The Effective Ministry Podcast

Parenting in God's Family Vol. 2 | A Resource for Families & Ministry LeadersWhat does it look like to raise children who are anchored in Christ — and how can youth and children's ministry leaders partner with parents to make it happen?In this crossover episode with the Timeless Parenting Podcast (hosted by Ann Cunningham and Harriet Connor from Mothers' Union Sydney and Growing Faith/Youthworks), Al James sits down to explore the newly released Parenting in God's Family Volume 2 — a multi-author resource that's as relevant for ministry workers as it is for parents.In this episode:The biblical-theological framework behind Christ-anchored parenting — creation, fallenness, responsibility in Christ, the church, the changing world, and eternityWhy parents are the primary disciplers of their children — and why youth/kids ministers are vital partners (not substitutes)What the research says about children who stick with faith into adulthoodHow to have grace-filled conversations about culture, mental health, AI, and a changing worldWhy intergenerational discipleship in the local church matters more than everThe danger of outsourcing your child's faith formation — and how ministry leaders can bridge the gap with familiesWhether you're a parent, a youth pastor, a kids' ministry leader, or a church worker thinking about how to better equip families — this conversation is for you.Parenting in God's Family Volume 2You can find Parenting in God's Family Volume 2 for purchase at Youthworks Media Register For House - Anchored and AdaptableHouse Conference is happening the 25-27th August 2026 and will be on a Theology of Contextualisation with Mike Dicker (Principal at Youthworks College) and Derek Brotherson (Principal at Sydney Missionary and Bible College)Register here: youthworks.net/houseConnect with YouthworksClick through to discover more about the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youthworks Ministry Support Team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and how Youthworks can help you have an effective youth and children's ministry in your local church, or check out our Facebook Page.You can connect with the broader Youthworks family by clicking here.You can partner in the ministry of Youthworks by donating here.We would love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠effectiveministrypodcast@youthworks.net

Welcome to our Summer Re-Release series 2025/26This week, we are re-releasing episode 97 - ADHD and discipleship in children and youth ministry.In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, host Meaghan Gates is joined by Di Lucas from Youthworks Ministry Support Team and Luke Graham, a children's minister in Canterbury. The discussion focuses on the significant challenges and rewarding experiences of working with neurodiverse children in church settings. Luke shares insights about creating inclusive spaces through initiatives like the Accessible Kids and Youth Ministry Network. Di offers personal perspectives and practical strategies from her own experiences both as a mother to children with ADHD and as an individual with an ADHD diagnosis. The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding, empathy, and practical support for neurodiverse children and their families, stressing that no expertise is required to start making positive changes.00:00 Introduction to Church and Community00:47 Meet the Hosts and Guests02:39 Challenges of Working with Neurodiverse Kids04:46 Biblical Perspective on ADHD12:21 Practical Strategies for Supporting Neurodiverse Kids32:25 The Power of Praise for Kids33:31 Inclusion of Neurodiverse Kids in Church36:54 Personal Experiences with ADHD in Ministry39:33 Strategies for Supporting Kids with ADHD50:11 Supporting Parents of Kids with ADHD57:00 Final Thoughts and EncouragementConnect with YouthworksClick through to discover more about the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youthworks Ministry Support Team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and how Youthworks can help you have an effective youth and children's ministry in your local church, or check out our Facebook Page.You can connect with the broader Youthworks family by clicking here.You can partner in the ministry of Youthworks by donating here.We would love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠effectiveministrypodcast@youthworks.netBec Baines Accessibility Ministry Advisor https://www.youthworks.net/blog/bec-bainesAccessible Kids and Youth Ministry page https://www.facebook.com/groups/775236337121469

In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, Josh chats with Marty Robinson about the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) within youth and children's ministry. Marty provides a theological framework encompassing creation, the fall, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, examining how each element relates to A.I. usage in ministry. They address both the benefits and caveats of A.I., such as enhancing administrative tasks, creating engaging content for youth, and maintaining ethical standards. The episode is filled with practical advice on integrating A.I. thoughtfully and ethically in ministry while upholding a Christ-centered approach.Connect with YouthworksClick through to discover more about the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youthworks Ministry Support Team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and how Youthworks can help you have an effective youth and children's ministry in your local church, or check out our Facebook Page.You can connect with the broader Youthworks family by clicking here.You can partner in the ministry of Youthworks by donating here.We would love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠effectiveministrypodcast@youthworks.net

In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, host Josh, a Youth and High School ministry advisor with Youthworks in Sydney, continues the series on high school ministry by interviewing recent high school graduates Ellie and Annaliese. They dive deep into their experiences in public and Christian high schools, discussing how school environments influenced and impacted their faith. The episode also explores the challenges and opportunities for ministry in high school settings, emphasising the importance of equipping students with evangelism and apologetic skills. They share uplifting stories about seeing the fruits of SRE (Special Religious Education) seeds planted during their school days and offer encouragement to church workers, SRE teachers, and school chaplains.Part 1, reflecting on Public High School Ministry, can be found here. Part 2, reflecting on Christian High School Ministry, can be found here.Connect with YouthworksClick through to discover more about the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youthworks Ministry Support Team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and how Youthworks can help you have an effective youth and children's ministry in your local church, or check out our Facebook Page.You can connect with the broader Youthworks family by clicking here.You can partner in the ministry of Youthworks by donating here.We would love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠effectiveministrypodcast@youthworks.net

