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St Davids Clergy Conference Church is an all-age community

St Davids Clergy Conference Church is an all-age community. Creating church for the new generations . Why is Messy Church growing so fast? . Why is Messy Church growing so fast? . It is something many churches can do Flexible timing and venue It is fun both to lead and to attend

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St Davids Clergy Conference Church is an all-age community

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  1. St Davids Clergy ConferenceChurch is an all-age community Creating church for the new generations

  2. Why is Messy Church growing so fast?

  3. Why is Messy Church growing so fast? • It is something many churches can do • Flexible timing and venue • It is fun both to lead and to attend • It is a wholesome activity whole families can do together – we can reach Mum and Dad as well as children • It meets the need for community and belonging • It is culturally appropriate – learning by doing not by listening • God is doing a new thing

  4. In an average week how many children attended your church in 2010 and 2013? 0-3 2-11 0-5 3-6 0-6 3-8 0-10 4-8 0-14 5-9 1-8 6-22 2-6 10-35

  5. How many groups for 0s-11s are there? • 54 Sunday Schools • 15 After School Clubs • 10 Messy Churches • 9 Toddler Groups • 8 Other groups (e.g. choirs, God for Kids) • 96 groups in total • Across 347 churches • About 25% of the churches some sort of group (75% do not)

  6. How many children are we in touch with on a regular basis? total av children per group • Sunday Schools 466 9 • After School Clubs 204 14 • Messy Churches 179 18 • Toddler Groups 155 17 • Others 233 29 • Total 1237 13 • This is about a 10% increase on the previous survey in 2011/12

  7. But what about secondary school aged children? • If we make provision for up to 11 year olds but not for 12+ then they get the message they are expected to leave when they are 12 • They have ‘grown out of’ church • Our aim must be to raise large numbers of 18 year old life-long Christians who will be the next generation-leaders

  8. Number of teenagers • The diocesan survey in 2011/12 found about 900 children and 225 teenagers • That is an average of about 75 younger children per school year • And an average of about 30 teenagers per school year • Probably there are more 13 year olds than 14s etc • The majority of the children stop going to church as they grow up

  9. How many teens groups? 2011/12 survey • 63 teenagers in 9 Sunday groups • 213 in 10 weekday groups • A total of 17 churches out of 347 • 95% of churches had no group for teens

  10. Developing church for teens • Our first responsibility is to the children growing up in our own groups • It is usually best to build from the inside out – starting with church young people rather than with detached youth clubs • The best evangelists with young people are other young people • Don’t be afraid to do ‘God’ and ‘Church’ with teens – they may well be much more open spiritually than are older people

  11. Our village – Eyam, population c1200 • Sunday church attendance average c120 • Including 6-12 teens • They lead the worship monthly • Are on the sound desk/data projector/ camera rota • Have their own Sunday teaching group & weeknight group • Raise money for Tear Fund • Are being seen as role models by village parents!

  12. Our village – Eyam, population c1200 • Now we have received an anonymous donation of £70,000 • We are not putting it into a fabric fund, a rainy day fund or parish share!!!!!! • We are applying for a diocesan grant to add to it • And intend to appoint a full time paid youth minister • Who will help us plant and grow church for young people (teens & 20s?) in Eyam and the surrounding area, working with neighbouring churches as well as our own, as a gift to them

  13. Youth Ministry is usually best done together • Many churches can do something for children by themselves • But almost all need to work with others to provide something good for teenagers • Scarborough Rock • A youth hub for every Ministry Area? • So that the group, activity or church for young people is on the programme of every church

  14. Young Adults • Question: I have just had a look at the Club 18-30 and the SAGA Holiday websites. Which one am I more likely to book? • Question: Which one would attract a 21 year old? • How can we offer church to young adults in an appropriate culture with a good peer group? • So far we don’t have many local good news stories to tell • But here is one I made earlier………………..

  15. So here is a challenge • Can we start a new sort of church for young adults at least in each of four main population areas of the diocese? • Llanelli • Carmarthen • Haverfordwest – Milford Haven • Aberystwyth • Something different would probably be appropriate in each area • Would a diocesan appointment be needed to be a catalyst? • Do you have a vision?

  16. What are the key couple of things you have picked up from this conference that are relevant to the churches where you are? • What will you think about trying or implementing over the next year?

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