About HOUSE Conference
HOUSE Conference is about theological reflection for best practice in youth and children's ministry within a community of youth and children's ministers. This annual conference for youth and children’s ministry is held at Youthworks Conference Centres Port Hacking.
In 2023 we're exploring the place of emotions in children and young people for becoming mature disciples of Jesus. How we disciple young people to know and properly order their emotions? How do we engage the affections in discipling young people to maturity in the gospel?
Each day will include encouragement from God’s word, an opportunity to engage theologically and practically with one of the papers, and opportunities to workshop ideas and skills that will equip you as a ministry leader.
There will be plenty of time to connect and network with other people who are engaged in youth and children’s ministry in your region or state (or country) and opportunities to form new friendships and share wisdom.
Youthworks is a COVID safe organisation. As such, in the event HOUSE is cancelled or an individual is unable to attend because of NSW Government COVID restrictions, Youthworks will refund your ticket price in full (less $2 third party booking fee).
Theology Paper Presenters
Ministry Electives
Ministry electives run on Wednesday afternoon of conference for approximately 2 hours. They are an opportunity for you as ministry leaders to dive deeper into a specific and practical aspect of ministry that fall roughly into three categories: leading self, leading others, leading young people.
Coach or cure? The minister’s role in caring for those with mental ill-health
Trinette Stanley - Family Life Skills Educator (Mental Health) at Anglicare Sydney
The Christian minister is required to be proficient in several different skills – from administration to admonition, from plumber to preacher, from vision-setter to visitation. This elective is built on the foundational understanding that the gospel message has something profound to offer to those who are experiencing mental ill-health. It includes an in-depth exploration of the roles and responsibilities of ministry leaders in the mental health support of others.
The Privileges and Challenges of Leading Teams: Building a culture of leadership development
Fiona Smartt - Director of Ministry at St Luke’s Clovelly
Looking for more leaders? Want to help existing leaders stretch and grow? Keen for a culture of joyful and sacrificial service? This is the second in a three year elective series on the privilege and challenge of raising up leaders. This year we'll look at how to build and grow a culture of leadership development in any ministry - big or small. This elective also includes lots of practical resources, tools and ideas to help you develop other leaders to use their gifts in service of the Lord.
(Note: this is year 2 of a 3 year cycle on Leading Teams with Fiona. But you do not need to have attended the previous year to come to this elective.)
Program
Day 1 - Tuesday, August 29
10:00 LAUNCH SESSION
10:45 Prayer Groups
11:15 MORNING TEA
11:45 PAPER 1 PRESENTATION —
12:30 LUNCH
13:30 PAPER RESPONDERS, TABLE DISCUSSION AND Q+A
15:00 AFTERNOON TEA // FREE TIME
16:45 NETWORKING IN REGIONAL AREAS
18:00 DINNER
19:00 EVENING SESSION BIBLE TALK
20:30 FREE TIME // SUPPER
Day 2 - Wednesday, August 30
08:00 BREAKFAST
09:00 PAPER 2 PRESENTATION —
10:30 MORNING TEA
11:00 PAPER RESPONDERS, TABLE DISCUSSION AND Q+A
12:30 LUNCH
13:30 FREE TIME
15:00 FREE TIME // AFTERNOON TEA
15:45 MINISTRY ELECTIVES
18:00 DINNER
19:00 EVENING SESSION BIBLE TALK
20:30 FREE TIME // SUPPER
Day 3 - Thursday, August 31
08:00 BREAKFAST (& Check out of rooms by 9am)
09:00 LANDING SESSION: HOW YOU WILL DISCIPLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO LIVE IN FREEDOM
10:30 LOOKING BACK TO LOOK FORWARD —
11:00 MORNING TEA
11:30 CLOSING SESSION
12:30 LUNCH
13:30 HEAD HOME
Frequently asked Questions
+ Why should I give up three days for HOUSE?
Because HOUSE provides a space to "learn how to fish" instead of simply "get a fish". That is, HOUSE invites you into a space to theologically reflect on your practice with your peers in youth and children's ministry, and the space to work out a way forward in your context. Most other conferences focus on models, skills, programs, and "how-to's". There's nothing wrong with that approach, HOUSE includes practical electives too, but HOUSE aims to deliver more. HOUSE encourages you to develop your professional skills in adapting and reflecting on your practice in your own context from year to year.
You should come because HOUSE will help you lead an effective youth and children's ministry that is theologically and biblically faithful, reflective, contextual, and growing disciples.
+ Will HOUSE be live streamed?
No. It is a deliberate objective for HOUSE conference that youth and children's ministers gather and confer together in person. You can read good theology in books, you can get practical tips for youth and children's ministry from podcasts, you can watch presentations on Youtube. But you only get the personal connection, the fellowship, and the shared community knowledge by turning up in person to be part of it. Why not take some time-out and come along?
+ What if I don't know anyone at HOUSE?
It is always a bit daunting coming to a conference when you don’t know anyone, but you’re coming to a conference with other like-minded youth and children’s ministers, and they love to hang out and chat about almost anything! There is opportunity on Monday night to network with other people around specific topics of interest in proximity to a fireplace and a hot cup of something. You can just turn up, join a topic group and start chatting away.
+ What if I’ve got loads of work to do and I need to carve out space to write a program or talk?
We’re all grown ups here, so you can carve out time wherever you like to do the work you need to do. There's at least 2 hours of free time each day and you can always choose not to do an elective. Just remember that this is a unique 3 day opportunity that doesn’t come around all that often and you want to make the most of it for your own wellbeing and the advancement of those you lead.
+ What if I don't want to do an elective?
After you register online, you'll be sent an email about electives closer to the date of the conference. If you don’t intend on going to an elective at HOUSE, you can, of course, elect not to (see what we did there?).
This will help our presenters to have a more accurate idea of what numbers they have, the group dynamics and what resources to provide. You are welcome to attend an elective you haven’t booked for while you are at HOUSE, but we cannot guarantee that you will have any of the resources that come with that elective.
In addition to these electives we hope to have a number of impromptu workshops that form resources in response to the sessions and papers that are presented.
+ What’s the “coffee” situation?
We have our own onsite speciality coffee for purchase from Soul Revival. You can buy quality coffee served in all your favourite ways, so be sure to bring plenty of cash or your card to feed your habit.
Of course you can still take the free option and use the site's instant machines or be “that guy” who brings their own beans, a hand grinder and an aero-press.
+ Where will HOUSE be located?
HOUSE will be at Deer Park, Chaldercot and Telford at Youthworks Conference Centres Port Hacking, Rathane Road, Royal National Park.
+ What will HOUSE look like due to COVID-19?
Youthworks is a registered COVID safe businees. This means the Conference Centres where HOUSE will be held have successfully demonstrated their commitment to the hygiene and safety of guests and staff to the NSW Government.
HOUSE will follow the relevant restrictions according to the NSW Public Health Orders at the time of the conference and will keep attendees informed of any changes or developments related to COVID-19.
+ What refund will I get if HOUSE is cancelled or I can't attend because of COVID-19 restrictions?
Youthworks is a COVID safe organisation. As such, in the event HOUSE is cancelled or an individual is unable to attend because of NSW Government COVID restrictions, Youthworks will refund your ticket price in full (less $2 third party booking fee).
+ What happens if I have to cancel for a reason other than COVID-19?
This information is available in our booking terms and conditions that are agreed to when tickets are purchased.
+ Further questions?
Contact Youthworks Ministry Support via the form below or call 02 8268 3355.