Are you in charge of a team or desiring to see leaders around you develop into their full potential? In this session we’ll look at practical steps for developing other leaders with intentionality and purpose.

The Your Story research project has surveyed over 400 young people around Australia and discovered much about what is shaping their faith. Part of that survey focused on the influence of groups and institutions such as local congregations, youth groups and Christian schools. While there is some very encouraging insights there are also many sobering reflections from young people.

This roundtable follows on from the two Keynotes offered by Graham Stanton and Rowan Lewis than kicked off Amplify 2023 examining some of the findings of Your Story. In this session you will have the opportunity to discuss these findings with other leaders as well as listen to the voices of young people reflecting upon their experience of Christian groups and how it has affected their faith.

Author Andrew Root has drawn on the work of Charles Taylor around the secular age we live in. We will explore some of his thoughts, and how that might affect the reason we do things and the way we might do ministry.

A workshop for Leaders of Leaders looking at the big picture behind the inclusion of children with special needs. Looking at why we should include ALL children and developing a toolbox of ready to go strategies.

The last year has seen emotive and decisive discussions around our nation's Indigenous peoples. In this session, we will seek to better understand the culture and perspectives of our First Australian peoples, by first taking some time to better understand our own cultural story and perspectives. As fellow Australians together, it is vital we persist in grappling with our cultural differences, and see - with God's help - to grow in love and respect for each other.

It’s the little things that matter to little people.

There is more than just teaching them or running another program for them. If we want to leave a lasting impact on kids you need to make a connection with them that lasts and makes relevant the things that we teach them. Help them to make connections from their world to God's Big Story.

We will look at ways to connect with kids, what that connection looks and sounds like, and ways to become a genuine kid connector?

This interactive elective will discuss why intergenerational ministry is important, what intergenerational ministry is and the biblical basis for being intergenerational. We’ll also explore how your faith community can move towards being an intergenerational faith community in all aspects of the church life.

We all know what it is like to have a song stuck in our head and not be able to get it out. Imagine helping kids (and adults and ourselves) to have that same experience with Memory verses and songs from God's Word.
This session will be a hands on, fun and practical session helping you choose and teach faithful and Biblical and Memorable songs and Bible verses.
Applicable for all ages AND for use in RI and church.

Phil Togwell (International Director for Prayer Spaces in Schools) and Sue Allison ( National co ordinator for Prayer Spaces in Schools) will share the heart and vision for Prayer Spaces in Schools while encouraging you to think about how this may take shape in your context.

You may leave this session wrapped in toilet roll [clean!] or soaked but you will learn how to make sure the word boring never describes your ministry. Packed with exciting, easy, low or no cost ideas on how to engage and connect your children so the message of the bible becomes alive and real and fun to them. Discover how to upgrade your story telling, memory verses, games, crazy quizzes and even behaviour management strategies sure to win your kids hearts. You will also leave with a booklet containing all the session ideas and more.

Have you been asked to write a devotion for Youth and aren't sure where to start? Join me for a crash course on how to prepare and structure a Youth Devotion using some simple tricks and structures.

Our kids are up against it! While family life is hectic and there can be many pressures, there are also ways we can weave faith into our daily rhythms that have a strong impact on the lives of our kids. When parents communicate that our God is bigger than any challenges we may face, lives can be changed. Trace is able to share down-to-earth, biblical ways that we can communicate and pass on faith to our kids. As the biggest influencers of the faith formation of kids, empowering and equipping our parents is an essential element of church-wide discipleship.

In 2024 GodSpace Yellow invites children to Explore what life with God is all about. GodSpace is a curriculum for 4-12 year olds designed for SRE/RI and beyond. This elective will introduce the theme, lessons and resources for GodSpace Yellow 2024 and provide tips to encourage children in your context to discover what a life of faith might look like for them today.

As a leader, some of the changes you need to make are relatively straightforward. Other changes are more difficult – and tend to require changes in people’s attitudes, values, and behaviours. This session will address those more difficult changes and provide you with a framework, tools, and ideas to be more effective in leading adaptive changes in Ministry.

Puppets (done well) are one of the most effective tools we have to help share the good news of Jesus with kids (and adults). This elective will give you the basic tools to begin (or grow in) utilising this great form of ministry.
It will be loads of fun, and very hands on/in.

Telling Bible stories is a non-confrontational way of sharing our faith. Instead of inviting arguments, it invites people to see a glimpse of God's big story. In this elective, we'll explore tips for telling a Bible story that is simple, accurate, and memorable. We'll also think about ways to help people reflect on and learn from Bible stories.

A brief look into the current state of mental health in Australia and exploring how this is affecting children, young people, and families.  Building on this we will look at some beginning strategies that participants may find helpful in their contexts.

Leading and caring for the children in our ministries that are neurodivergert (Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourettes’s syndrome) can be tricky at times. This workshop will look at practical strategies to assist in creating a caring and helpful environment to assist us as we lead our children to meet Jesus. This workshop will include strategies more for leaders who are ‘on the ground’.

