The 7 Principles of Effective Ministry to Children and Youth

By Rev Tim Beilharz & Annemarie Rivers

We believe ministry to children, youth and their families is vital for churches seeking to engage in God’s mission to see his name glorified and his kingdom grow. Research shows that most adult Christians made their decision to become disciples of Christ before 20 years of age[1], and yet it is at this same stage of life when many from Christian households decide to walk away from the faith[2]. There is a direct and observable impact on the growth of the local church when people under 30 years old have a healthy and active faith.

Youthworks’ 7 Principles of Effective Ministry sets out the priorities of a church that is effectively establishing young people as disciples of Christ and members of his Church. The principles come out of the biblical understanding of the status of young people as sinners in need of salvation, who along with the rest of the body are covered by the blood of Jesus through faith in his atoning death, and who are considered by God to be equal members of the Church. They affirm the responsibility given to parents and the whole Church to invest in the discipleship of young Christians. 

Next Steps

The Youthworks Ministry Support Team has developed a range of resources to explore these Principles further. 

[1]  78% of Anglicans in Sydney say they became a Christian before the age of 20. Becoming a Christian: Key Influences on Faith Formation and Church Attendance. Report on Questions Commissioned by Anglican Youthworks in the 2016 National Church Life Survey. May 2018

[2] 40% of people raised in church-going Christian families leave the Sydney Anglican church by the age of 25. In Protestant churches in America this statistic is closer to 60%. 5 Reasons Millennials Stay Connected to Church: Research Releases in Millennials and Generations (September 17, 2013). The Barna Group https://www.barna.com/research/5-reasons-millennials-stay-connected-to-church/ accessed August 14th 2019.