The Why and How of Reforming Youth
Healthy Food for a healthy Household of God: a series of articles and podcasts complementing the sermon series, on the why and how of Reforming.
Friendships for life and faith: that's the heartbeat behind Reforming Youth, the youth ministry of Reforming Church.
The Why
At its core, Reforming Youth exists because the gospel is meant to be lived out in relationship, not just learned in a classroom.
As the church's vision statement puts it, we all learn the gospel in the context of relationship—we are each discipled by others who love Jesus. Discipleship requires a relationship in order for the disciple to listen, believe, and accept what we teach.
This means that with young people, just as with adults, how we teach matters just as much as what we teach. The gospel isn't simply taught—it's caught.
Young people pick it up by watching it lived out in the lives of leaders who are willing to be honest about their own struggles, weaknesses, and need for grace.
That's why the elders' vision is for youth group to feel more like a lounge room than a classroom.
There's a constant, tricky balance to strike between play, teaching, bonding, and leading—and the church is honest that they won't always get that balance right. But the goal remains the same: to make the gospel clear while strengthening relationships between youth and the wider church family.
Because young people are quick to spot hypocrisy (as we all are hypocrites in some way), leaders aim to keep sharing their own failures and need for grace, modelling the very gospel they're trying to pass on.
The How: Friday Nights at Reforming House
The main rhythm of Reforming Youth is Friday Nights. Anyone in years 7–12 is invited to join fortnightly gatherings at Reforming House, featuring games, food, Bible study, and plenty of laughs. All youth are welcome, regardless of background or church connection.
The How: Leaders Who Share Their Lives
The leadership team is described as people with a genuine passion for seeing young people grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus—while having fun and building lifelong friendships. These leaders don't just give their time; they share their love for Jesus. Every leader is approved by the Safe Church Unit and holds a current Working With Children Check (WWCC).
The How: Safety and Permission
Before joining, families are asked to complete a Reforming Church Youth Ministry Permission Form, developed in partnership with the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and the Safe Church Unit. The form covers personal contact details, the young person's name, birth date, school year, address, and phone/email information, helping ensure every young person is cared for safely.
Connected to a Wider Network
Reforming Youth doesn't operate in isolation—it's connected to Presbyterian Youth Victoria (PYV), the youth organisation of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. PYV runs camps and events where youth from across Victoria gather for fellowship and to hear the gospel preached, and provides leadership training and mentoring for local youth leadership teams as they grow disciples through ministry.
Underpinning all of this is the Safe Church Unit of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, which works to ensure every congregation and organisation—including youth ministry—is safe in every respect for everyone involved, through its Safe Church Policy and Code of Conduct.
Getting Involved
If you're in years 7–12 and want to be part of it, the best way in is simply to show up to a Friday Night at Reforming House. For more information, families can contact the Youth Leaders directly, or reach out via the church's general contact details at 17 Victa Road, East Bendigo, Victoria 3550, or hello@reformingchurch.org.