Diverse gender and sexuality is a hot potato topic in Christian circles and many of us find it difficult to know what to talk about with young people when the topic comes up. In this session, we will look at some of the techniques Jesus used in his spiritual conversations and explore how they might help us in these tricky conversations.

At Southside we have been trying to help our families to have conversations around the Bible reading for the coming Sunday. This helps us to remember that families are the key place for faith formation.

It’s the little things that matter to little people.

There is more than just teaching them or running another program for them. If we want to leave a lasting impact on kids you need to make a connection with them that lasts and makes relevant the things that we teach them. Help them to make connections from their world to God's Big Story.

We will look at ways to connect with kids, what that connection looks and sounds like, and ways to become a genuine kid connector?

Drawing on her experience, Jess will host a conversation to explore and profile resources for Intergenerational Worship, Discipleship and Faith at Home.

She will share some of her favourites, some she has helped create, and what she looks for when choosing and curating resources, and why.

The Bible is God’s Big Story! A story of love, failure, rescue, redemption, grace and promise. It's a story that goes before us, includes and invite us, and a story that goes beyond us. In the Bible we see lives transformed through encountering God and following Jesus. However, the world of our kids can be so different to the places, the experiences and the contexts of the stories we share. How do we engage our 21st century kids with the Bible in real, relevant and life-changing ways?

Several recent studies reveal why some kids become disengaged from the church or why faith doesn't seem relevant for them. We will delve into some solutions which are adaptable for every church context. Everyone can make a difference in a church community to help kids feel engaged. This elective is designed for all kids ministry volunteers as well as those who lead the ministry. You will leave with very practical ideas to help you increase the impact of your ministry. Tracy is passionate about ensuring we create thriving church communities where children feel loved and feel they belong as they grow in their faith. She has been a Kids and Families Pastor for 15 years and Lectures in Kids Ministry for the Queensland Baptist Theological College, Malyon.

Arguably, your early years ministry is the most foundational and critical ministry in the life of your church. Join us as we unpack the 'why' we provide a ministry space for young children and explore how to create an engaging and exciting space/program that will see preschoolers’ hearts set on fire for Jesus.

Understanding some of the factors that cause behaviour is a beginning step in shaping appropriate response strategies for helping children to manage their behaviour and keep you in control. Practical components of the session include some first step strategies, preparatory checklists and a 10 Point Discipline Plan to help you help a child to navigate through their challenging behaviours to bring positive results.

When it comes to spiritual conversations, Jesus was a true master. In this session, we will explore 7 tools that Jesus used to amazing effect in his conversations and apply them to the issues and concerns facing today's young people.

A brief look into the current state of mental health in Australia and exploring how this is affecting children, young people, and families.  Building on this we will look at some beginning strategies that participants may find helpful in their contexts.

A facilitated discussion between three Christians, of African, Asian and Australian decent, about their experience in life and ministry in Australia. God made all people in his image, and sees us all as beautifully made, equally in need of a Saviour and saved by grace, and each with unique gifts, perspectives and resources needed in his body, the church. In this session we will laugh and maybe cry at some of the stories that our minority-culture brothers and sisters find in our Aussie churches, and explore the challenges and opportunities that lie before us in our increasingly multicultural country.

The success of any ministry relies heavily on the health of the leadership team. There are many challenges to maintaining a healthy team. Everything from taking the right steps to form a team through to keeping a team focused, motivated and passionate over the long run. This elective will give you practical insight and tips into starting a team well and maintaining the health of a team over many years so that your ministry will last and have true kingdom impact.

Sometimes families struggle with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Drawing on her experience of working with families, and principles from her books Comfort in the Darkness and the upcoming book Comfort in Times of Uncertainty, Rachel will discuss some key principles in empowering parents and carers to coach their children spiritually through the common difficulties families face.

A brief exploration of some of the important keys that will help you to match your expectations of what children can understand and do with the diverse and creative range of learning experiences available. Unlocking this process by using these keys will empower your communication and build deeper connections.

Music can shape cultural identity, build community and help young people to feel a sense of belonging and being understood. During this session we will explore how to use the tool of music to engage young people better, build stronger relationships and help develop fun and inclusive communities.

This session will give you an understanding of the Connect B cycle (B1 and B2), taking a bird's eye view of this curriculum. Tim will focus looking at the curriculum over the whole year, then term by term, giving helpful advice along the way for delivering these lessons effectively to students.

In 2024 GodSpace Yellow invites children to Explore what life with God is all about. GodSpace is a curriculum for 4-12 year olds designed for SRE/RI and beyond. This elective will introduce the theme, lessons and resources for GodSpace Yellow 2024 and provide tips to encourage children in your context to discover what a life of faith might look like for them today.

