Training in children’s and youth ministry
Opportunities for developing and growing in ministry with children, young people and families
Do you want to grow in your ministry with children and young people? The 30k Project is developing a suite of training suitable for all levels and experience. Take a look at the categories below or use this flowchart to help you decide what to do next.
Click the titles below to find out more about what is available to each type of role.
Session helper
For volunteers who help out in sessions with children, young people and their families (CYPF).
Whether you are a seasoned volunteer or just starting out on your volunteer journey, training is a great way to equip you with the confidence and knowledge to guide children, young people and families in their faith.
Children’s Ministry Essentials (CME)
Due to be launched in early 2025, Children’s Ministry Essentials will be the perfect course for volunteers with children and young people.
It will be facilitated by dioceses and can be run online, in person, or a mixture of both. The course is made up of 90 minute sessions with films and lots of great content. More details soon!
Youthscape Essentials
An exciting course to equip and strengthen anyone volunteering with young people in churches and community projects. Run over 10 sessions covering 30 topics including: Insights into Young People, Skills for Youth Work and Developing Character.
It makes no assumptions about experience, age or background. It’s accessible to those starting out as volunteers, but deep enough to stretch those who have been working alongside young people for longer. Find out more.
Session leaders
For volunteers who lead sessions with children, young people and their families (CYPF).
Youthscape Essentials
An exciting course to equip and strengthen anyone volunteering with young people in churches and community projects. Run over 10 sessions covering 30 topics including: Insights into Young People, Skills for Youth Work and Developing Character. It makes no assumptions about experience, age or background. It’s accessible to those starting out as volunteers, but deep enough to stretch those who have been working alongside young people for longer. Find out more.
Catalyst
Catalyst is a dynamic training course which aims to equip and connect those who work with children and young people in the local church. It’s a great way to meet people from your area and around the country, whilst building on your knowledge and skills to lead children and young people. The course is very flexible with a mixture of online and in-person teaching. Find out more.
Children’s Ministry Essentials
Due to be launched in the winter of 2024, Children’s Ministry Essentials will be the perfect course for volunteers with children and young people. It will be facilitated by dioceses and can be run online, in person, or a mixture of both. The course is made up of 1h30min sessions with films and lots of great content. More details coming soon.
Explore training
A free, online, 10 session resource for churches who want to engage with young people who aren’t connected with church. It focuses on key issues such as: – how to get alongside local young people, building relationships with young people, how to empower young people, youth discipleship and youth worship. This is a great resource for developing youth church in different contexts. Find out more.
Lead volunteer/employed worker
For volunteers who lead sessions with children, young people and their families (CYPF).
Catalyst
Catalyst is a dynamic training course which aims to equip and connect those who work with children and young people in the local church. It’s a great way to meet people from your area and around the country, whilst building on your knowledge and skills to lead children and young people. The course is very flexible with a mixture of online and in-person teaching. Find out more.
Future Youth
Do you have a heart to serve the younger generation? Do you want to develop skills in children’s and youth work? The Future Youth course is a great way to grow in your ministry. And it’s free! Future Youth (FY), the new strand of the Ministry Experience Scheme (MES), is an opportunity for 18s-30s to spend a year growing in young people and children’s ministry through ministry placements, training and mentoring. Find out more.
Explore training
A free, online, 10 session resource for churches who want to engage with young people who aren’t connected with church. It focuses on key issues such as: – how to get alongside local young people, building relationships with young people, how to empower young people, youth discipleship and youth worship. This is a great resource for developing youth church in different contexts. Find out more.
Undergraduate courses
We are currently developing a suite of degree level courses in Children’s, Youth and Families Ministry. More information to follow! Sign up to the 30k Project mailing for all the latest news.
Strategic lead
For volunteers who lead sessions with children, young people and their families (CYPF).
We are developing a suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Children’s and Youth Ministry. More details to follow!
To be kept up to date with all the latest developments, please sign up to the 30k Project mailing.
‘How to’ videos
On 1 November we launched a series of bitesize ‘How to’ videos that feature tips on all things CYPF Ministry, from ‘How to start a conversation with a child’ to ‘How to respond to additional needs’, and ‘Things to do with no kit’ to ‘Encouraging young people to worship’.
With 32 videos in total, this resource will provide helpful guidance to anyone who is coming alongside children, young people and their families in their faith journey. A new video will be released every Friday at 10am up until 27 June 2025. Subscribe to receive them here.
What is the 30k Project?
To find out more about the 30k Project, take a look at the 30k Project webpage and sign up to the 30k Project mailing.
Related resources
Recruiting volunteers for children’s and youth ministry
17 September 2025 13:30 – 14:30
Children and young people’s leaders
Midlands working class strategy consultation
22 October 2025 11:00 – 16:00
Class and Socio-economic background
