In depth | Evangelicals Now

Defending the Youth and Children's Worker: it's not just the parents' job!

Jonny Woodbridge

There has lately been a big push back in youth and children's ministry against leaving the job of discipling young people just to the "professional", the church youth and children's worker.

Instead there has been more of a return to the Biblical idea that God has given the responsibility of bringing children up to love the Lord primarily to their parents. This shift has encouraged churches to work with families and help them to do this discipling work, rather than just employing a youth and children's worker to do it instead.

youth ministry

Tackling heavy topics in our youth groups

Jonny Woodbridge

Anyone who has prepared a youth or children's programme for a church weekend away will know the feeling: your minister is due to chat to the speaker, and once they have, you will have your theme for the weekend.

We try to teach the youth and children the same thing over the weekend as the adults, so this is a big moment - if the theme is Jonah, you're laughing; Lamentations (as we once had) - less so! So you can imagine how I felt when the theme came through as "learning to groan well," looking at three tricky psalms of lament! My initial thoughts were "no thank you, let's do something completely different," but my fantastic team convinced me to think again.

youth ministry

Should children stay in the service?

Jonny Woodbridge

There has been an article that has caused a bit of stir recently; arguing for children to remain with their parents in the main church gathering rather than leaving to key into different age groups.

It is quite in vogue to make these sorts of arguments and while this piece won't address all of those, I thought it might be good to be reminded of some of the benefits of having groups for different aged children (and maybe also youth!).

youth ministry

Church events: How wide should we cast the net?

Jonny Woodbridge

Over the Christmas period our church, like many others, had several evangelistic events. We had the classic Christingle and Nativity services, as well as a youth carol service.

We also had a meal for our youth to invite friends to, as well as a big, immersive theatre event for Year 2 children from local primary schools to attend.

youth ministry

Youth ministry: 'Am I making a difference?'

Jonny Woodbridge

If you've ever climbed a mountain (or even just a good-sized hill) you'll know that it can feel like hard work and it's not long before you start to question whether it's worth it. But on a clear day, what can really make a big difference, is after putting some serious effort in, looking up and seeing some good progress made and knowing you are nearer to the top.

However, the danger comes when you're desperate for that burst of encouragement and you keep looking up at every opportunity you get. But each time you look up, the top looks just as close as it did last time. Plus with your eyes up, you're more likely to miss something on the floor and trip up.

youth ministry

When people in your kids groups who should be friends, aren't.

Jonny Woodbridge

It's a funny title but bear with me as I think this gets to something that can cause real heartache among youth and children's workers up and down the country.

Picture the scene - in your small youth group dominated by boys, one girl comes week by week but you know she's not loving being part of it. And then to your utter joy a new family arrives who have a daughter the same age! Problem over, right?

youth ministry

Starting September well

Jonny Woodbridge

How has your new academic year begun? It can feel like landing back to earth with a bump and maybe you wonder how you ever used to cope doing all a normal term-time week entailed?

We all want to start the term in a great place so we can hit the ground running but I'm sure we all achieve that to different extents and are painfully aware of those areas we weren't quite ready for. Before I share what those are for me, here are a couple of ways we were able to begin in good shape thanks to two wonderful members of our youth and children's team.