The Effective Ministry Podcast

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...

In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, hosted by Josh from Youthworks in Sydney, we dive into the ministry opportunities within Christian high schools. Denis Oliver, the College Chaplain at Thomas Hassall Anglican College and former parish minister, shares his journey from parish ministry to school chaplaincy. He discusses the unique gospel opportunities in Christian schools, the spiri...

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 Sacrifice Ep 93- House Conference Special | Audio Reading of Paper by Graham Stanton | The Beauty and Ugliness of Sacrifice Ep 94 - House Conference group...

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 t...

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 question...

This is part one of a two-part conversation with Valerie O’Brien from Aspen Ministry. In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast , host Al James sits down with Val to talk about her journey into youth ministry and her latest initiative, the 10,000 Questions Project . Val, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, has spent more than 15 years serving in student ministry through the local church—walking w...

HOUSE Conference 2025 group discussion with Jocelyn Bignill & Toby Macgregor In 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 Ug...

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 Beauty and Ugliness of Sacrifice , written by Rev Dr Graham Stanton . This theological paper, with a pastoral edge, explores the beauty of sacrifice as an ideal for Christian living and t...

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...