week (six or fewer calendar days) of an event start date.
The Online Forum is a self-funded event, which means that the income from participant fees is allocated to cover event expenses, rather than a grant or PTS’s general operating fund. Currently, 35% of the income from participant fees is allocated toward the speaking fees and expenses incurred for our external leaders. An additional 25% of the income funds our promotional efforts. Another 20% of the income funds operational costs, including the online event platform and PTS staff. The final 20% generates revenue, which ultimately allows the IYM to continue offering resources, programs, and events for our audience.
Absolutely! We welcome people from all over the world to participate in the event. Those who want to join synchronously are welcome to do so by calculating time differences and attending from anywhere. Those who want to participate but are unable to do so synchronously can still register and enjoy access after the event to all content, including lectures and workshops.
The IYM uses Airmeet, an online platform that allows us to host an immersive event experience with lectures, workshops, 1-1 networking opportunities, automatic session recordings and replays, and exhibit booths. We take full advantage of the platform’s features to create a dynamic learning experience for our participants. In the week before the Online Forum, we will provide a helpful event guide, which will include a brief orientation to the platform and some notes for troubleshooting technical difficulties.