http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.youth.cccnz.nz en-us Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:08:57 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/post/83899/looking-back-to-look-forward-five-lessons-ive-learnt-through-a-pandemic/ - by Matt Meek, Youth Pastor: Riccarton Community Church, Christchurch Relationally deep programmes are comparatively easy to adapt Throughout the pandemic, youth ministry has for many churches been one part of church life that has suffered the least. Even when “online” hasn’t been as good as the real thing, young people who have a deep relational connection to each other and to those who disciple them, have remained connected. The lesson learnt here is to invest even more heavily in deve... Mon, 13 Jun 2022 10:25:28 +1200 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/#post83899 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/post/82214/caring-for-our-volunteers/ Recent reports about one church’s alleged treatment of interns are alarming but while extreme, such poor treatment is sadly not unusual. Over the years I’ve seen and heard of some disturbing mistreatment of young people who have undertaken internships in churches and for Christian organisations. Most recently, some of our own church’s interns came back from a block course shocked at the stories they heard from other interns. Some had even told them they would never work for a church after ... Wed, 27 Apr 2022 10:27:32 +1200 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/#post82214 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/post/78779/characteristics-of-an-effective-youth-ministry-28-communication/ Good lines of communication exist between the youth ministry and all interested parties. So on twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan the king’s secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written exactly as Mordecai dictated. It was sent to the Jews and to the highest officers, the governors, and the nobles of all the 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. (Esther 8:9)     We live in a time in which communication is easier than ever before. In Biblica... Tue, 01 Mar 2022 11:12:30 +1300 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/#post78779 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/post/74761/characteristics-of-an-effective-youth-ministry-27-database/ An accurate database of useful information for all young people and parents is kept and maintained. Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. (2 Timothy 4:19-21)     If you’ve ever set out to read the Bible from cover to cover it w... Mon, 29 Nov 2021 11:47:56 +1300 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/#post74761 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/post/74473/characteristics-of-an-effective-youth-ministry-26-curriculum/ There is an intentional long and short-term approach to planning a curriculum. You shall teach [these commands] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:7)     If you were to ask your child’s schoolteacher what they intended to teach in the coming year and they replied, “I’m not sure. We’ll just take it week by week”, you would rightly have some concer... Thu, 18 Nov 2021 15:36:32 +1300 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/#post74473 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/post/71449/characteristics-of-a-healthy-youth-ministry-25-planning/ Programmes and events are well planned by a team of leaders with tasks delegated and shared. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it. (Luke 14:28)     I started leading a youth ministry as a volunteer. All week I worked a full-time job and when Saturday arrived I would sit down to plan a programme for the following day. At that time there was not much in the way of youth ministry materials availa... Thu, 09 Sep 2021 14:28:15 +1200 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/#post71449 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/post/70672/characteristics-of-a-healthy-youth-ministry-24-excellence/ Programmes are prepared and run to a high standard and effort is made to continually improve their quality. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23) Amidst the pressures, challenges and expectations of youth ministry, it’s easy to forget what a privilege it is to serve God. If in the world’s eyes, we were called to a position of great responsibility we would do all we could to ensure our work was done to the very best ... Tue, 24 Aug 2021 10:00:14 +1200 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/#post70672 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/post/69629/characteristics-of-a-healthy-youth-ministry-23-missional/ Young people understand the importance of mission and are engaged in service and evangelism. But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14) Central to the gospel message is the concept of mission. Jesus left His place of power and privilege to become one of us, serving those He met and giving His life as a ransom for all (Philippians... Tue, 10 Aug 2021 09:52:38 +1200 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/#post69629 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/post/68669/characteristics-of-a-healthy-youth-ministry-22-appropriate/ Programming is effective in meeting the needs of those at various stages of maturity and Christian growth. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready. (1 Corinthians 3:2)     In my first year as a volunteer leader of a youth ministry, one girl stopped coming to our youth group. When I talked with her she told me how she had started going to another youth group and had made a commitment to follow... Tue, 13 Jul 2021 10:15:54 +1200 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/#post68669 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/post/68202/characteristics-of-a-healthy-youth-ministry-21-comprehensive/ The youth programme seeks to build well-rounded disciples through Bible study, fellowship, worship and prayer. All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)     As we have seen previously a key purpose of any youth ministry is to make disciples. This should be kept at the forefront of our minds as we put together our youth programme. But just what is a discipl... Tue, 06 Jul 2021 15:04:03 +1200 http://www.youth.cccnz.nz/blog/#post68202