Helping young people discover their identity in Christ is a key goal of youth ministry. However, while we might know a lot about what it means to be ‘in Christ’ we often know very little about identity.
What is identity? How does identity form? How does our personal identity relate to our spiritual identity?
This workshop will help you to understand the science of identity development and how a youth ministry can help young people thrive as human beings as well as members of God’s family.

Neurodiverse people think and operate a little differently. This term is used when describing people with autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and others. Neurodiverse youth often struggle fitting in at church and school. This session will provide some practical ideas on how to help them.

So you find yourself with a young but passionate bunch volunteers. How do you develop them into more competent and more capable leaders that will support and then out-lead you? How do you make them into a team that is humming along and kicking goals? In this session we’ll discover some way to intentionally develop your team in a Christ-like way.

Visual, creative, exciting ideas to encourage your children to pray. Fun and effective ideas for families, church, RE, camps, bringing an understanding and acceptance of prayer into their everyday experience.

How can you hold an audience without a rope? Come and discover the key elements in the art of storytelling that will help to connect with your audience, maintain their attention and create a special space for God to touch people’s hearts and minds. Such is the power of story and it is as easy as A, B, C & D.

This exciting session will help you think through how you can ask questions in a way that encourages students to think more deeply about what they are learning, and give more reflective answers as they engage with God’s word.

Whether a Professional muso or someone who can't hold a tune, using and teaching memory verses and music are 2 of the most effective ways of teaching kids God's truth. How do you do it well? This is relevant for any children's ministry, including Religious Instruction in schools, Kids Church, Kids Clubs, Church services, etc...

Sexual and gender diversity and identity diversity continues to grow and become more complex, and historically, some Christian individuals and faith communities have found this difficult to navigate. This workshop will provide the opportunity to compassionately explore this as a personal and societal matter, give some insight to language often used in the dialogue, and explore ways that Jesus engaged with people around contentious topics, so that people who want to follow in the way of Jesus can implement similar principles and seek to love ourselves and our neighbours with integrity.

With so many young people losing their faith and leaving the church a crucial leadership skill is helping young people when they have doubts and questions concerning their faith. Too often we are quick to talk and slow to listen. This workshop will unpack a really helpful framework to help you to feel confident working with young people as they navigate the hard times in their faith.

As a leader, some of the changes you need to make a relatively straightforward. Other changes are more difficult – and tend to require changes in people's attitudes, values, and behaviours. This session will address those more difficult changes and provide you with a framework, tools, and ideas to be more effective in leading adaptive changes in ministry.

It's amazing how hard it can be to talk about your faith authentically and simply. In 1 Peter 3:15, we are encouraged to always be ready. This workshop will help you hone your communication so that other people understand the Good News you're sharing.

All parents spiritually disciple their children, even if they have little or no faith. How can we as the church wade into those conversations with families on the fringes of our churches and encourage them in their spiritual role in the lives of their children? This session will cover key truths parents and carers need, how to position ourselves well to support them, and some practical steps to enable every family to nurture the spiritual lives of their children.

So you find yourself with a young but passionate bunch volunteers. How do you develop them into more competent and more capable leaders that will support and then out-lead you? How do you make them into a team that is humming along and kicking goals? In this session we’ll discover some way to intentionally develop your team in a Christ-like way.

Helping young people discover their identity in Christ is a key goal of youth ministry. However, while we might know a lot about what it means to be ‘in Christ’ we often know very little about identity.
What is identity? How does identity form? How does our personal identity relate to our spiritual identity?
This workshop will help you to understand the science of identity development and how a youth ministry can help young people thrive as human beings as well as members of God’s family.

Understanding some of the factors that cause behaviour is a beginning step in shaping appropriate response strategies for helping children to manage their behaviour and keep you in control. Practical components of the session include some first step strategies, preparatory checklists and a 10 Point Discipline Plan to help you help a child to navigate through their challenging behaviours to bring positive results.

So you find yourself with a young but passionate bunch volunteers. How do you develop them into more competent and more capable leaders that will support and then out-lead you? How do you make them into a team that is humming along and kicking goals? In this session we’ll discover some way to intentionally develop your team in a Christ-like way.

“Why did God let my mum die?”, “Why didn’t God stop the tsunami?”, “Why does God make some bodies that don’t work properly?”. These big questions are just a sample of the many questions that children ask and need to find some answers for as they struggle to make sense of life and faith. How we respond and journey with children in the conversations that follow is of vital importance for children to grow in their understanding of God and their own faith.

How can you hold an audience without a rope? Come and discover the key elements in the art of storytelling that will help to connect with your audience, maintain their attention and create a special space for God to touch people’s hearts and minds. Such is the power of story and it is as easy as A, B, C & D.

Practical and powerful ministry moment tools to help kids practice talking to God, hearing from Him and responding to Him.

The world is changing at an exponential pace. Technology is not going away. Denial is not a strategy that is going to work! While the challenge seems huge, come and explore some basic principles that undergird any strategy to help young people and parents to navigate through a digital world in a healthy way. Being informed is the start of the journey.

