There has lately been a big push back in youth and children's ministry against leaving the job of discipling young people just to the "professional", the church youth and children's worker.
Instead there has been more of a return to the Biblical idea that God has given the responsibility of bringing children up to love the Lord primarily to their parents. This shift has encouraged churches to work with families and help them to do this discipling work, rather than just employing a youth and children's worker to do it instead.
From 'youth and children' to 'families' worker
This has an impact on the role of the youth and children's worker! For churches that believe in this approach, these workers are being encouraged to work more closely with parents and see their roles as supporting and training them, rather than doing the ministry directly to the children. This results in less youth and children's workers and more "families workers." And for some churches it may well result in choosing not to employ someone in this role at all.
Tackling heavy topics in our youth groups
Anyone who has prepared a youth or children's programme for a church weekend away will know the feeling: your minister …