Picture a big, bright balloon arch.
You know the kind. It stretches above the entrance of a party or a celebration. When you see one, what do you instinctively know?
Something is happening here.
Something worth noticing.
Something worth stopping for.
Youth and kids ministry is the church’s balloon arch.
This was the metaphor Dave Phillips, PYNSW General Manager, shared with the students and staff at Christ College in March. Because if you look closely at churches that are vibrant, growing, and reaching their community, it’s almost always the case that their youth and kids ministries are out the front like a balloon arch.
They signal to visitors, families, and the watching community: this is a church that values life, growth, and the next generation.
But unlike real balloon arches, this one we’re describing isn’t just decorative. It’s deeply missional.
Why focus on kids and youth ministry?
Children matter to God. We see from Jesus’ words the importance of bringing the gospel to young people.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” — Matthew 19:14
Kids and youth ministry isn’t just about entertaining the next generation. It’s about:
- Raising lifelong disciples of Jesus
- Equipping parents and carers to teach the gospel at home
- Creating a space where different generations connect
- Helping churches reach their surrounding communities
- Demonstrating to newcomers that this church cares about people like them
Building the arch: Where do you start?
Every balloon arch starts with a single balloon.
That might look like a couple of key leaders with a clear vision, two or three young people willing to show up, and/or a commitment to disciple really well the young people that you do have, not just growing in number.
However you start, it’s about quality before quantity. Every young person matters. Every leader matters. Every small step counts.
That’s why the foundation is critical. Setting a clear vision, equipping leaders, and creating safe and welcoming spaces for kids and youth to encounter Jesus.
Growing the arch: Adding more balloons
Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design, by noticing every touchpoint in your ministry and asking:
- Are we creating a culture where inviting friends is normal?
- Are we engaging whole families, not just individual kids?
- Are we building real connections with schools and the community?
- And when young people do come, are we helping them explore their questions of faith, not just show up?
Answering these questions honestly so that you make sure you can facilitate spiritual formation, mentoring, serving, and growth is key. That’s how balloons grow larger, stronger, more vibrant.
More than just your arch: The power of networks
One of the great gifts of being part of a denomination like the Presbyterian Church is that your arch doesn’t have to stand alone.
Imagine not just one arch, but arches linked across a Presbytery, across regions, across NSW.
That’s what we’ve seen happen in places like the Hunter region, where small training days have led to friendships, which led to camps, which led to a genuine sense of gospel community between youth ministries that might otherwise have felt isolated.
Or in Children’s Ministry Connect, a simple online space for sharing ideas, encouragement, and resources, because ministry to kids is too important (and too hard!) to do alone.
What next? Practical steps
Whether you’re leading a church with a handful of kids or a bustling youth group, the principles are the same:
If you’re just starting:
- Pray big, start small.
- Set a clear vision.
- Identify and train a core team.
- Focus on consistency and quality.
If you’re already growing:
- Develop a leadership pipeline.
- Build community connections.
- Look for partnership opportunities with other churches, schools, or organisations.
In all of this remember…
Every balloon matters.
Every young person matters to God.
Every church can build something beautiful.
And together as we connect, pray, and be intentional, we can create something far more enduring and more glorious than we ever could alone.