Registration opens for the 40th Annual Perkins School of Youth and Children’s Ministry

DALLAS (SMU) – Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University has opened registration for the 40th annual Perkins School of Youth and Children’s Ministry (PSYCM), taking place Jan. 11–13, 2027, at First United Methodist Church, 503 N. Central Expressway, in Richardson, Texas.

The three-day event brings together youth and children's ministry leaders, pastors, and ministry volunteers from across the country to collaborate, exchange ideas and develop practical skills for their ministries. Many participants return year after year, with some transitioning from attendees seeking new approaches to experienced leaders sharing their knowledge as workshop facilitators.

Registration closes Dec. 6, 2026.

“For 40 years, PSYCM has stood as one of Perkins’ longest-running commitments to equipping ministry leaders with the knowledge and practical skills needed to serve young people in their communities,” said Leighton K. Farrell Endowed Dean Bryan P. Stone. “As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to continuing that tradition by creating more opportunities for collaboration and growth among youth leaders across the country.”

Established in 1987 as the Perkins School of Youth Ministry, the program expanded to include children’s ministry leaders in 2022. Today, PSYCM remains one of the longest-running youth and children's ministry training events in North Texas, and across the United Methodist Church. 

“It's remarkable to consider how much has changed in just the past decade of next generation church ministry, and yet the nuts and bolts for it still ring true, said Bart Patton, assistant dean of Lifelong Learning, Church Relations, and Alumni Engagement. “We've changed with the times, too. And we've also held on to some guiding principles that inform who we are.  These days, most of our leaders are younger than the event itself!”

Participants may register for one of two learning tracks:

Foundations Track: A structured learning cohort designed for those newer to ministry or seeking to strengthen their foundational knowledge of children’s, youth and family ministry.
Workshops Track: A flexible learning experience offering 14 in-depth workshop options for participants seeking deeper engagement with specific areas of ministry.

This year, PSYCM will introduce the Workshops Advanced Track Cohort, a specialized learning opportunity focused on conflict engagement in congregational leadership. For participating Workshop Tack attendees, the cohort will replace both Tuesday workshop selections, providing dedicated time to develop and practice conflict resolution and dispute management skills in congregational and faith-based settings. 

PSYCM will feature Ministry Solutions Labs, World Café-style discussions that bring together small groups of church leaders with similar responsibilities to address shared challenges and develop practical solutions for their unique ministry contexts.

In addition, Workshop Track participants will have the opportunity to select a Wednesday afternoon short-shop, a revised favorite of PSYCM for decades.

For details or to register, click here.

SMU Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU's Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.