The Effective Ministry Podcast

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 ful...

Intentional Under Fives Ministry: Insights and Strategies In this episode, Meagan and Eliza discuss their extensive experience and passion for ministry to children under five. They share practical insights and examples from their own work including the importance of creating a safe and engaging environment and the benefits of using play-based learning. They also provide advice on implementing a st...

In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, host Josh, a Youth and High School Ministry Advisor with YouthWorks in Sydney, speaks with Katie Stringer about Special Religious Education (SRE) in public high schools in New South Wales, Australia. Katie, who teaches Christian SRE to nearly 900 students each fortnight across multiple schools, shares her journey of getting involved in SRE and the...

In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, host Al James sits down with Polly Butterworth to discuss her book, 'The Mythical Life of the Good Christian Girl.' Polly, a high school chaplain, offers insights into the pressures young Christian women face and how her personal experiences shaped the book. They delve into the process of navigating faith, societal expectations, and the myths surr...

In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, Al James hosts experienced youth and children's ministry advisors Chris Jones, Josh Ord, Megan Gates, and Di Lucas for the second half of their Q&A session. They tackle current issues such as the impact of new social media legislation in Australia on youth ministries, effective strategies for welcoming newcomers, and ways to integrate youth in...

Welcome back! This episode is a taster for House Conference and delves into the topic of the conference, "The Cost and the Joy of Sacrifice". It looks at what sacrificial discipleship means in children's and youth ministry, exploring the theological and practical aspects of living as 'a living sacrifice,' inspired by Romans 12:1. The conversation covers how to encourage young believers to live sac...

Q&A on Effective Youth and Children's Ministry In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, Al James welcomes listeners to a special Q&A segment . Al, along with members of the Youth Works Ministry support team, including Chris Jones, Josh Ord, Di Lucas, and Megan Gates, tackles various questions related to youth and children's ministry. Topics discussed include partnering with paren...

Welcome back! In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, we share a seminar recorded live at the Mothers Union Sydney Seminar at St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney and watched online by many others in regional Australia and accross the world. Al James speaks with Beth Braga about helping kids stand firm and stand out in their faith. They discuss key strategies for faith retention, including i...

Welcome back! In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, host Al James talks with David Krebs, Sydney Metro Worker at Scripture Union NSW, about burnout in youth and children’s ministry. Drawing from David’s research and ministry experience, they explore what burnout is, how it shows up in ministry life, and what can help prevent it. The conversation touches on collaborative efficacy —trus...

Welcome back! This week we talk with Andy Stevenson and Lisa Vassalo,   Andy is the head of Youthworks Ministry Support and has been involved in Youth Ministry for more than 20 years. Lisa is ssociate Pastor: Children’s Ministry Coordinator and Women’s Trainer at St Marks Pennant Hills . She oversees children’s ministry at St Mark’s and helps support and train female leaders. She's been at St Mark...

Welcome back! This week we talk with Revd Dr Graham Stanton,  Founding Principal of Youthworks College . Graham is currently Director of the Centre for Children's and Youth Ministry and Lecturer in Practical Theology at Ridley College in Melbourne. He is also founder and director of Youth Ministry Futures   In this episode, Al James sits down with Graham to explore the significance of long-term, f...

Welcome back! The first in our new episodes for 2025, this week we talk with Tim Beilharz about his new book, The Child in God's Church . Tim is a leading children's ministry thinker and writer, is a kids pastor at Soul Revival Church and is a former advisor at Youthworks.  In this episode he and Al James discuss his new book which delves into the theological, theoretical, and sociological foundat...

📣 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...

📣 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...

📣 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...

📣 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...

📣 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...

📣 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...

📣 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...

📣 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...

📣 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...

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 . Thi...

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 M...

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 Ti...

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 exp...