In truth, I’m actually thrilled to say that Graham Stanton has agreed to join the team of resident bloggers at sydneyanglicans.net.

Graham and I will share the Tuesday slot, with some guest writers from time to time, as we seek to keep raising the profile of youth and children’s ministry in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, and to work at strengthening all of us involved in this vital work.

Graham’s first piece is lots of fun, with some interesting observations and comments about the nature of blogging and bloggers.

Check it out at www.sydneyanglicans.net/ministry/modernministry/hi_im_new_here/

I’m off to speak at the ‘Real Hope’ mission in Tamworth on the 9th and 10th of November this year. Details here at christianitytoday.com.

I will be speaking to the youth on the Friday night, then speaking to all ages at the Saturday night outreach event. I will also be conducting a training seminar on youth ministry in the afternoon.

One particular area in which we see his creativity is in music. Music has the power to move people in a way that words fail to achieve. It can lift us to new heights, and take us on a journey to places unexpected.

At the 2004 TWIST Music Conference, Mike Raiter spoke of the power of the song. In referring to the wonderful Colin Buchanan concert the night before, he said that because of his gift of music, Colin could have taken our crowd anywhere. “But”, he observed, “aren’t we thankful that he took us to God!”

We know the power of music. We use it every week to proclaim God’s praises. Yet, we want to make sure we use this powerful tool to achieve the best possible outcomes.

That’s why it’s important our musicians are well trained. That’s why the TWIST Music Conference is such an important event for our musicians.

Registrations close Monday night, and the conference begins the Saturday after. Don’t miss out on stimulating teaching from Mike Raiter, terrific congregational music from some of Australia’s most gifted musos, and invaluable hands-on training in many great workshops.

Full details at www.twist.org.au. Don’t miss out!

As has been the custom of the past four years, I continue to teach the DM211 ‘Youth and the Churches’ Diploma of Theology subject at Youthworks College.

This 30-hour course provides a detailed overview of youth ministry, from foundations and strategy to practical hints and techniques.

I’ve been reminded that ‘intensive’ doesn’t just describe the method of lesson delivery! Preparing for and teaching these lectures takes lots of time and energy. However, as always, they have been very rewarding.

This year I am recording the lectures with the intention of producing a book based on some of the material I have presented. The only problem is that 30 hours equates to about 90 hours of typing. Look out for the blisters on my fingers sometime in March!

As always, January and February are the biggest months for youth ministry training. Since the start of the year I have delivered training from Katoomba to Nowra, and everywhere in between!

The year began with two big Mondays at KYLC (Katoomba Youth Leadership Conference) where I trained all of the first year delegates on the Essentials of Youth Ministry. http://www.kylc.kcc.org.au This was followed by training at the Youthworks LiT (Leaders in Training) Conference in Nowra. http://www.lit.youthworks.net

As always, I have also spent two big weeks teaching the Australian College of Theology (A.C.T.) Diploma of Theology Course in youth ministry–Youth in the Churches (DM211) at Youthworks College. 30 hours of youth ministry for youth ministers. Details at http://www.college.youthworks.net

In addition, I have spoken at the Youthworks Scripture in Schools Conference at Dapto, plus delivered training in at the annual Salvation Army youth and children’s ministry training conference.

Thanks to God for the opportunity to train around 800 people throughout Sydney!

It was a great thrill to be a part of the TWIST Music Conference last weekend. This important event provides training and encouragement for people involved with music ministry in their local church.

During the weekend, I MC’d the main sessions (including the special live recording on the Saturday night for the upcoming EMU Music Live CD). I also conducted training sessions on the topics “Youth Ministry and Music” and “Rethinking Church”.

To read more about the conference, check out the recent article in sydneyanglicans.net titled “TWIST – but don’t shout.” You can also visit the official TWIST website at www.twist.org.au

In addition to the two days per week at Youthworks College, studying a ‘Diploma-Lite’ course, it includes practical ministry experience at a church or a school. It also features a one month short term mission experience to Africa, as well as opportunities to serve as a leader on several of the Youthworks holiday and Horizon school camps.

Whilst I will continue to train and advise youth leaders and ministers, my new role as Year 13 Director will occupy half of my week, as I prepare, promote, and pastor the program, as I preach and teach the Scriptures to the Year 13ers during lectures, chapel, and other informal opportunities.

Due to my increased load, I will no longer be the youth ministry trainer/adviser for the Anglican region of Georges River. However, I will continue to focus upon those in the South Sydney region. For those outside these regions (and in non-Anglican denominations), I will still be available to consult and/or train on a case-by-case basis.

For more details visit http://www.year13.youthworks.net

Organisers say TWIST (The Word In Song Together) has taken everyone by surprise.

Philip Percival, director of EMU Music, remembers his original planning discussion with Cat Reimer, then coordinator of Youthworks Holiday Camps.

“Cat suggested we run a simple music camp – and three years later it’s grown to become the most important event on the Australian evangelical music calendar,” he says.

Cat and Philip joined forces with Jodie McNeill (Youthworks youth ministry trainer) and Edwina Soh to create the TWIST Conference, a joint venture of Anglican Youthworks and EMU Music.

The growth of the conference has caused exciting problems.

“In our first year”, Edwina reflects, “we filled Blue Gum Lodge at Springwood with 150 people.

“Last year we grew to nearly 400, filling the whole Youthworks Port Hacking conference site.”

Continued growth means moving this year’s conference to a new location.

“To solve the problem, we’ve moved to Trinity Grammar School,” Cat explains.

“We will miss the residential nature, but we simply need more seats!” she says.

This year’s keynote speaker is Bryson Smith, minister at Dubbo Presbyterian, and lyricist of well-loved songs such as Consider Christ and Nothing Can I boast In.

Mr McNeil says one of conference’s greatest strengths is the ministry training focus.

“It is great to join together to think theologically about the place of music in the gathering of God’s people,” he says.

“Not only can people attend practical workshops to improve their song leading or their playing, but they can also be trained in how to use music in youth or children’s ministry, and how to correctly understand the Bible’s teaching on church and worship.”

A highlight of the conference will be the Saturday night live recording of the new EMU Music album.

Full details can be found at the TWIST website or by phoning 02 9692 9944 or 1800 688 874.

This article originally appeared in www.sydneyanglicans.net.

February has seen the kick-off of Youthworks College for 2005. I taught the first week of the Youth Ministry 1 intensive course, and then the second week of the Youth Minsitry 2 intensive course.

This week I began to teach the Youthworks College Ministry Skills Certificate, a weekly course designed to help students learn practical skills in youth ministry. The subjects include financial management, OH&S, small group techniques, public speaking and more!

For details of Youthworks College, visit http://www.college.youthworks.net

Over two weeks in January I again had the privilege of training around 500 people in the foundations of youth ministry. This training took place during two fine conferences, KYLC (Katoomba Youth Leadership Conference) and LIT (Leaders in Training).

At KYLC I delivered two training sessions to the Strand One delegates, on the topic “Essentials of Evangelical Youth Ministry”, which covered the basics of ministry, and a presentation of my ‘Dual Action’ youth ministry strategy.

At LIT I delivered similar material in two different sessions, the first at the first timers, and a longer two-hour session for those coming for the second year.

I can think of no better way to train up your future and current church leaders than these two great conferences. LIT is aimed especially at upper-high school aged students (years 10 to 12), and KYLC is aimed more at students who have completed their years at school.

Further details of these great conferences can be found at http://kylc.kcc.org.au and http://www.conferences.youthworks.net