The success of any ministry relies heavily on the health of the leadership team. There are many challenges to maintaining a healthy team. Everything from taking the right steps to form a team through to keeping a team focused, motivated and passionate over the long run. This elective will give you practical insight and tips into starting a team well and maintaining the health of a team over many years so that your ministry will last and have true kingdom impact.

Kara E. Powell is chief of leadership formation at Fuller, executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), and professor of youth and family ministry. She completed her PhD in Practical Theology from Fuller Seminary with a focus on pastoral role expectations in 2000, an MDiv from Bethel Theological Seminary in 1994, and a BA in human biology, graduating with honors from Stanford University in 1991. Kara also serves as a Youth and Family Strategist for Orange. Named by Christianity Today as one of “50 Women to Watch,” Kara is the author or coauthor of numerous books. Kara lives in Pasadena with her husband, Dave, who is a medical device engineer, and their children, Nathan, Krista, and Jessica.

A2B training and resources are for children’s and youth workers who desire to be a positive influence on the life journeys of young people. A2B is about personal growth and realising potential within relationship. It is characterized by fun, engagement and respect. A2B encourages questions, doubts, discussion and reflection.

A2B recourses available for purchase.

As leaders we pour so much of ourselves out to others it is important that we ensure that our cups are being filled also.

The great news is that as leaders we can be continually filled as we pour out. Proverbs 11:25 tells us "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."

Join us as we explore Gods promises to fill and refresh those who pour out.

How can we respond when questions are asked about issues that are potentially contentious. A suggested response will be discussed that helps the questioner think more deeply about the issue to set them on a path of discovery rather than providing a simple answer.

Would you like to reduce compassion fatigue and emotional burnout? Learn how to use the empowerment model as you coach those you lead to take responsibility of their own problems. This practical session will help equip you with clear strategies to empower people, no matter how young or old, to take joyful responsibly as you seek to love them on purpose.

“Why did God let my mum die?”, “Why didn’t God stop the tsunami?”, “Why does God make some bodies that don’t work properly?”. These big questions are just a sample of the many questions that children ask and need to find some answers for as they struggle to make sense of life and faith. How we respond and journey with children in the conversations that follow is of vital importance for children to grow in their understanding of God and their own faith.

Would you like to reduce compassion fatigue and emotional burnout? Learn how to use the empowerment model as you coach those you lead to take responsibility of their own problems. This practical session will help equip you with clear strategies to empower people, no matter how young or old, to take joyful responsibly as you seek to love them on purpose.

Very often we act as the 'fount of all knowledge' and forget that children are able to read and think and discover Biblical truths for themselves. This kind of engagement requires special preparation that asks the questions, 'What are the kids doing?' and 'What am I doing?'

Connecting kids to Jesus the source of the fruits of the spirit in a group situation needs grace and discipline to develop disciples. I will share some of the strategies, struggles and hopefully inspire you to be a part of developing Godly kids who will walk with Jesus all the days of their lives.

Training and equipping you to help families navigate the pressures of world view family living versus the Kingdom bible view.

Discover the unique opportunities that this challenge provides church leaders today. What can we do to address this trend and how can we create spaces where young people can thrive in their faith rather than turn their backs on it.

In youth ministry we often focus on the needs of the kids in front of us, which is supremely important, but to the neglect of building the next generation of leaders. In this workshop Chris will discuss the fundamentals of coaching the next generation of leaders alongside running your youth group or program. Chris will share some basic tools he uses to frame leadership development for emerging leaders and discuss the balance of time investment to deliver on both youth growth and leader development at the same time.

Living and Loving and bringing Life Cross Culturally- Engaging, Empowering and Effective Cross cultural ministry This is about lived experience. Children becoming ambassadors. Families bridging gaps. Engaging families with diverse cultural backgrounds effectively. How international families are joining together to create a MOSAIC of hope.

When I was a youth leader I dropped my senior pastors son off at his door banged up after coming of his skate board and left without going in. Fast forward 13 years and we are somehow still serving effectively together in church. In this interactive session Rod Holt (my SNR Pastor) and I will explore what to do and maybe not do in order to minister effectively alongside your senior pastor.

Designed for first time school-aged leaders at AMPLIFY. These 2 sessions will give insight into the value of their role as a leader with children and youth as well as practical strategies to use immediately! • How children and young people learn: Switching young people on to learning using Jesus' simple methods. • Teachable Moments: Together we will identify and learn how to use those precious times when young people are open, willing, and ready to discover: matching teachable moments with our understanding of the Bible and our journey as a disciple. • Learning through games: Fun ways to raise curiosity and awareness, a practical session of game and debrief design!

Kids love to have fun! We tend to limit the 'fun' elements of the lesson because we are concerned about kids getting 'silly' and 'disruptive'. But what if we could have focused Bible discovery that was both instructive AND fun! Learn how to do this (and have fun at the same time) in this elective.

