Source: youthworks.net
What is Youthworks College?
Youthworks college is a specialised theological college which is part of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. Their aim is to be Christ-focussed, Bible-based, missionally-engaged, like most evangelical college’s strive to be. However, they also combine that with culturally-relevant and developmentally-appropriate teaching, that suits the chosen target audience of the student, whether that be youth, children or both.
What courses do they offer?
Diploma Theology (DipTh) Ministry (DipMin) Christian Studies
Advanced Diploma (AdvDip) Theology (AdvDipTh) Ministry (AdvDipMin)
Double Diploma DipTh & DipMin
Double Advanced AdvDipTh & AdvDipMin
Ordination
My Story
In my last year of high school, I heard about Year-13 which is the gap year program ran at the College. I was so excited for it that I saved the money to fly from Karratha in Western Australia, to Sydney (5 times) just so that I could attend the block mode of Year-13.
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After the great year at Year-13, I was working towards becoming an Officer in the Australia Army. However, to cut the story short, God told me that he wanted me to go to continue my theological studies. So I joined Youthworks mid year and spent two years, combining the subjects I studied at Year-13 into the AdvDipTh which normally takes 3 years.
I have found Youthworks to be a very practical and biblically reflective college. It aims to cover the whole bible in two years, which is quite a feat. The lecturers, some of who I now have great friendships with, strive endlessly to make the content interesting, practical, faithful to Scripture as well as in a format that can be explained effectively to young people.
Yes, it does have it’s flaws, as with any college. One that I find mentionable, is that because of the course structure, it’s teaching of in-depth ‘systematic theology’ is limited to two subjects. This may lead some students to feel as though they still need to look into systematic theology. Thankfully there are many great books that can teach that content. One thing that a book would struggle to teach is a practical and biblical way of thinking that penetrates all of life. I love Youthworks because that is what I feel like i’ve gained through being there.
I love Youthworks because I have been taught by those experienced in their fields about how to experience God and his plan through the bible, and i’ve been enthusiastically and critically modelled ministry practices that rival the best theological colleges in the world. Not only that, but I see it as a home which, even if to a small degree, points to the eternal community that will be inaugurated when Christ returns.
Q & A With Jesse Baker and Owen Silvester
To give some other perspectives, I have asked Jesse Baker and Owen Silvester to answer a few questions about why they love Youthworks College. Jesse is the Youth and Children’s Minister at Randwick Presbyterian Church and Owen is the Youth Worker at St. John’s Keiraville. Let’s hear about their experiences.
What has been your involvement with Youthworks College?
Jesse: In 2012 I did the Year 13 Gap Year Program at Youthworks. Then, after great consideration, I decided to enrol myself to study the DipMin and DipTh. These diplomas have been really applicable to my life and also my career in ministry. The content was so applicable to my Youth Ministry context, that I decided to continue studying their AdvDipTh/AdvDipMin.
I’ve now learnt a better ministry strategy then the ‘hit and run Jesus’.
Owen: I was privileged to Study an AdvDipTh and a DipMin focusing on Youth, from 2012 through to 2014.
There are lots of theological colleges. What is it that makes Youthworks, “Youthworks”?
Jesse: Again, if you want to be well equipped for Youth and Children’s ministry, go to Youthworks. It isn’t a waste of time! You are being taught by some of the most experienced lectures who know how to make the theological content applicable for
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your ministry context. For example Youthworks is great at investigating the historical developments and social transformations behind ministry to young people. With this deep understanding of social dimensions, the gospel is clearer for the audience to digest. For if we don’t know our context well, we won’t know how to pastor our young people well. Youthworks works hard at equipping their students to live under Christ’s lordship so that they may be obedient to the great commission. Discipleship is crucial!
Owen: In short, Youthworks trains people to teach the truths of Christ to Children and Young people in relevant and engaging ways.
