Neurodiversity: When Friday night feels like a shaken can of soft drink
For many neurodivergent young people, life can sometimes be overwhelming, unpredictable, and hard to contain the strong feelings bubbling inside. Social situations, sensory input, or sudden changes might feel like persistent “shaking” —the eventual explosion is often misinterpreted as simply disruptive behaviour.
As leaders in youth and kids’ ministry, our desire is to create spaces where every young person feels safe.
So how can we lead more thoughtfully and inclusively?
Your story – A visionary Australian research project
Your Story is a visionary research project featuring stories from over 400 Australian young people. The project explores questions around who and what has, and is, shaping their faith in their childhood, adolescence, and the present, by listening to young people narrate their faith story.
Here are four key findings from this research, and their implications for ministry.
Too comfortable for Christ
When life feels full and comfortable, why would anyone think they need Jesus? The “I’m fine, thanks” fallacy is one I’ve encountered time and time again. Young people often don’t perceive their need for Jesus because life feels good, and they don’t see themselves as "bad people."
Here are three approaches to help young people see their need for Jesus, even when they don’t feel it.
Two ways to get quiet discussion groups talking
Think of a time where you’ve asked a question in a discussion and everyone falls silent… is it the good kind of silence, or the not-so-good kind?
One kind of silence is productive, while the other is detrimental to forming a good group culture. One kind of silence promotes discussion, the other hampers it.
Here are two simple tools that will help you create a platform for the types of discussion where you get the good kind of silence.
Small group tips: ‘The rule of thirds”
Does facilitating Friday night youth group discussion time feel like you’re trying to push a boulder up a hill? Many youth group leaders have fallen into the trap of focusing too much on one aspect of the group time. If this is you, then adopting the Rule of Thirds can be a significant help.
Artificial intelligence and ministry to young people
In the context of ministry, there’s almost no limit to the ways in which we might employ AI tools to assist us in our tasks. Yet this is an arena in which we need to do some thinking before we blindly use the tools at hand. So how do we wisely discern what is beneficial for us and for those we are ministering to when it comes to faithfully using AI for ministry purposes?
Going the distance in youth ministry: Longevity, role and personal life.
Wondering how you might be able to keep going the distance in youth ministry? This is what Andy Stevenson has found helpful to keep him going for over 25 years in youth ministry!
Fostering a love of God in youth ministry
In this article, I want to parse out what I think are 2 (perhaps self-evident) essential aspects to loving God, and their implications for the kind of youth ministry we’ll do.
Questions students ask
Have the questions that kids and youth ask in the classroom or on a Friday night changed in the last 10 years?
After noticing the shift to questions around ethics in his schools ministry, Youthworks College graduate Tom Owen has worked to changed the scope and sequence of his school scripture units.
Read more to see the kinds of questions kids ask, and how we helpfully engage with these questions in God’s Word.
Fidget Tools and their Benefits in your Kids and Youth Ministry Setting
Do fidget tools help people maintain focus or are they just a big distraction for everyone? In her article, Bec provides practical tips on choosing the right fidget tools and implementing them effectively in your ministry setting.
What Happens When Young People Own Youth Ministry – A Story from Norwest Anglican
Al James recently spoke to Tim Scoular, Youth Pastor at Norwest Anglican Church, about the changes they made in their youth ministry to increase participation, ownership and service among young people. Read more to hear what Tim had to say.
Starting from Scratch in Youth Ministry
Here are some general principles that are useful in guiding us as we think about how to disciple teens in our differing contexts, so that they can reach their friends with the gospel.
Australian Evangelical Perspectives on Youth Ministry: Identity, Church, Culture, and Discipleship
Youthworks College's recent book launch introduced "Australian Evangelical Perspectives on Youth Ministry," a comprehensive guide merging theology and practice, offering insights, reflections, and practical strategies to equip youth ministers with a robust theological framework and professional development tools to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of youth ministry.
Discipling towards a better culture of smart phone use
As youth leaders, our calling is to teach and model to young people how to navigate life as a disciple of Jesus— and now this includes discipling them toward a better culture of smart phone use.
Sword of the Spirit Drills for Children, Youth and Leaders
A drill you could use to teach children, youth, leaders and parents to handle the Bible well.
Tell Me More
As youth leaders, we long to share our lives with the young people we disciple, but for all kinds of reasons, so often we’re met with a brick wall of one-word answers.