Practical ideas and inspiration to use puppets in your ministry to children. How to use hand puppets big and small to help deliver your Bible message. How to write scripts to accompany your puppets.

Training children's workers in praying for, imparting to, and bringing practical proven methods that help children experience God's love.

Young People are passionate about their world. They are engaged most effectively where authentic discipleship occurs. They are longing for connections of deep belonging. They are searching for meaning. They are needing to engage in adventurous purposes. This topic focuses on several highlights Shane has experienced in empowering youth from over 35 years of youth, children's and family work in Australia and Internationally . Highlights will include how marginalised and at risk youth found hope and power for living themselves and then went on to live lives that impacted their friends, their homes, towns and beyond

Games are the cornerstone of youth ministry. To have kids open up and connect we need to know how to setup and maintain a culture of Fun, Openness and Emotional Safety, and games can do all that for us if you know how. In this session Chris will show you some of the tips he was taught on how to run games that can help a group to connect and grow friendships. This will be the funnest 1 hour session of the day!!

Have you ever gotten up to speak in front of an audience and frozen? I certainly have. Communicating a message in whatever form takes practice. I will share practical tips that I have learnt along the way that will help you become a better communicator.

Designed for first time school-aged leaders at AMPLIFY. These 2 sessions will give insight into the value of their role as a leader with children and youth as well as practical strategies to use immediately! • How children and young people learn: Switching young people on to learning using Jesus' simple methods. • Teachable Moments: Together we will identify and learn how to use those precious times when young people are open, willing, and ready to discover: matching teachable moments with our understanding of the Bible and our journey as a disciple. • Learning through games: Fun ways to raise curiosity and awareness, a practical session of game and debrief design!

"Life is Intergenerational; anyone telling you different is selling you something!" I am sure this is what the Dread Pirate Roberts said to Buttercup. Come and ask the question "Why Intergenerational?" Is this just another ministry fad that will be short lived? Or just come and find out who the Dread Pirate Roberts is!

So you find yourself with a young but passionate bunch volunteers. How do you develop them into more competent and more capable leaders that will support and then out-lead you? How do you make them into a team that is humming along and kicking goals? In this session we’ll discover some way to intentionally develop your team in a Christ-like way.

It's amazing how hard it can be to talk about your faith authentically and simply. In 1 Peter 3:15, we are encouraged to always be ready. This workshop will help you hone your communication so that other people understand the Good News you're sharing.

Designed for first time school-aged leaders at AMPLIFY. These 3 sessions will give insight into the value of their role as a leader with children and youth as well as practical strategies to use immediately! • How children and young people learn: Switching young people on to learning using Jesus' simple methods. • Teachable Moments: Together we will identify and learn how to use those precious times when young people are open, willing, and ready to discover: matching teachable moments with our understanding of the Bible and our journey as a disciple. • Learning through games: Fun ways to raise curiosity and awareness, a practical session of game and debrief design!

Asking questions is Jesus' main way of communicating and facilitating transformation in people, but we tend to do a lot of telling and answering instead. Explore the different types of questions and when they are best used, for building relationships, provoking thought and exploring the Bible.

Sometimes families struggle with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Drawing on her experience of working with families, and principles from her books Comfort in the Darkness and the upcoming book Comfort in Times of Uncertainty, Rachel will discuss some key principles in empowering parents and carers to coach their children spiritually through the common difficulties families face.

Arguably, your early years ministry is the most foundational and critical ministry in the life of your church. Join us as we unpack the 'why' we provide a ministry space for young children and explore how to create an engaging and exciting space/program that will see preschoolers’ hearts set on fire for Jesus.

With so many young people losing their faith and leaving the church a crucial leadership skill is helping young people when they have doubts and questions concerning their faith. Too often we are quick to talk and slow to listen. This workshop will unpack a really helpful framework to help you to feel confident working with young people as they navigate the hard times in their faith.

If we go into a remote village in PNG, it would be critical that we applied cross-cultural skills to be able to understand these people and be understood by them. Likewise, if we work with people here in Australia who come from say African or Chinese backgrounds, then again, cross-cultural skills would be really helpful to understand and be understood. But what about engagement with our everyday, Aussie neighbour? How well do we understand "the other" - anyone who is different to us? And how well do you think they understand us when we speak? In this elective we will explore the concept of cross-cultural engagement in everyday ministry settings, picking up some simple skills we hope will improve the ways we meet the needs of children, young people and families, and see a greater impact with the gospel that we share with those who don't know Jesus.

Humanity has been grappling with an invasion of mind. Fear and anxiety have moved in and whilst it is understandable when the world does not feel stable, we know we are made for greater things. This session aims firstly to help understand what is happening in anxious moments for individuals and its effect on relationships. We were designed and created for relationship and anxiety can often dent and damage the ways we connect with others and with God. The pandemic and other world issues have generally intensified feelings of anxiety, confusion and uncertainty. With that in mind, we will also explore lifestyle strategies to inspire thinking around positive connections for improved mental health and support for ourselves and our families as we continue to turn away from fear, uncertainty and constant change and turn towards the Father for His guidance in all circumstances, even when the world continues to show instability.

