3. The Rev Ian Millican asked -

In a recent survey of 992 born again Christians in the US, the Barna Organisation found that 43% accepted Jesus Christ before their 13th birthday. Further, 50% of Christians who embraced Christ before their teen years were led to Christ by their parents. If these figures are in anyway reflected in Australia, then they highlight the critical importance of children's' ministry.

(a) What steps is the Diocese taking to encourage children's' ministry in our parishes, both on Sundays and during the week, and to encourage the identification and training of people for full-time, part-time and lay ministry to children?

(b) What steps is the Diocese taking to equip parents to be able to lead their children to Christ, and to help grow in their faith?

To which the President replied -

(a) Through the funding and support of Anglican Youthworks, the Diocese is providing teaching resources for church based ministries. These include -

* Kids@church for 3 year olds through to 11 year olds,

* Youth Bible study materials

* Connect and Encounter for Churches to resource teaching SRE in their local schools.

Specialist children's and youth advisers provide training in churches across the Diocese for those involved in teaching SRE and for church based children's and youth ministry. These training courses are subsidised by the Diocese for use in Anglican parishes. Youthworks also provides specialist conferences for youth, children's and SRE ministers.

Advisers are also working in partnership with GFS and CEBS to promote children's ministry through these organisations.

The Youthworks College is a training college of the Diocese designed to provide specific training for ministry to youth and children. The college offers full-time and part-time diploma and advanced diploma courses and is open to people of all ages. Currently the college has 56 equivalent full-time students. Students are recruited through Regional Councils and Parishes as well as organisations such as Club 5.

Youthworks is working with the Policy 3 committee to further develop the college role and facilities in training youth and children's ministers for the Diocese.

The Diocese has financially supported a new college building facility to be opened in January 2005. This will enable enrolment growth to 90 full-time students.

Through the Youthworks Camping Division, camps are available to children from throughout the Diocese. Sites are also available for parish directed camps.

(b) Youthworks is currently developing a series of parenting resources for use in parishes. These include seminars in parenting as well as videos and training resources. In the past 2 years these seminars have been trialed in 8 parishes.

Youthworks is communicating with Anglicare to look for ways to work together in this project.