Welcome back!
This weeks episode is the second in a two part series looking into the Incarnational Model of Youth Ministry.

Last week, we had a fascinating presentation critiquing the incarnational model of youth ministry. It was presented by Tim Gough, Director of Llandudno Youth For Christ in Wales. Tim is a Youth Ministry academic, practitioner, and host of the blog www.youthworkhacks.com.

This week, I’m joined by Matt Bartlett, my fellow Youth Ministry Advisor at Youthworks, and Tim Beilharz, Children’s Minister at Soul Revival Church and Lecturer at Youthworks College. Together, we process some of the key ideas Tim Gough shared about the incarnational model of youth ministry. We ask questions, offer additional critiques, and highlight memorable moments from last week’s episode.

📣 Exciting News for January and February!
We’re kicking off the new year by bringing back some of our favourite episodes and diving into the vault to re-release classic discussions on youth and children’s ministry. Tune in every week for insightful and inspiring content!

✉️ Send Us a Question and Win a Book: Special Q&A Episode

We’re thrilled to announce a giveaway of Tim Beilharz’s upcoming book, The Child in God’s Church: Faith-Formative Relationships that Grow Disciples Who Know, Love and Obey King Jesus.

We're looking forward to it being released in late January by our partners, Youthworks Media!

Here’s how you can win:

• Send us any question about youth or children’s ministry.
• Email it to: [email protected]

We’ll select one lucky listener to receive a free copy of Tim’s soon-to-be-released book!

💌 We’ll let everyone who enters know how they went via email in mid-January, just ahead of the book's release. Plus, we’ll answer some of the best questions in a special Q&A episode, coming your way in April or May!

To find more great resources for youth and children's ministry, visit Youthworks Media.

Don’t miss this opportunity to ask your burning questions and gain fresh insights into ministry!

Connect with Youthworks

Click on 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 clicking here.

You can partner in the ministry of Youthworks by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠donating here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We would love to hear from you. Get stuck in to the Effective Ministry Podcast Facebook page or send your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and critiques to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we dive into a fascinating discussion about the incarnational model of youth ministry—a framework that has likely influenced your work with children, youth, and young adults, even if you’re unfamiliar with its name.

Our guest, Tim Gough, explores this influential model and its impact on ministryin a recently presented a seminar titled Critiquing the Incarnational Model of Youth Ministry at the Youthworks Theology Think Tank, a collaboration between Youthworks College and Youthworks Ministry Support.

Tim, the Director of Llandudno Youth For Christ in Wales, brings over a decade of full-time youth ministry experience to the conversation. With academic credentials from Oxford University, Oak Hill, and Cliff College, as well as the popular blog Youth Work Hacks, Tim is a seasoned trainer and speaker passionate about equipping youth workers.

The incarnational ministry model has shaped youth ministry approaches since the late 1920s, gaining traction in the 1940s and 1950s through organizations like Youth for Christ, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and Young Life. While the model emphasizes relationships and contextualizing the gospel—essential aspects of ministry—Tim challenges us to reflect on its shortcomings and consider its implications for our own practices.

This episode is packed with thought-provoking insights for youth and children’s ministers, as well as leaders eager to examine the foundations of their work

Episode Highlights:

• Historical origins and evolution of the incarnational model of youth ministry.
• Core principles of immersion, relationships, and contextualization in ministry.
• Theological and practical implications of the incarnational model.
• Potential pitfalls and critiques of its widespread adoption.
• Thorough critique based on biblical, theological, and practical viewpoints.
• Practical reflections for youth and children’s ministry leaders.

About Our Guest:
Tim Gough is the Director of Llandudno Youth For Christ in Wales and a seasoned youth worker with over a decade of experience. He is an alumnus of Oxford University, Oak Hill, and Cliff College and the creator of the award-winning blog Youth Work Hacks. Tim regularly trains and speaks on youth ministry at events across the UK.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Tim’s blog: www.youthworkhacks.com
• Youthworks Theology Think Tank

Connect with Youthworks

Click on 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.

You can connect with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and partner in the ministry of Youthworks by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠donating here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Join the Conversation:
What do you think about the incarnational model of youth ministry? Share your thoughts with us on social media or via email -  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.— we’d love to hear from you

Welcome back!

this week is the second of a two part series on how youth ministry can help young people foster a deep and genuine love for God. last episode you heard an edited version of a Youth Ministry seminar at the Reach Australia Conference on the topic. It explored two aspects of Love for God - that it is expressive and responsive - and the implications of these.