Designed for first time school-aged leaders at AMPLIFY. These 3 sessions will give insight into the value of their role as a leader with children and youth as well as practical strategies to use immediately! • How children and young people learn: Switching young people on to learning using Jesus' simple methods. • Teachable Moments: Together we will identify and learn how to use those precious times when young people are open, willing, and ready to discover: matching teachable moments with our understanding of the Bible and our journey as a disciple. • Learning through games: Fun ways to raise curiosity and awareness, a practical session of game and debrief design!

This elective is for anyone who is called - or even curious - about doing their ministry at the margins of church and society. In every generation there is a need for disciples of Jesus to go, live, learn from and bless those people in our community who would never walk through the doors of our churches. In this elective, Jim will draw on over a decade of ministry in this area to share the theological imagination and practical steps of ministry at the margins.

Jim Schirmer is a counsellor, educator, church re-former and spiritual mentor who has worked with youth and young adults for over 15 years. He is the author of 'The Way of the Rabbi: Stories of Discipleship from the Gospel of Mark' (Morning Star Publishing).

Diverse gender and sexuality is a hot topic at the moment, particularly in Christian circles. In this session, we will be exploring 7 tools that Jesus used in his spiritual conversations with people and applying them to conversations around diverse gender and sexuality.

Often ministry practitioners who are enthusiastic about intergenerational faith formation become discouraged by the sense that an older traditional congregation will not embrace intergenerational practices. "That would never work in my older congregation..." is a common cry. This workshop explores some of the cultural and spiritual dynamics that block or welcome intergenerational faith. It addresses what is needed in leadership, in resourcing, in healing the past and in developing the theological vision of the community. The presentation with use Australian case studies; research; practical resource samples and key discussion questions to help participants consider the dynamics at work in their own context and find some steps forwards - walking the intergenerational path in peace and joy. Especially suitable for Ministers and Pastors, worship leaders and intergenerational advocates.

Asking questions is Jesus' main way of communicating and facilitating transformation in people, but we tend to do a lot of telling and answering instead. Explore the different types of questions and when they are best used, for building relationships, provoking thought and exploring the Bible.

Understanding some of the factors that cause behaviour is a beginning step in shaping appropriate response strategies for helping children to manage their behaviour and keep you in control. Practical components of the session include some first step strategies, preparatory checklists and a 10 Point Discipline Plan to help you help a child to navigate through their challenging behaviours to bring positive results.

Helping young people discover their identity in Christ is a key goal of youth ministry. However, while we might know a lot about what it means to be ‘in Christ’ we often know very little about identity.
What is identity? How does identity form? How does our personal identity relate to our spiritual identity?
This workshop will help you to understand the science of identity development and how a youth ministry can help young people thrive as human beings as well as members of God’s family.

A facilitated discussion between three Christians, of African, Indian and First Australian decent, about their experience in life and ministry in Australia. God made all people in his image, and sees us all as beautifully made, equally in need of a Saviour and saved by grace, and each with unique gifts, perspectives and resources needed in his body, the church. In this session we will laugh and maybe cry at some of the stories that our minority-culture brothers and sisters find in our Aussie churches, and explore the challenges and opportunities that lie before us in our increasingly multicultural country.

Music can shape cultural identity, build community and help young people to feel a sense of belonging and being understood. During this session we will explore how to use the tool of music to engage young people better, build stronger relationships and help develop fun and inclusive communities.

This elective helps participants think about how different generations can grow in faith together. It will introduce what is meant by ‘intergenerational ministry’ and introduce a tool for gauging a congregation’s current practice. Participants will then take part in an interactive board game to explore some key themes and practices of what it is to be an intergenerational church.

“Why did God let my mum die?”, “Why didn’t God stop the tsunami?”, “Why does God make some bodies that don’t work properly?”. These big questions are just a sample of the many questions that children ask and need to find some answers for as they struggle to make sense of life and faith. How we respond and journey with children in the conversations that follow is of vital importance for children to grow in their understanding of God and their own faith.

Sometimes families struggle with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Drawing on her experience of working with families, and principles from her books Comfort in the Darkness and the upcoming book Comfort in Times of Uncertainty, Rachel will discuss some key principles in empowering parents and carers to coach their children spiritually through the common difficulties families face.

The Bible is God’s Big Story! A story of love, failure, rescue, redemption, grace and promise. It's a story that goes before us, includes and invite us, and a story that goes beyond us. In the Bible we see lives transformed through encountering God and following Jesus. However, the world of our kids can be so different to the places, the experiences and the contexts of the stories we share. How do we engage our 21st century kids with the Bible in real, relevant and life-changing ways?

