Day 2
Equipping, Empowering and Engaging Young People – CIYD Report to General Synod
The Church worldwide is settling into new patterns and rhythms of youth ministry, its development and growth, and assessing its impact post–pandemic, the Church of Ireland Youth Department’s National Youth Officer Simon Henry told members of General Synod this morning (Saturday May 11). Like many others in their fields, CIYD wants to assess the youth ministry landscape across the Church of Ireland and what that currently looks like with accurate research, data and stats.
He encouraged all clergy, youth leaders and volunteers to take part in CIYD’s audit of youth work and fill in their short survey online before Saturday July 12.
He thanked all those involved in youth ministry in each diocese. He also paid tribute CIYD President Bishop Pat Storey and Chairperson Brigid Barrett for the time they give for the flourishing of youth ministry on the island, and to the exec committee and central board for their support.
He reserved particular mention for Office Manager Barbara Swann who was celebrating 25 years working for CIYD this year. At the end of 2023 CIYD said farewell to the Southern Region Development Officer, Steve Grasham who has gone to the Dioese of Durham and Church Army as Joint Lead Evangelist to the new Sunderland Centre of Mission. He said he had been a wonderful asset to CIYD and in the development of youth ministry here and he wished him and Fran every blessing.
He said that CIYD wanted to equip, empower and engage and to see young people become disciples and make disciples. “We must talk to our children and young people about what it means to be made in the image of God for a purpose, to actively seek to form a Christian worldview within them, and teach and model that true joy comes from a life dedicated to following Jesus – picking up our cross and following him,” Mr Henry stated.
He added: “Our job is to pass on the faith we have – youth ministry needs continual advocacy, diocesan support and of course, financial investment. As a church nationally, we need much much more strategic financial investment in youth ministry, and centrally I would love to see our Church provide an increase in funding for youth ministry and for Dioceses too to have more local investment in effective youth ministry.”
He said the Young Leaders in Ministry Fund had seen a huge response. They launched Next Steps, with thanks to the Priorities Fund, in Autumn 2023 which aims to encourage young people to pursue third level qualifications within the youth ministry sector. More details are available from the CIYD website.
He also announced the appointment of Luke Hawkins as the new CIYD Youth Ministry Development Officer (Southern Region).
After a wonderful video highlighting the Youth Forum’s two day meeting in Dromantine, the report was seconded by Hannah O’Neill who observed that while young people were the future Church, they were also the Church of today with faith–filled and faith–fuelled ideas, creativity and ingenuity. Recalling the impact of the young people from Meath and Kildare on last year’s Synod, she said it was imperative that central church take seriously the need to listen to young people.
The CIYD Youth Forum was one way of doing this, she said, as it seeks to represent, enrich and engage with the young people of the Church of Ireland by discussing and debating issues important to them. This year’s Youth Forum took place over two days, following feedback from young people that they wanted more time to connect with their peers.
“The focus was once again on mental well–being, an issue that young people care about greatly. The young people were encouraged to make new connections, be a voice for change in their schools, parishes and dioceses, and to deepen their faith and learn more about Jesus and His Church, and the vital role they have within that. According to the young people’s feedback this was the best Youth Forum yet. They commented on how helpful the event was in talking about and sharing their own experiences, and discussing what we can do in the church to support positive wellbeing. After the event one young person said, ‘Thank you for making us feel less alone’,” she stated.
She said the compassion and empathy of the young people at the Youth Forum stood out for her and she said it was clear to see how their faith informed their response to mental health.
On behalf of the Diocesan Youth Officers she thanked CIYD for all their support and the resources they provide. She also paid tribute to those in the dioceses who invested in young people by serving in youth ministry.
“When I think about youth ministry across our Church, I’m reminded of the verse in Matthew 9, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few…’ Across the island there are eight Diocesan Youth Officers and roughly 35 paid youth workers, which works out at around one youth worker for every 13 parochial units. And when you remove the numbers for the diocese with the most youth workers, that number doubles to one youth worker for every 26 parochial units. There is a genuine need for greater investment in youth ministry across our dioceses, particularly in the South where there is greater disparity in youth provision,” Hannah observed.
She reiterated the need to resource CIYD and urged central church to think strategically and intentionally about the future financial investment in youth ministry.
Discussing the report Sally Siggins (Elphin and Ardagh) stressed the importance of youth workers to the church. She thanked the staff of CIYD for their service. She spoke of the importance of role models to young people. She encouraged everyone to prioritise the ministry to children and young people and to restart their youth groups.
Kerry Connolly (Down) said she was grateful for the support of CIYD to youth workers. She said young people should be valued as the church of today.
Hilda Connolly (Cork, Cloyne and Ross) thanked CIYD for their help and support in training and resources.
Jan Peach (Down) commended CIYD for their work in ministry. She said the young leaders grant fund had been a huge benefit at the Kilbroney Centre. She said that the interns at the centre also benefited from the support of CIYD. She said young people were coming to Christ and they were hungry for more and CIYD was on the ground and part of that vision.
The Revd Clive Atkinson (Down) said that the Lord was at work among young people. He said that as we disciple our teens we should ensure that they are discipled in the Scriptures as well as in the Anglican church.
Jack Wilson (Down and Dromore) said that in churches across our land, young people were missing. He said that there are young people but they were not where we are. That meant that the church must take young people more seriously, he said. He said that we did not have to change what we teach but had to consider how we reach young people. He commended the work of CIYD and the Youth Forum.
Bishop Pat Storey (Meath and Kildare and President of CIYD) said if members of Synod wondered if the under 45 rule had any impact they could see the results here.
The Revd Patrick Bamber talked of supports from CIYD. He also spoke of young people who had slipped through the system and said that the church needed to heed the appeal to resource youth ministry.
Andrew McCaw (Down and Dromore) thanked CIYD for their support and suggested that it was the most innovative part of the Church of Ireland. He said that as youth evangelist in inner East Belfast he asked the Church to help to reach young people who were completely disconnected from church and God.
The Revd Jack Kinkead (Glendalough) said as chair of boards of management of two primary schools and one secondary school, there was a great opportunity to connect with young people. Children are bringing their parents into the church, he said adding that it was important to create opportunities and space to make God possible.
Raymond Kettle (Dromore) spoke of their kids club which they started during the week rather than on a Sunday which was seeing great attendance from across the community. He said that young people were more willing to engage than we think if we are willing to think creatively.