In Depth:  youth ministry

youth ministry

Jonny Woodbridge

This term at our children's groups, I made the decision to attempt teaching the doctrine of union with Christ — with mixed results!

It got me thinking about how we teach tricky concepts and ideas to children, and whether that's a good idea or not. Let me tell you what went well, and what didn’t go quite to plan.

youth ministry

Jonny Woodbridge

Back in April, I started writing a little three part series for en looking at the role of the traditional youth and children's worker.

We started by establishing that there was a role to be played by the church in teaching youth and children and that it wasn't all the parents' job. Then we looked at some reasons why I believe it is a very legitimate thing to do to appoint someone to do that role in a church. As we finish, I've got just three thoughts for churches as they think about employing and supporting someone in this role, based on everything we've looked at so far.

Jonny Woodbridge

In my article last month, we started looking at whether there was a place for a Youth and Children's worker in today's church.

We began to do so by establishing that while the family has a role in bringing up children to follow Jesus, the church also has a key role to play.

Dave Burke

How can we help young people become more resilient?

We have all heard some of the statistics, but you only have to think of a person whose child is in their teens or twenties and is ill with anxiety. 100 percent of their heart is broken, and that is the only statistic that really matters.

youth ministry

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.

John-Edward Funnell

Each summer, I have the opportunity to serve the next generation of leaders, missionaries and committed church members at youth camps in Wales and Romania. What I have observed recently is a growth in an almost puritanical movement within our youth.

As I teach the Bible and engage with Gen Z and Gen Alpha*, I am encouraged by their deep commitment to Jesus and their desire to live authentic holy lives. They have all grown up in a post-Christian secular society, saturated with sexual ideology and they are seeking refuge. I see a counter-culture that is being refined by secularism, calling a new generation back to holy living.