Centre for Children's and Youth Ministry
Sharing Jesus with children and young people is a lively and challenging ministry that is crucial for today’s church.
Effective children’s and youth ministry in an increasingly complex world calls for approaches to Christian ministry that are able to wisely integrate robust biblical theological understanding with developmental and cultural context. Children and young people are a vast mission field for the church, both in Australia and beyond – and not just “the church of tomorrow”. Children and young people bring their unique experience of faith and faithfulness as a gift to the church and its mission today.
The Ridley Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry (CCYM) understands children’s and youth ministry as a ministry of the gospel by the whole church among children and young people.
Co_oP: CCYM Community Of Practice
The Co-oP is the Ridley Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry community of practice, bringing students together with researchers and practitioners to equip, enable, and energise one another in the work of serving the church through gospel ministry among children and young people.
Co-oP Gatherings
The Co-oP CCYM community gatherings are held semi-regularly on Wednesday evenings, from 4:30 pm to 6:15 pm, at the Ridley campus in Parkville and online.
CCYM Training Pathways
The Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry offers integrated training combining formal study, connection with a community of children’s and youth ministry practitioners, and involvement in ministry with children and young people in a local church.
Recommended Study Pathways
Program Coordinator
Graham Stanton has been involved in youth ministry and CYM training for over twenty-five years. From 2000 to 2013, Graham was the founding Dean and Principal of Youthworks College in Sydney, Australia’s first theological college entirely dedicated to preparing people for children’s and youth ministry. Graham is actively involved in coaching and mentoring youth ministry leaders, is a frequent speaker at youth events and training seminars, and continues to serve as a volunteer youth leader at his church in Parkville.
Graham’s doctoral study at the University of Queensland explored the dynamics of Bible engagement for the spiritual formation of teenagers in a culture of expressive individualism and is published as Wide-Awake in God’s World in the ACT monograph series. He was the co-lead researcher for the Your Story project which explored the faith journey narratives of Young Australians.
Alongside his role at Ridley, Graham is the founder and director of the Youth Ministry Futures project, a member of the advisory council for Youth Pastor Theologian (USA), and an associate editor of the Journal of Youth and Theology.
Youth Ministry Futures
Youth Ministry Futures is an independently funded project housed within the CCYM committed to increasing the number of long-term, full-time, well-formed youth ministry leaders in churches across Australia.
News & Updates
Pray With Us For A Better Youth Ministry Future
Youth Ministry Futures is a small outfit with a big vision. We’re an independently funded offshoot of the Centre for…
The 2025 Ridley Children’s and Youth Ministry Training Day Date Released
Save the date! Mark your diary for the next Ridley Children’s and Youth Ministry Training Day on 15 March 2025. …
Research Calls For Greater Investment In Children’s Ministry
Newly released research highlights the need for ongoing commitment and strategic investment to build sustainable and effective children’s and family…
Accompanying Young People: Listen Well, Respond Wisely
ACCOMPANYING YOUNG PEOPLE: LISTEN WELL, RESPOND WISELY Rev’d Dr Graham Stanton, Director, Ridley Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry How…
Helping Your Teenager Navigate Social Media
I first wrote ‘the Rules’ back in 2012. Our eldest daughter was about to turn thirteen and I wrote an…