This week we'll hear from Tim Scoular and Miki Sinfield from Norwest Anglican Church and Sam Foster from Richmond Anglican Church sharing their experiences in seeking to foster a love of God in their youth ministries.

Connect with Youthworks

Click on 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.

You can connect with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and partner in the ministry of Youthworks by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠donating here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We would love to hear from you. Send your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and critiques to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Welcome back!

In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, we're diving into the first of a two part series on how youth ministry can help young people foster a deep and genuine love for God. This is at the heart of Youth Ministry! You'll hear an edited version of a Youth Ministry seminar at the Reach Australia Conference on the topic. It explores two aspects of Love for God - that it is expressive and responsive - and the implications of these. We'll look at practical tips on balancing actions and affections, and trusting God's work in young hearts. From parent expectations to the impact of modern culture, we're covering a whole lot of related themes. Tune in to explore how genuine faith can flourish through the ups and downs of teenage identity, creating a culture of celebration and ownership in youth programs. in the next episode, we'll look into 2 case studies from churches to help ground some of the ideas we've been thinking about.

Connect with Youthworks

Click on 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.

You can connect with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and partner in the ministry of Youthworks by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠donating here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We would love to hear from you. Send your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and critiques to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Welcome back to the Effective Ministry Podcast!

In this episode of the Effective Ministry podcast, hosts Al James and co-host Harriet Connor from the Timeless Parenting podcast conclude a three-part series on identity, healthy sexuality, and gender identity. They speak with Patricia and Kamal Weerakoon co-authors of 'The Gender Revolution' with Rob Smith. The discussion delves into the biblical and biological perspectives on gender identity, Patricia shares her experiences in the field of gender medicine since the 1970s and highlights the changes in societal and medical approaches to gender identity issues, particularly among children and teens and the conversation offers practical advice for parents, churches and youth and children's ministries in caring for and discipling young people in light of the discussion around gender identity.

Today's episode is a collaboration with the Timeless Parenting Podcast a ministry of Growing Faith and Mothers Union Sydney. Check out their other episodes and spread the word to the parents in your ministry!

Register for LiT
Registrations for Leaders in Training (LiT) 2024/25 are open for:
-Spring (September 30-Oct 4, 2024) ***rego now closed***
-Summer 1 (January 22-26, 2025) ***sold out***
-Summer 2 (January 26-30, 2025)

Find Out More about Square One
To find out more about Square One visit the youthworks website.
There is still space at Square One Spring 2 - 8th-10th November. To jump in, email [email protected]

Connect with Youthworks

Click on 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.

You can connect with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and partner in the ministry of Youthworks by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠donating here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We would love to hear from you. Send your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and critiques to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Series Overview
00:39 Meet the Guests: Patricia and Kamal
01:43 Patricia's Journey in Gender Medicine
04:01 The Rise of Gender Ideology
09:38 Impact of Technology on Gender Identity
15:51 Challenges of Puberty Blockers
26:24 Parental Guidance and Positive Body Image
30:04 Embracing Biblical Gender Perspectives
33:59 Gender Stereotypes in the Bible
34:29 Role Models Beyond Stereotypes
35:24 The Tree Diagram of Gender
36:16 Biology and Gender Identity
40:56 Parental Guidance on Gender Ideology
43:55 Social Media's Influence on Gender
46:51 Responding to a Child's Gender Declaration
50:23 Building Resilience and Family Bonds
55:08 Church and Community Support
57:14 Youth and Children's Ministry Approaches

Welcome back to the Effective Ministry Podcast!

Join hosts Al James and Anne Cunningham (Timeless Parenting Podcast) for part two of a three-part series on identity, healthy sexuality, and gender identity. In this episode, Al and Anne speak with Patricia and Kamal Weerakoon about the healthy sexuality from Biblical Christian perspective.
Patricia, a Christian sexologist and author, and her son Kamal, a Presbyterian minister with a master's in biblical sexual ethics, share their collaborative approach on discussing healthy sexuality from a biblical framework. They emphasize the importance of proactive parenting, open communication and discuss the societal influences on young people's understanding of sexuality.

Today's episode the first of two collaborations with the Timeless Parenting Podcast a ministry of Growing Faith and Mothers Union Sydney. Check out their other episodes and spread the word to the parents in your ministry!