This episode continues the HOUSE Conference 2025 series from Youthworks. Earlier, we released a pre-conference lead-up series including:Ep 92 - House Conference Special | Audio Reading of Paper by Viv Cheung | The Cost and Joy of Being a Living SacrificeEp 93- House Conference Special | Audio Reading of Paper by Graham Stanton | The Beauty and Ugliness of SacrificeEp 94 - House Conference group discussion with Jocelyn Bignill & Toby MacgregorYou can also listen to:Ep 87 - The Cost and the Joy of Sacrifice | House Taster 2025During HOUSE, many questions were raised and submitted online by Delegates. This post-conference follow-up addresses some of the questions we didn’t have time for at the conference, with insights from Dr Viv Cheung and Rev Dr Graham Stanton. The discussion explores biblical, theological, and pastoral aspects of sacrifice, and highlights practical applications for ministry with young people and children.Whether you attended HOUSE, engaged with the lead-up series, or are just tuning in, this episode will help you reflect, discuss, and apply the theme The Cost and Joy of Sacrifice in your ministry — and gives a glimpse of what’s possible at next year’s conference, 25–27 August 2026.Find out more about HOUSE Conference 2026 → https://youthworks.net/houseLinks & ResourcesHOUSE Conference 2026 – https://youthworks.net/houseConnect with YouthworksClick through to discover more about the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youthworks Ministry Support Team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and how Youthworks can help you have an effective youth and children's ministry in your local church, or check out our Facebook Page.You can connect with the broader Youthworks family by clicking here.You can partner in the ministry of Youthworks by donating here.We would love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠effectiveministrypodcast@youthworks.net

This is part two of a two-part conversation with Valerie O’Brien from Aspen Ministry. If you haven’t listened to part one yet, go back and catch that first—we explored Val’s story in youth ministry and her work on the 10,000 Questions Project.In this shorter follow-up episode, host Al James and Val get practical about what it looks like to create youth ministry environments where asking questions isn’t just tolerated but encouraged. Together they explore:How leaders can build a culture where students feel free to ask their real questionsWhy modelling curiosity and vulnerability mattersHow to respond in ways that draw students closer to Jesus rather than shutting conversation downVal shares insights from her experience coaching youth leaders across the US and around the world, offering simple but powerful principles for welcoming questions as part of discipleship.We pick up immediately after Val has shared her insights from the 10,000 Questions Project.This is a valuable episode for youth workers, parents, and anyone passionate about discipling the next generation.Aspen MinistryFind out more about Val’s work and the 10,000 Questions Project at aspenministry.org.Connect with YouthworksClick through to discover more about the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youthworks Ministry Support Team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and how Youthworks can help you have an effective youth and children's ministry in your local church, or check out our Facebook Page.You can connect with the broader Youthworks family by clicking here.You can partner in the ministry of Youthworks by donating here.We would love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠effectiveministrypodcast@youthworks.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

HOUSE Conference 2025 group discussion with Jocelyn Bignill & Toby MacgregorIn this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, host Josh Ord and guests Jocelyn and Toby dive into the theme of 'The Cost and Joy of Sacrifice' as part of the lead-up to House Conference 2025. They discuss two conference papers: 'The Cost and Joy of Being a Living Sacrifice' by Dr Viv Cheung and 'The Beauty and Ugliness of Sacrifice' by Rev Dr Graham Stanton. Key takeaways include understanding the theological and practical implications of sacrifice in youth and children's ministry, balancing grace and sacrifice, and addressing potential abuses of the concept. The discussion aims to prepare listeners for deeper conversations at the upcoming conference.Find out more about HOUSE Conference 2025 → https://youthworks.net/houseClick below for an audio reading of the conference papers. 093 - House Conference Special | Audio Reading of Paper by Graham Stanton | The Beauty and Ugliness of Sacrifice092 - House Conference Special | Audio Reading of Paper by Viv Cheung | The Cost and Joy of Being a Living Sacrifice

This episode is part of our HOUSE Conference 2025 lead‑up series from Youthworks, exploring this year’s theme — The Cost and Joy of Sacrifice.In this episode, we share the full audio of the conference paper The Cost and Joy of Being a Living Sacrifice, written by Dr Viv Cheung. This biblical studies paper digs deeply into the language of sacrifice in the Bible and will help you engage more fully with the theological ideas we’ll be discussing together at HOUSE.These papers are designed to take us from deep reflection in Scripture and theology to practical application in youth and children’s ministry. As you listen, be thinking about how the principles you hear might shape the way you disciple the next generation in your church.If you haven’t already, we recommend listening first to our taster episode (The Cost and the Joy of Sacrifice | House Taster 2025) for an accessible introduction to the topic.Find out more about HOUSE Conference 2025 → https://youthworks.net/houseLinks & Resources:HOUSE Conference 2025 – https://youthworks.net/houseTaster Episode – The Cost and the Joy of Sacrifice | House Taster 2025Effective Ministry Podcast Archive – https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-effective-ministry-podcast