Going for Growth has come down to us from the National Church Board of Education, under which youth and children's work sits, as well as schools. It is a strategy for the Board, but within it there are Calls to Action for every level of the Church. Don't you just love it when people decided what you should be doing, but without really asking you anyway!
In fact the Calls to Action are pretty good, read for yourself:
"The Church, at National, Diocesan and Parochial level, is called to work towards every child and young person having a life-enhancing (I prefer 'changing') encounter with the Christian faith and the person of Jesus Christ.
The Church, at National, Diocesan and Parochial level, is called to transformation both in the church and the world, and to recognise and enable the capacity of children and young people to be the agents of change both for themselves and for others.
The Church, at National, Diocesan and Parochial level, is called to provide professional support and development for all those working with children and young people in the name of the Church, so that they might demonstrate the highest qualities in their practice and personal life."
So three areas that cover mission to young people, young people as participators and then supporting those that work with young people.
I am working with the Children's Work Advisers, Ruth & Vanessa to look at how we pass this onto parishes and help them resource taking action.
We have started to look at the first call and have found ourselves asking how do you provide an encounter with Jesus? Is it the great programme, is it the venue, is it all singing, all dancing - or is it about the adults getting alongside young people and sharing their faith with them? If it is the latter we need to challenge ourselves and every adult member of the Church to be prepared to give an account for the faith within us, to be prepared to speak about our faith and how it impacts upon the way we live our lives day in, day out.
Bishop Alan had the Lent Challenge and asked, "Are you up for it?" I hope in this case we are, otherwise, yet again the Church will miss an opportunity with this generation of young people, who are crying out for people to show them some ways to live.
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