It might be just the beginning of the Year but I bet planning has already started for your Children and Youth Ministry this year. Here is some helpful information to support you on the way.

Planning your ministry

Where you are an organised person or someone that likes to be more spontaneous you have probably started to think about what your Children and Youth Ministry will look like this coming term or even year. To help you with this I have attached some helpful links that can support you with your planning.

1. How to plan a term of youth ministry in 6 steps (Diocese of London)
2. Planning events with purpose  (Diocese of Auckland)
3. Topic Tickers - Not sure what topics to cover this year? Give your youth group the choice! (Diocese of Nelson)
3.  Youth Leadership Team Building (Phil Trotter)
4. Sample Youth Group Programme (Phil Trotter)
5. Map Your Ministry (STRANDZ)

Health and Safety

The three dreaded words in Children and Youth Ministry. People often correspond Health and Safety with having no fun and being boring but it doesn't have to be. Health and Safety is one of the most important aspects of your Children and Youth Ministry. It ensures that the participates, volunteers, the church, and yourself are safe while you have fun and help build your youth's relations with God. 

A necessary tool for leaders of Children and Youth ministry is the Risk Management Plan. This is a simple form that makes you think about all the risks, what you need to do to prevent them and what the plan is if it does happen. These Risk Management forms should be created before your event and be on hand to refer to if something does go wrong. 

Here are two different Risk Management Plan forms you could use.

Risk Management Plan Form 1
Risk Management Plan Form 2

Police Checks

As the new year comes around and you start your ministries back up it is essential that any person that works regularly with people under the age of 18 years is police checked. This is a simple process that just involves completing a form, having your vicar sign off a photo id and then sending it to the Diocesan office. Please get in touch with John Graveston (youth@calledsouth.org.nz) to start this process.

It can not be stressed enough the importance of having all your children and youth workers/volunteers policed checked. This is also a requirement under the Diocesan Child Protection Policy.

Upcoming Training and Events in 2020

Upskilling and getting new ideas is so helpful. Here are some great training opportunities coming up. 

Diocese of Dunedin Lay Ministry Training Day - February
RE:GEN on Tour - February
Messy Church Conference - February
SCOPE - March - October
Intergenerate Conference in Sydney - June
Scripture Union WAY2GO - May
Godly Play - Wellington (June) & Auckland (July)

The ABBEY - Wellington (August)
Flexi Learn "Growing intergenerational church" - online paper with St John's College. Regional delivery, organised by Diana from Strandz - Nov & Dec.

Useful Websites

There is no point in recreating the wheel so have a look at these websites for inspiration, support and resources. 

RESOURCED
STRANDZ
Anglican Schools Office
Anglican Children
Youth Ministry Great Games

I look forward to working with you all this coming year. If you have any ideas, thoughts or just want a talk please be in touch.

John Graveston
Anglican Diocese of Dunedin
Child, Youth and Family Educator