What is good about the College? (It’s Strengths)
Jesse:
- Focused on training individuals for ministry with Young People
- A lot of time for practical ministry experience in your local church
- Practical ministry formation
- Highly experienced staff in the field of Youth and Children’s ministry
- Ability to make lifelong friends who are also specialised
- Practical theology governed by the bible first and theology second
- The glory of God being taught endlessly
- Life outside of your study commitments
One thing that a book would struggle to teach is a practical and biblical way of thinking that penetrates all of life. I love Youthworks because that is what I feel like i’ve gained through being there.
Owen: Youthworks will train you to think about what you teach and how you teach it. It tailors it’s subject so that you can walk out of a lecture and have a better understanding of not only the subject but also how to communicate the important gospel truths to youth and children.
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They have a big focus on doing the practical side of ministry well, and being able to put what you are learning in lectures, into practise straight away.
Being a smaller college, there is a great community aspect to college life. Staying on campus is a great blessing in promoting students relationships, which means ministry happens at college.
College is Monday and Tuesday, which means that the rest of the week students can be involved in ministry at their local church. This is great because students can put into practise straight away what they are learning.
The lectures are accessible and they genuinely care about their students.
What not to expect of Youthworks College?
Jesse: Youthworks is a practical college. If you want to be a great children’s and youth ministry practitioner this college will give you invaluable teaching and experience that most other colleges won’t. However, it is not aimed at making every student a scholar or expert in the biblical languages, so if you’re seeking to study at anything above the degree level then there are many great colleges out there that provide that training.
It aims to cover the whole bible in two years, which is quite a feat.
Owen: Youthworks is not easy! Like any study, there is hard work involved. It is not a huge college, however, it is a great blessing to be able to know the 20-30 other people in your year as you progress, which allows you to grow together and see changes in one another’s lives..
The type of ministry career it is suited towards?
Jesse: I believe that study at Youthworks will benefit any form of ministry, to young people whether you are a Youth pastor, Children’s pastor, Chaplain, SRE teacher, Anglicare worker or Bible Study Leader. For example, One of the lecturers named, Jim French, taught some really thought-through and targeted content for Family and Young Adults’ ministry which not many of the colleges are offering. This focused and specialised teaching really broadened my scope of Youth Ministry practise and how to apply the bible directly to the lives of adolescents.
Owen: Youthworks is suited towards anyone who wants to do effective ministry to youth and children.
What makes you love Youthworks College?
Jesse: Learning how to engage people with the gospel in an authentic way. When I was a new Christian I yelled out the car window on a few occasions “Jesus loves you”.
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However, I’ve now learnt a better ministry strategy then the ‘hit and run Jesus’. As disciples of Christ, we need to live life together, being devoted to our Lord, and witnessing with grace and passion. When the glory of God is expressed authentically, the gospel will impact lives on a deep level. Christian community is vital! Without it we are living lives that are synthetically broken.
Without the specialised training that I received here I would have really struggled in my first year as a Youth Pastor.
Owen: I loved spending time with the other guys in ‘prayer pods’ each week, being honest about life and encouraging one another to love and serve Jesus more. That was terrific! I also really enjoyed the Ministry Intensives ran twice per year. This radically and so helpfully changed the way that I thought about youth ministry.
What makes this the college to go to?
Jesse: I’ve given many of my reasons already, however to say it simply, If you want to know how to teach young people the gospel the most effective way, spend two-to-three years at Youthworks college.
I’ve been enthusiastically and critically modelled ministry practices that rival the best theological colleges in the world.
Owen: To somebody considering studying here I would encourage them to pray about this! Then this is what I would tell them;
- Youthworks is a fantastic college that will require you to work hard and be challenged.
- Consider what ministry opportunities you have to serve while you are studying.
- Speak to your minister and see what they think about it
- If you want to be better equipped to minister to young people, come!
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In Sydney there are a whole range of different Bible colleges to choose from, many of them are really good. I wanted to write this blog post simply because I believe in what they are doing there, and because of how important they encourage Youth and Children’s ministry for the future of the Church.
For more information I really encourage you to go to the Youthworks College Website, or to drop down to one of their open days, because you may just find out why you love Youthworks College.
Image may be NSFW.
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