Hey, and welcome
I’ve been involved in youth and children’s ministry for almost 40 years. I started out at 18, knowing nothing and here I am 57 knowing . . . sometimes it feel like less.
What I am sure of is that children and young people need adults in their lives who will journey well with them. I’ve sought to do that as both a volunteer and paid youth minister, a Diocesan youth and children’s adviser and as I’ve led regional and national children’s and youth ministry stuff.
I’m also keen to journey with those who work with children, young people and families. In 2022 I founded, Paraklesis - The Association of Children’s, Youth and Family Ministers. After years of supporting and encouraging, training and mentoring others, I carried out a survey in 2019 looking at the Term’s and Conditions of Salaried Workers. You can read some of the detail of that here.
Essentially, Paraklesis was a response to the survey findings and, much like my regular work through, The Resource, has a focus on :
Wellbeing in life and ministry. We are whole beings, not easily split in to ministry activity over here and the rest of life over there. Jesus came to give us life in all it’s fullness - which can also be translated, ‘wholeness or completeness’ and in a fractured world with many distractions, I’ll be exploring how we can aim for that.
Employment and Leadership. So often things break down because of unrealistic expectations or toxic and challenging leadership environments. I’ll be reflecting in this space on how to create spaces where those employed to lead on children’s, youth and family ministry can thrive.
Vocational Call. This, for me, is right at the heart of it all - why have I been put on this earth? What does God want me to do for him? My vocational call is working with children, young people and families and to support others who are also involved in that ministry. There often isn’t the space, the opportunity, to structure and support in place to enable that within the Church - so I’m advocating for change, championing those who want to be in this vital ministry for LIFE.
In what I share here we will cover things like discipleship, mentoring, leadership, training and development, reflective practice, rhythms of life and ministry that keep us sane and - anything I feel resonates with this kind of work (those articles might feel a bit random!)
That’s about it - so, why not subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and website? This means you will never miss a fresh article from me.
I intend to keep all my content shared here free. It is not in my plan to ever make this a ‘paid for’ space. So, do support me by subscribing without emptying your wallet to do so!
Join the community.
I’m planning on making use of the ‘Chat’ function to have conversations and share thoughts and reflections - do drop me any comments or thoughts you have, or join in where you see a conversation has already started :)
Thanks so much for being on this journey with me.
