The Abbey continued with its annual youth ministry training intensive for the New Zealand Anglican dioceses this year, taking a slightly different angle.

"This year's programme reflects our belief that caring for the Church begins by caring for the people who serve within it." said Assistant National Youth Coordinator for Tikanga Pākehā, Sami Smart.

"Alongside practical youth ministry training, we tried to create space for honest conversations about burnout, wellbeing, mental health, stillness, justice, evangelism, and what it means to live out our faith in everyday life."

This year Abbey workshops helped youth leaders to lock in practical ministry skills and hear new mission challenges:

Practical Anglican youth ministry skills

– Understanding and applying the Aotearoa NZ youth worker code of ethics with Zara Maslin
– Working with Intermediate school aged young people with Neville Bartley
– Understanding young people and leading small groups with Callum Hussey
– Getting to know Alpha with Jess Johnson
– The Panel: Experienced youth ministry leaders answer your questions 

Mission challenges for youth leaders

– Matching social activism and faith with 'Living Wage' educators Felicia Scherrer and Geoffrey Tuita
– Solidarity with persecuted churches from "The Voice of the Martyrs"
– Looking at Evangelism with Jethro Day from The Church Army
– Palestinian Christian responses to violence in the Holy Land with Dr Lamma Mansour

Youth learn about the persecuted church

Charlotte Carrell from Christchurch's St Barnabas Church learnt a lot from the world map that tracked different countries' treatment of churches for good or ill.

"I didn't realise how much of the world suffers from a hostile environment or persecution for Christians." she said. "We really live in a little bubble here." 

Youth leaders train in small group skills

Josie Carson from All Saints' Palmerston North enjoyed Callum Hussey's workshop on leading small groups with young people.

"He said it's about being super authentic in who you are. So if you are trying to be a [hyped up] 'youth leader' they will see right through you." 

Josie got the message that building rapport with young people is key.

"You need to genuinely care about them, and be [appropriately] vulnerable yourself to create that culture where it is okay to be vulnerable." she said.

Youth ministry experts share their wisdom

Daniel MacDonald from Auckland's Northwest Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd was encouraged to hear the unintentional origin stories of experienced youth workers.

"I think a lot of us end up in youth ministry rather than plan for it." he said. 

Daniel gathered his favourite sayings from The Abbey's panel speakers to take back to the parish with him.

'Don't let young people put you in a box until they have built a relationship with you,' was one he liked and another was:

'We can't assume we have authority, so we have to trade in respect and relationship.' 

Youth ministers focus on sustainable vocations

Throughout The Abbey 2026, the second focus was to inspire young leaders and give them handy tips for creating more sustainable ministries.

Speakers and workshops helped Abbey-goers catch up with the latest on:

- Life and vocation: "The story you're living" with Dallas Harema
- 'The journey out of depression' with Belinda Stott
- 'Burnout: Why does it happen and what can I do about it?' with Hazel Nugent, and
- 'The lost art of stillness': guided contemplative prayer with Marzi Van Der Mark

The Abbey organisers designed the programme to remind youth leaders that while they may not see each other too often, they don't serve alone. 

"One of the greatest gifts of The Abbey is helping leaders and young people recognise that they are part of a much wider Anglican whānau." said Sami, who brought this year's programme to fruition in its final weeks, when the Rev Lorna Gray moved out of the Tikanga Pākehā National Youth Coordinator role into local ministry. 

"While (youth) ministry can often feel isolating within the context of a single parish, The Abbey creates opportunities to build relationships across dioceses, share experiences, encourage one another, and remember that together we are participating in God's mission." said Sami.

"Our hope is that people left feeling refreshed, connected, and better equipped to serve, and that these conversations and relationships contribute to healthier leaders, healthier local communities, and ultimately a healthier Church."

To find out more about The Abbey or to offer a ministry skills or themed workshop for next year, contact: Assistant National Youth Coordinator, Sami Smart through the Anglican Youth Aotearoa website.