When it comes to spiritual conversations, Jesus was a true master. In this session, we will explore 7 tools that Jesus used to amazing effect in his conversations and apply them to the issues and concerns facing today's young people.

This elective helps participants think about how different generations can grow in faith together. It will introduce what is meant by ‘intergenerational ministry’ and introduce a tool for gauging a congregation’s current practice. Participants will then take part in an interactive board game to explore some key themes and practices of what it is to be an intergenerational church.

Often ministry practitioners who are enthusiastic about intergenerational faith formation become discouraged by the sense that an older traditional congregation will not embrace intergenerational practices. "That would never work in my older congregation..." is a common cry. This workshop explores some of the cultural and spiritual dynamics that block or welcome intergenerational faith. It addresses what is needed in leadership, in resourcing, in healing the past and in developing the theological vision of the community. The presentation with use Australian case studies; research; practical resource samples and key discussion questions to help participants consider the dynamics at work in their own context and find some steps forwards - walking the intergenerational path in peace and joy. Especially suitable for Ministers and Pastors, worship leaders and intergenerational advocates.

A facilitated discussion between three Christians, of African, Asian and Australian decent, about their experience in life and ministry in Australia. God made all people in his image, and sees us all as beautifully made, equally in need of a Saviour and saved by grace, and each with unique gifts, perspectives and resources needed in his body, the church. In this session we will laugh and maybe cry at some of the stories that our minority-culture brothers and sisters find in our Aussie churches, and explore the challenges and opportunities that lie before us in our increasingly multicultural country.

“Why did God let my mum die?”, “Why didn’t God stop the tsunami?”, “Why does God make some bodies that don’t work properly?”. These big questions are just a sample of the many questions that children ask and need to find some answers for as they struggle to make sense of life and faith. How we respond and journey with children in the conversations that follow is of vital importance for children to grow in their understanding of God and their own faith.

Neurodiverse people think and operate a little differently. This term is used when describing people with autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and others. Neurodiverse youth often struggle fitting in at church and school. This session will provide some practical ideas on how to help them.

Faith formation over faith education We love God, we love kids, and we’re passionate about helping them become lifelong followers of Jesus. But how? What really matters? This elective will help us think about some of the ways we can practically help our kids to be on mission today as part of the body of Christ. Disciples who make disciples.

The Bible is God’s Big Story! A story of love, failure, rescue, redemption, grace and promise. It's a story that goes before us, includes and invite us, and a story that goes beyond us. In the Bible we see lives transformed through encountering God and following Jesus. However, the world of our kids can be so different to the places, the experiences and the contexts of the stories we share. How do we engage our 21st century kids with the Bible in real, relevant and life-changing ways?

Faith formation over faith education We love God, we love kids, and we’re passionate about helping them become lifelong followers of Jesus. But how? What really matters? This elective will help us think about some of the ways we can practically help our kids to be on mission today as part of the body of Christ. Disciples who make disciples.

Sometimes families struggle with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Drawing on her experience of working with families, and principles from her books Comfort in the Darkness and the upcoming book Comfort in Times of Uncertainty, Rachel will discuss some key principles in empowering parents and carers to coach their children spiritually through the common difficulties families face.

You can have great content but unless you keep their attention and children engage with your presentation, it might all come to nothing. Learn simple keys and skills to help your teaching and leading be more engaging in any setting from the class room to Sunday School to Kids Club or a camp. This elective will give you practical understanding and skills ready for application in your ministry setting.

This elective helps participants think about how different generations can grow in faith together. It will introduce what is meant by ‘intergenerational ministry’ and introduce a tool for gauging a congregation’s current practice. Participants will then take part in an interactive board game to explore some key themes and practices of what it is to be an intergenerational church.

The Bible is God’s Big Story! A story of love, failure, rescue, redemption, grace and promise. It's a story that goes before us, includes and invite us, and a story that goes beyond us. In the Bible we see lives transformed through encountering God and following Jesus. However, the world of our kids can be so different to the places, the experiences and the contexts of the stories we share. How do we engage our 21st century kids with the Bible in real, relevant and life-changing ways?

Faith formation over faith education We love God, we love kids, and we’re passionate about helping them become lifelong followers of Jesus. But how? What really matters? This elective will help us think about some of the ways we can practically help our kids to be on mission today as part of the body of Christ. Disciples who make disciples.

Sometimes families struggle with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Drawing on her experience of working with families, and principles from her books Comfort in the Darkness and the upcoming book Comfort in Times of Uncertainty, Rachel will discuss some key principles in empowering parents and carers to coach their children spiritually through the common difficulties families face.

You can have great content but unless you keep their attention and children engage with your presentation, it might all come to nothing. Learn simple keys and skills to help your teaching and leading be more engaging in any setting from the class room to Sunday School to Kids Club or a camp. This elective will give you practical understanding and skills ready for application in your ministry setting.

