This article will be brief - and added to as a summary page. Why intermediate-aged youth ministry? Barna research used to say worldview was essentially shaped by age 14. They now say age 13. While there are exceptions, the 'presets' created by this age essentially set what they will consider later. It's very difficult [...]
There are number of points very-concisely stated in this article. For an opening statement: If we claim to be making disciples, while failing to equip them for their mission, our claim is false at a fundamental level. Here is why - and the easy solution! A cycle that needs breaking Consider the repeating cycle [...]
The future of Christian youth ministry in NZ Christian youth ministry in NZ is in trouble. What is below is very simple to read and digest. But what is then needed is proactive effort - by key youth leaders - to see Christian youth ministry becoming nationally networked - with clear vision and very [...]
Yesterday I met with Dave Gow, who heads up 'Word of Life' ministries - who serve any youth ministry interested in their help. It's an amazing offer - so here is a summary of what they do and can offer. If you want your group to grow, sometimes you will need help. In this instance, [...]
Family First just interviewed an expert on the effects of digital media on the mental health of youth - you can view this HERE. Here is our summary - with comment for youth leaders / parents / pastors: "Teen mental illness - an affirmation of the need for Christian youth ministry" We've lived through a significant [...]
The best approach for a bunch of Christian youth in their school is as follows: Unite together Pray Do whatever it is that you think God would have you do. It doesn't get simpler than this - and to make the point, it also doesn't get better. The key is releasing YOURSELF to serve with [...]
(Credits: The below dates are adapted from a webpage at the 'New Generation' website - which is a school groups movement based out of Sweden.) If you're looking for outreach or 'connection' programme ideas - to have fun in a school - what if you were to pick a couple of the below dates, [...]
A friend recently counted how many High School students there are in our local Tauranga / Western Bay of Plenty Colleges. I was surprised! Katikati College – 789 Te Puke College – 829 Aquinas College – 746 Bethlehem College – 1878 Mount College – 1721 Papamoa College – 1623 Tauranga Boys College – 2059 Tauranga Girls College [...]
NEW: 'Why Christians believe Christianity to be true' About two-thirds of all young adults in our churches leave in the 18- 22-year-old age bracket. This has been true for 30 years too - and this tragic reality is one of the things that catalysed this new resource from the Shining Lights Trust - made free [...]
A 45min podcast that you'll hopefully find INSPIRATIONAL! How could we lose less young adults? Why are we losing them? How could we lose less 'tweens' at ages 12 to 13 - which is the second largest area of loss from our churches?? How could we build healthier discipleship structures for our youth and young [...]
