Ingleburn youth minister Hayden Smith is going to the Youthworks Youth Ministry Conference tomorrow and he can’t think of anybody better to sit next to than you.
However, with over 140 people from throughout Sydney and Australia already registered to attend the two day conference, it is experiencing its highest turn out ever and bookings have closed.
Hayden attended the conference for the first time last year.
The 24-year-old youth minister at St Barnabas, Ingleburn says he wants to be involved in supporting the development of youth ministry.
"I think this is a great way to do that,” he says.
“It was a great chance for my ministry team to explore their views on different aspects of and approaches to youth ministry in a context broader than their own particular parish."
The number of Ingleburn youth leaders attending has increased from two last conference to six this year.
"We're taking the whole team along. It's great for us as a team to find opportunities to think through youth ministry and share views and opinions on different styles of youth ministry," Mr Hadyn says.
Youthworks Western Region Youth Consultant, Jon Thorpe says the third annual Youth Ministry Conference, which is being held at Moore Theological College, will focus on "The Living and Active Word'.
"It's encouraging people to take the word of God seriously in their youth groups and encouraging young people to grow as Christians by getting to know God through his word," Mr Thorpe says.
There will be four workshops and five main sessions with speakers including Sydney Anglicans LT Hopper, Bill Salier, Andrew Katay and Al Stewart.
"The speakers always have something insightful for you to consider for youth work. Last year I was reminded of important things and given new ideas to add to what I know," Mr Thorpe says.
Organiser are planning the conference so that it will challenge people to think how they can be more creative in teaching and encouraging teenagers.
"There will be lots of ideas that they haven't thought of implementing, that go beyond talks and small group discussions," Mr Thorpe says.
"We would like to see youth workers better equipped and energise them for continuing in their respective ministries."