The Bible is God’s Big Story! A story of love, failure, rescue, redemption, grace and promise. It's a story that goes before us, includes and invite us, and a story that goes beyond us. In the Bible we see lives transformed through encountering God and following Jesus. However, the world of our kids can be so different to the places, the experiences and the contexts of the stories we share. How do we engage our 21st century kids with the Bible in real, relevant and life-changing ways?

Neurodiverse people think and operate a little differently. This term is used when describing people with autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and others. Neurodiverse youth often struggle fitting in at church and school. This session will provide some practical ideas on how to help them.

Kylie Hofer is the Families Minster at Warnbro Community Church in Western Australia, the church she grew up in, and has been serving in for as long as she can remember. Kylie was appointed to the Families Minister role in 2014, and has been faithfully serving her church, growing the ministry team, and journeying with families throughout this time. Her heart is to see her church community of all ages grow closer in their relationship with Christ, build in their service to Him and expand their faith to those around them. Raising disciples who make disciples. Passionate about encouraging, equipping and inspiring leaders, Kylie has built a team to run the Beyond Families Ministry Conference over the last 6 years. Along with her husband and her 2 beautiful children, Kylie and her family seek to honour the Lord in every area of their lives.

Sometimes families struggle with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Drawing on her experience of working with families, and principles from her books Comfort in the Darkness and the upcoming book Comfort in Times of Uncertainty, Rachel will discuss some key principles in empowering parents and carers to coach their children spiritually through the common difficulties families face.

You can have great content but unless you keep their attention and children engage with your presentation, it might all come to nothing. Learn simple keys and skills to help your teaching and leading be more engaging in any setting from the class room to Sunday School to Kids Club or a camp. This elective will give you practical understanding and skills ready for application in your ministry setting.

This elective helps participants think about how different generations can grow in faith together. It will introduce what is meant by ‘intergenerational ministry’ and introduce a tool for gauging a congregation’s current practice. Participants will then take part in an interactive board game to explore some key themes and practices of what it is to be an intergenerational church.

The Bible is God’s Big Story! A story of love, failure, rescue, redemption, grace and promise. It's a story that goes before us, includes and invite us, and a story that goes beyond us. In the Bible we see lives transformed through encountering God and following Jesus. However, the world of our kids can be so different to the places, the experiences and the contexts of the stories we share. How do we engage our 21st century kids with the Bible in real, relevant and life-changing ways?

Faith formation over faith education We love God, we love kids, and we’re passionate about helping them become lifelong followers of Jesus. But how? What really matters? This elective will help us think about some of the ways we can practically help our kids to be on mission today as part of the body of Christ. Disciples who make disciples.

Sometimes families struggle with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Drawing on her experience of working with families, and principles from her books Comfort in the Darkness and the upcoming book Comfort in Times of Uncertainty, Rachel will discuss some key principles in empowering parents and carers to coach their children spiritually through the common difficulties families face.

{r}

The Bible is God’s Big Story! A story of love, failure, rescue, redemption, grace and promise. It's a story that goes before us, includes and invite us, and a story that goes beyond us. In the Bible we see lives transformed through encountering God and following Jesus. However, the world of our kids can be so different to the places, the experiences and the contexts of the stories we share. How do we engage our 21st century kids with the Bible in real, relevant and life-changing ways?

Faith formation over faith education We love God, we love kids, and we’re passionate about helping them become lifelong followers of Jesus. But how? What really matters? This elective will help us think about some of the ways we can practically help our kids to be on mission today as part of the body of Christ. Disciples who make disciples.

Sometimes families struggle with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Drawing on her experience of working with families, and principles from her books Comfort in the Darkness and the upcoming book Comfort in Times of Uncertainty, Rachel will discuss some key principles in empowering parents and carers to coach their children spiritually through the common difficulties families face.

This elective is for anyone who is called - or even curious - about doing their ministry at the margins of church and society. In every generation there is a need for disciples of Jesus to go, live, learn from and bless those people in our community who would never walk through the doors of our churches. In this elective, Jim will draw on over a decade of ministry in this area to share the theological imagination and practical steps of ministry at the margins.

The Bible is God’s Big Story! A story of love, failure, rescue, redemption, grace and promise. It's a story that goes before us, includes and invite us, and a story that goes beyond us. In the Bible we see lives transformed through encountering God and following Jesus. However, the world of our kids can be so different to the places, the experiences and the contexts of the stories we share. How do we engage our 21st century kids with the Bible in real, relevant and life-changing ways?

Faith formation over faith education We love God, we love kids, and we’re passionate about helping them become lifelong followers of Jesus. But how? What really matters? This elective will help us think about some of the ways we can practically help our kids to be on mission today as part of the body of Christ. Disciples who make disciples.

Sometimes families struggle with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Drawing on her experience of working with families, and principles from her books Comfort in the Darkness and the upcoming book Comfort in Times of Uncertainty, Rachel will discuss some key principles in empowering parents and carers to coach their children spiritually through the common difficulties families face.