Meg Robb, convenor of our synod Youth and Children's Work Group brings a challenge from the Synod
Members of our churches so often look back longingly to the days when church buildings almost burst at the seams with huge numbers of children attending Sunday School. But, where have all the children gone? Because they're not, now that they are adults, in our churches. Any connection they had seems to have passed and they seem to cope without us... meaning generations have been lost. Many church members are of the impression that to see children and teenagers in our churches will perpetuate our existence! But the generation that made up the vast numbers aren't around now, so why should we think vast numbers of youngsters today would end up with a different outcome?!?
Well, there may not be children or young people about within our churches in great abundance any more, but… the good news is that there are some. There are pockets of children and young people connected with some of our churches across the Synod. And there are plans to encourage children and young people to grow in their faith. Our Synod Mission Executive and the Synod Trust have agreed to fund the employment of a full time youth and children's worker. But this is a worker who will work in a different way and, whilst there to help the Synod Children's and Youth Work Group (SCYWG) organise events and training across the Synod, etc. will also work for 3 days in a locality. This will be a worker who will be expected to work at the real grass roots level. So, bids from a church or churches or Mission Partnerships are soon to be invited: look out for details coming out shortly.
The good news is that Synod will pay the salary and the other news is that the local church or churches will pay expenses for the local work. But the really good news is that this is an opportunity for work with children/young people/families in a locality to grow. But before you get really excited about the idea of a worker coming to do it all for you… the idea isn't for the worker to take you back to the era of large numbers in Sunday School. NO! You will need a vision of how you along with your worker can develop work with youngsters and young families in and around your church(es). And you need to pray and consider in your meeting how to turn that vision into a project which will enrich God's kingdom even if it doesn't produce a large Sunday School.
But while we wait for a worker to be employed the SCYWG continue to hold events across the Synod. Look out for the next one, a Bowling event on 2nd April. Details will be with you soon. We have a small group of youngsters from quite a few churches from across the Synod who are beginning to network with each other after having tasted sleepovers locally and/or Children's Assembly. Some of these youngsters now come into the Tweenies age bracket (11-15ish) and could become a core group that accesses FURY (Fellowship of United Reformed Youth) events.
National FURY evnts include FURY Forum and FURY Assembly as well as FURY members having input at General Assembly after their own event of WHAT DO YOU THINK? And there are plans to hold events for those in the Tweenies age bracket. In fact such an event was planned for early in December but sadly called off due to snow!!! And two young people from Northern Synod have just returned from this year's FURY Assembly. Such events encourage the young ones to have fun whilst learning about their faith and taking seriously what it means to be a Christian. For example locally VISION 2020 will be on the agenda on April 9th before the youngsters go bowling.
Do not despair if you think all the children (and young people) have gone. They haven't!!! And our aim is to encourage those that are there already in our churches to grow in their faith rather than to grow vast numbers who may never really grasp what following Christ is all about. Please pray for the work… and the worker when appointed… not so that we may perpetuate our churches as they are but to ensure that the youngsters of today find the joy of serving Christ and so choose to be part of His Church... whatever shape that Church might be for them.
And for details of what resources there are within the Synod to help you with your youth and children's work, look elsewhere on this website (links from Resources page).
Meg Robb