103 - Exploring Ecclesiology in Youth and Children's Ministry

Kicking off the 2026 Effective Ministry podcast, Al James and Annemarie Rivers discuss how ecclesiology (the theology of the church) shapes youth and children’s ministry, asking whether youth group, kids’ church, and afterschool clubs are “church.” Drawing on Chase Kuhn’s work (including discussion of Donald Robinson, Broughton Knox, Kevin Giles, and Graham Cole), they explore church as the gathering (ecclesia) created by God’s word, centered on hearing and responding in faith, and focused on building up God’s people. They consider the gathered and scattered nature of church, the distinction between earthly intermittent gatherings and the constant singular heavenly church, and why the heavenly church’s oneness implies diversity. They discuss Robinson’s claim that the church’s primary task is not evangelistic, how evangelism still occurs in and from the gathering, and Kuhn’s conclusions that age-specific ministries are valid but not ideal expressions of church, requiring integration and intergenerational discipleship.Connect with YouthworksClick through to discover more about the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youthworks Ministry Support Team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and how Youthworks can help you have an effective youth and children's ministry in your local church, or check out our Facebook Page.You can connect with the broader Youthworks family by clicking here.You can partner in the ministry of Youthworks by donating here.We would love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]