I will have a listen to that - we're about to start youth ministry here in Annandale - which is very exciting. I'll post some thoughts when I get a chance.
Marty and Liam are such good looking guys! top

Marty and Liam are such good looking guys!
pity about the guy in the middle... top

hey sam.
glad you're keen to have a listen... and look forward to hearing how things go with kicking off a youth ministry.

what's the demographic in the area? are there many teenagers? top

Well, we have a quite number of older primary school kids already at church with us at Christians in the Media, and a small number of teenagers around the edges of our kids programs - so we've got a start. And with even one kid you've got something to work with.
As far as the demographic of the suburb - I think there are plenty around From living here for almost a year now, I see teenagers everywhere - and none of the other churches in Annandale are running anything to reach them. So pray for Soph and I as we head this up next year! top

that's really exciting to be starting a new venture in town. i pray that teenagers would hear the truth, cross over from death 2 life, and then live the truth. top

Had a listen to this lecture this morning. A few of my reflections:
The godly life of the youth leader is so key. It was in my coming to Christ too.
It's interesting too how the position of 'youth pastor' is often viewed as the 'entry level' position. That's incredibly sad.
David - did you do any formal 'youth training before starting with CCEC? Do you think it's as important as he made out to have formal training?
Also interesting how many seminaries there must be in America - Praise God that we have some faithful colleges in Sydney. top

The godly life of the youth leader is so key. It was in my coming to Christ too.

absolutely. i often reflect on the pastoral epistles and the weight that paul gives to godly characteristics before skills.

It's interesting too how the position of 'youth pastor' is often viewed as the 'entry level' position. That's incredibly sad.

in the usa - guys are more likeyl to see it as something to pursue full-time long-term... i would love to see that more in australia.

David - did you do any formal 'youth training before starting with CCEC?

i've been at ccec since i was in yr12 (1998). so no.
i did mts in 04/05
i'm the asst yth minister in 06/07
and plan on doing college in 08-11.
but i'm not planning on doing youth training... i go to conferences and am keen to keep thinking theologically about youth minstry... but think that doing the same training as the senior minister is important if the profile of youth ministry is to be raised. that's why youthworks college seems to go against what it is trying to do!

Do you think it's as important as he made out to have formal training?

theological training is super-important... but at the same time you can have people who are equipped theologically but are ungodly wretches... so godliness is the training that matter!

you can do any ministry without formal training...
but maybe for the long haul it's good to have taken time to be theologically equipped? top

Sure, I'm all for theological training - after MTS thats certainly our hope. I was more referring to the specific youth trainning that he was talking about. top

Hey Champion!!

I can't believe I made the cut for your blog!! Trine will never believe this one...

love ya mate!!
Marty top