Simply fill in the on-line application form. We will look at your application and process it within a few days, and let you know whether your application was successful.

Q: Who can join the Association?

There are three types of membership available:
• Personal membership is open to individuals who can demonstrate an involvement in the study, research or teaching of youth ministry. This does mean that it is for academics and professors only. Practitioners are also very welcome, as long as they understand the intent of the IASYM. We are not a "how to" organisation. We aim to think about youth ministry, to conceptualise, to do research and to apply that research. We aim to support people who are developing youth ministers and leaders. This obviously applies to people working at colleges and seminaries, but may also be true of a local youth pastor or youth worker, who wants to move his/her thinking to the next level. We usually expect a full member to be qualified or currently studying towards a professional qualification in youth ministry or some related field (such as education, sociology, etc). If you are not a full-time youth ministry academic, teacher or researcher, please don't hesitate to apply for membership, giving full details of your involvement in some form of teaching, researching or study of youth ministry in your own area.
• Affiliate Membership is open to all academic institutions, especially those with a youth ministry or youth work department, or similar related field of study.
• Associate Membership is for those who have a desire to become full personal members, but do not yet qualify according to requirements set out above. Such individuals can obtain all the benefits of full membership as laid out below, except for the right to vote at member's meetings.

Q: I am not an academic or researcher.  I'm just a youth pastor in a local church.  Can I join?

Yes, depending on your reasons for joining.  The IASYM is not a "how to" Association, and our conferences are not primarily geared at practitioners.  Our focus is on those people who are thinking about youth ministry.  If you are a youth pastor, and would like to interact with some of the world's top thinkers about youth ministry, and be exposed to some high level, primary research, then you can join the IASYM.  We aim to reflect on the theological and practical aspects of children's, teen's, young adult's and family ministry, and to provide research and resources for those who teach, train, research and think about youth ministry around the world.

Q: What benefits do members get?

Our members all receive a copy of our Journal of Youth and Theology. This is an indexed, hard copy, academic journal that is published twice every year. They also have access to an email discussion forum for members only (with bulletin board archives).

During 2004, we will be launching the following benefits:

• A complete list of research projects by members, available on the website
• Table of Contents of all youth ministry courses linked to members, available on website
• A full list of all books published by members, with links to on-line purchasing
• Online, real time chat sessions

But let me get our existing membership to answer this for you - click here to read testimonials from current members.

Q: What happens if I join in November or December - do I pay membership fees for the full year?

From 1 November to 31 December each year, we offer new members the choice of which year to apply their membership dues to. In other words, we will give access to the website and email forum to new members, but will not automatically send the hard copy journals for the preceding year. If your membership dues are applied to the current year, you'll receive the journals, but will have to pay membership dues again in the January of the following year. If you apply your membership dues to the following year, you will not receive journals automatically. You'll have to order them as past editions. Past editions of the journal are available at 25% of your membership dues each.

Q: What languages does the IASYM use?

Currently we use English as a medium of communication from our administrative offices, on our website, in our journal and on the member's only email discussion forum. However, we recognise the multiplicity of languages around the world, and would be very open to working with a local group to develop resources in other languages. These languages would need to have some global appeal (such as Spanish or French), or be critical to opening up new areas of growth for the IASYM (such as Chinese). It would also be easy to open up additional discussion forums in different languages. But for now, and for the foreseeable future, English is the lingua franca of the Association.

Q: Are you only focussed on Christian youth ministry?

We recognise that in terms of the development of young people, many different faith-based organisations and religions are doing amazing work around the world. We also recognise the many NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and charities doing similar work with young people. We do interact with these organisations, sharing information and sometimes resources. In particular, we look to these organisations for assistance in understanding youth culture. But our focus is not only on the physical, mental, social, political, psychological or other "human" aspects of young people. In addition to these, we are also concerned with the spiritual dimension of life. And we are specifically concerned with the impact of a Christian approach, worldview and faith on youth work and ministry.

Q: What denominations do you support? Are there any Christian churches you do not allow into membership?

As an Association we do not take denominations and Christian tradition into account. We confess our faith in the words of the Apostle’s Creed. We are open to all who accept this and call themselves Christians, and are proud of our ecumenical approach.

Q: What is your refund policy?

If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your membership, or with any service the Association offers, you will be able to obtain a pro rata refund of your fees.  If any journals or other materials have been sent to you, this will be deducated from your fees, and the remainder refunded in a manner selected by the Association administrator.

Q: Can we pay for more than one year of membership?

Yes. You can pay for up to five years of membership fees in advance. These will be non-refundable, but will all be paid at the current year's rate.

Q: Is the Association registered anywhere?

We are registered as a non-profit organisation in the United States. The details are:
• Employer Identification Number : 94-331914
• DLN – 17053092052011
• Foundation Status Classification: 509 (a) (2)

  We are in the process of registering as a Charity in the United Kingdom. This will be completed in early 2004.

Q: Can I get a tax receipt for membership fees and contributions?

Yes. As a registered educational non-profit organisation in the United States, all contributions and fees can be deducted for US tax purposes. Many institutions will put these fees into their budgets. Please ask for a tax receipt or invoice, as you require for your records. The same may be true for the UK once we are registered as a charity there.

Q: What resources do you make available?

Non-members have access to the titles and abstracts of all journal articles. Members have access to all the articles on-line, as well as other submissions from members across the world.  These articles are produced in a hrad-copy, indexed, blind peer reviewed, academic journal:  The Journal of Youth and Theology.  

Q: Is the Journal of Youth and Theology indexed?

Yes.  It complies with all international academic standards.  ISSN: 1741-0819.

Q: Can I get a book reviewed in the Journal??

Yes.  For North American publications contact Jim Hampton, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , for European publications contact Richard James, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , for reviews of publications in Africa, especially southern Africa, contact Melanie Thirion, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for any other reviews contact the editor, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Q: How do I submit a paper, article or book review to the Journal of Youth and Theology ?

It's very simple. Send a paper proposal to Steve Griffiths, the editor of the Journal. he will then instruct you as to taking it further. He will also oversee the peer review process. Steve can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Q: Can I purchase back issues of the Journal of Youth and Theology ?

Yes.  Back issues are available to all members at 25% of your membership fee (minimum of US $ 2.50) per issue.  This includes postage costs.  To order back issues please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Please specify which issues you wish to purchase.  
Details of all past and current journal issues, including the table of contents are available by clicking here.
Any issue of the journal is available to non-members at a price of $50 per issue.