Dear Friends,
We want to be a Growing Christian Community Devoted to Maturing in Jesus for the Glory of God. This vision guides our decision making as we continually shape our ministry. We have expanded our Growth Group program to provide more opportunities for spiritual growth and more effective pastoral care. We have started new ministries to reach parts of our community we have neglected. We are being creative in the area of mission with the Mark Drama coming up. But as I said on Vision Sunday, we need to provide some fresh focus in the area of children. Or should it be youth? Or should it be children and youth?
Mark Schroder became the Broughton Anglican College Chaplain at the end of 2015 and we have an exceptional team of people who lead our Youth and Children’s ministries – many of whom are home grown and have done or are doing some theological study! It is great to see. But even the best of volunteers need oversight and support to ensure that the ministry they are involved in continues to be effective and grow.
Over the last ten years there has been a lot of research around how churches keep growing. The four key strategy areas identified have been:
- Recapture focus on growing transformed disciple making disciples
- Strategic integration of newcomers into the church community
- Addressing the transition, retention and relocation of Christians
- Building effective children and youth ministries
As we analyse our church, we see that we have an effective integrated ministry for children and youth focussed on reaching and growing them in their faith and transitioning them to adult life. But we could be doing more to grow disciples.
For further insight into the way we think about Children’s and Youth Ministry you may wish to have a read of this paper that captures much of my thinking helpfully.
The youth minister who had the greatest influence on my ministry thinking often said, if you get your Creche and Kids Ministry right, you will have an awesome youth group and if you get youth group right you will have a growing church. The research and evidence indicate that he was right.
But what do you think?
We would love to hear feedback from church members about where you perceive our focus should be for our next staff member. Children? Youth? Children and youth? Something else. I’d love to hear your thoughts; please pass them on by clicking here.
Thanks for your partnership in Christ
Nigel