Register for LiT
Registrations for Leaders in Training (LiT) 2024/25 are open for:
-Spring (September 30-Oct 4, 2024) ***rego now closed***
-Summer 1 (January 22-26, 2025) ***sold out***
-Summer 2 (January 26-30, 2025)

Find Out More about Square One
To find out more about Square One visit the youthworks website.
There is still space at Square One Spring 2 - 8th-10th November. To jump in, email [email protected]

Connect with Youthworks

Click on 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.

You can connect with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and partner in the ministry of Youthworks by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠donating here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We would love to hear from you. Send your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and critiques to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Welcome back to the Effective Ministry Podcast!
The first in a three part series on Identity, Sexuality and Gender, in this episode, Al James sits down with Simon Swadling to explore the phrase 'finding your identity in Christ.' They discuss the pressures young people face around identity, why the phrase might be more harmful than helpful, and its lack of biblical backing. Simon shares his thoughts on how the phrase can promote individualism and a disconnect between our spiritual and physical lives. The alternative is to focus on building deep, meaningful relationships with Jesus and finding new ways to talk about our worth and identity.

Simon is a Children's Minister at Summer Hill Anglican, as well as working for Living Faith and Single Minded.
You can access his writing and reflection on identity and other things at his Substack.

Register for LiT
Registrations for Leaders in Training (LiT) 2024/25 are open for:
-Spring (September 30-Oct 4, 2024) ***rego now closed***
-Summer 1 (January 22-26, 2025)
-Summer 2 (January 26-30, 2025)

Find Out More about Square One
To find out more about Square One visit the youthworks website.
There is still space at Square One Spring 2 - 8th-10th November. To jump in, email [email protected]

Connect with Youthworks

Click on 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.

You can connect with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and partner in the ministry of Youthworks by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠donating here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We would love to hear from you. Send your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and critiques to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

00:00 Introduction: The Pressure of Identity

00:19 Exploring Worth and Identity in Christ

01:13 Welcome to the Effective Ministry Podcast

01:20 Questioning the Phrase: Identity in Christ

03:35 Introducing Simon Swaddling

03:47 Simon Swaddling's Journey and Roles

05:42 Gut Issues with the Phrase

07:00 Personal Experiences and Identity

12:24 Broader Implications of Identity

14:29 Is the Phrase Biblical?

20:22 The Fracturing of the Self

23:40 Individualism and Identity in Christ

27:38 Dualism in Identity Narratives

30:23 Embodied Life and Worship

31:52 Particularity and Worth

00:19 Freedom in Christ

40:45 Youth Leadership Training

43:12 Challenges for Young Christians

49:53 Relational Identity in Christ

01:00:26 Developing Youth Resources

Tim Beilharz has left the building! :-( And an announcement about a 3 part special on "Identity" starting next Wednesday:
1) What's wrong with finding your identity in Christ - Simon Swadling - Wednesday 18th September
2) Sexuality - Patricia and Kamal Weerakoon - in Partnership with Growing Faith Timeless Parenting Podcast - Wed 2nd October
3) Gender - Patricia and Kamal Weerakoon - in Partnership with Growing Faith Timeless Parenting Podcast - Wed 9th October

In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, Al James sits down with Tim Beilharz, a much loved and appreciated children's ministry advisor who is finishing up in his role at Youthworks after 12 years. Tim shares his experiences, his thoughts on the future of youth and children's ministry, and talks with Al about topics like the importance of intergenerational relationships, the necessity of communal and participatory church life, and recognizing child faith as real, holistic, and ad hoc (intrigued?!).

Register for LiT
Registrations for Leaders in Training (LiT) 2024/25 are open for:
-Spring (September 30-Oct 4, 2024) ***closes soon***
-Summer 1 (January 22-26, 2025)
-Summer 2 (January 26-30, 2025)

Connect with Youthworks

Click on 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.

You can connect with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and partner in the ministry of Youthworks by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠donating here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We would love to hear from you. Send your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and critiques to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

How to Start an Effective Youth Ministry from Scratch | Effective Ministry Podcast

In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, we discuss how to start an effective youth ministry in your church. Join us as we talk with Danny Mitchell, the youth and young adults pastor at Ann Street Presbyterian in Brisbane, and a former youth ministry network consultant with the Presbyterian church in Queensland. We delve into the importance of discipling young people, the steps to consider in starting a youth ministry, and how to support and partner with parents. Whether you're at the beginning stages or looking to take a temperature check of your existing ministry, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical advice.

Connect with Youthworks

Click on 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.

You can connect with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and partner in the ministry of Youthworks by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠donating here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We would love to hear from you. Send your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and critiques to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.