The Resource

08/09/2026

Top Tips for Children's, Youth and Family Ministers.
TIP TEN. Talk.

Yep, talk – be honest about where you are at and what is going on.

Be frank with those closest to you, your highs and your lows.

If things are going very wrong at church, some places will tell you that you CAN’T talk to anyone about it – nobody – not even your partner (if you have one), don’t take it as read.

Seek legal advice (see point 1) if you are facing redundancy or disciplinary actions then your church should :�–
- follow their process (they should have one and you should know what it is!)�
- meet with you at least once to discuss�
- give you information!

Don’t carry things yourself, don’t walk around feeling that it all rests on you – have trusted people around you that you can talk to.

If you don’t think you have those – get in touch, drop me an email to [email protected] and let's grab a zoom.

Talk stuff through, share your aches and you dreams – even just speaking stuff out loud to someone else can make a difference to your perspective and how you feel about a situation.

We can sometimes confuse being “set apart for God” with being “set apart from people” – this is nonsense and a mentality about being in ministry that needs to be broken.

We are all vulnerable and weak vessels – in daily need of God’s strength and power to get through – and – whatever our leadership role, we need each other, we need people we can share the load with!

Talk!!

08/09/2026

Yep, the Flourish podcast is BACK!

Check back on Monday next week for the link and details!!

07/09/2026

Top Tips for Children's, Youth and Family Ministers.
TIP NINE. God anoints, people appoint.

God doesn’t make mistakes, he has called you and gifted you – whether your church values you or not, whether you are seen as part of the leadership team or “just staff”.

People appoint to roles, but they don’t determine who you are.

Being made redundant is rough – I know from personal experience. However, if our entire identity and sense of value is determined by this particular role we are fulfilling at this very moment and redundancy does come along it can feel like the end of the world.

I went through a process of asking myself, and asking God, “Is this what I’m for?” Sometimes we can feel taken for granted – yes, we’ve been appointed to a role – but we have very little say, we aren’t listened to and are sometimes the last to hear about changes that impact the children or young people!

This is soul destroying if we allow it to be – BUT, we aren’t the role. We bring who we are and what we have been given by God to the work we do and ultimately, we do it for Him and in His strength. God sees all that we do, whether our line manager or church congregation or even our young people (!) notice.

04/09/2026

Top Tips for Children's, Youth and Family Ministers.
TIP EIGHT. If you are required to be there - it's work!

I’m often told by salaried workers that their Sunday morning ministry is a “gift” to the church & doesn’t count in their hours. It is wrong.

If you are required to do it, it is work – only you get to decide what you will “gift” (otherwise, you know – it isn’t one). There might be things you are expected to do when you start at a church as a salaried worker – BUT, if it is not part of your ministry role you should get to choose what that looks like.

Sunday’s, where you are “on duty” whether you are running a session or preaching or not IS a work day. Being required to be at a monthly prayer meeting on a Saturday is part of your role as a senior member the church staff team – not an optional extra.

If it is optional – then you get to choose. When you are encouraged to “find ways to serve” remember that everything you are doing is service – that is your calling, not just your job. What you gift to the church in terms of “extras” is up to you.

03/09/2026

Top Tips for Children's, Youth and Family Ministers.
TIP SEVEN. Take guilt free time off.

This is linked with the previous top tip. Take your time off AND take time off in lieu for residentials and ultra busy seasons like Christmas and Easter.

If you work more than your hours you might feel you can’t do this (another reason Top Tip 6 matters!)

I don’t know that there is a salaried worker that doesn’t feel guilty about taking time off – whether that is their weekly day off or a holiday.

We might work for a leader or a church where there is a pressure to constantly be seen to be 'doing' – where looking busy is important in and of itself regardless of whether what we are doing is fruitful!

Young people don’t arrive in an in box where you then process them and pop then in the out box all done. The work is never finished – but you will be if you don’t take your breaks!

03/09/2026

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH MINISTRY.

This month it is 40 years since I began working with children and young people. In September 1986 I began this exciting journey - check out my latest article to see what I've learnt along the way that has kept me going!

Oh, and it would be lovely if you subscribed too :)

things I have learnt along the way . . .

02/09/2026

Do join in with this piece of work from my friends at Frontier Youth Trust if you can.

Get involved! We have launched a research project to get a snapshot of what christian youth work beyond the church looks like. Complete the survey today and share your views. https://forms.gle/GGXdB6kEz8UbNpVNA
Link in bio

02/09/2026

Top Tips for Children's, Youth and Family Ministers.
TIP SIX. Work your hours!

A majority of those I know in salaried ministry don’t – they work WAY more. The thing is, you aren’t paid for it. A tiny percentage of salaried workers are on the equivalent of an ordained ministers stipend (get a house, council tax, water rates paid).

When you work “over” your hours – and aren’t paid brilliantly anyway – it is super stressful + because you are passionate about ministry with children and young people, what happens when you want to start something new?

Leave space IN your hours for more. I’ve focused on the need to leave space for more, because there is always more we could do – but, I could just as importantly have said leave space for you and leave space for others.

When family and friendships regularly have to take a “hit” during so called “time off” because we have a ministry commitment - we are doing too much. If you want to be in it for the long haul, setting boundaries on your work hours, and sticking to them is vital!

01/09/2026

Top Tips for Children's, Youth and Family Ministers.
TIP FIVE. Give Yourself Away.

Because 38% of salaried children's and youth minsters have been doing this for less than 3 years.

If you have been around for longer, hang out with others less experienced, share what you know, be a support for those around you – you’ll be amazed at what you receive in return.

I can honestly say that adding value to others is one of the greatest blessings of ministry. Taking my eyes off my own work and stuff to see what God is doing through the time and effort of others and, in whatever small way I can, encouraging them.

It is good for your soul – it reminds you that this thing called ministry is not all about you.

Give where you can, we are not in competition with each other we are brothers and sisters and we should all be in this for the Kingdom and for the glory of Jesus!

28/08/2026

Top Tips for Children's, Youth and Family Ministers.
TIP FOUR. Lead Yourself.

Your leadership & development is likely to matter more to you than to even the most diligent line manager or church leader.

Read widely, listen to podcasts, network with peers, develop spiritual disciplines – investing in YOU matters for longevity.

I’ve been excited in the past when I have worked in different contexts only to be disappointed. The time promised with a line manager doesn’t happen, the development opportunities don’t appear – space to grow as a leader evaporates in the hard day to day of just trying to stay on top and get things done!

So – lead yourself, invest in yourself. Reading has been key for me – the latest ministry books with a smattering of the classics – it’s funny what is so often repeated, just in a more contemporary cover!

Conversation with others is so good – peer to peer sharing the journey. If you can, get yourself to something like the Youthscape National Youth Ministry Weekend (ideally this should be paid for see Top Tip 3!)