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a healthy church...transformingLIFE

Tasmanian anglican

February 2007

 

The Dean speaks

Jesus and the very young

We often cry 'lies, damned lies, and statistics' but all the same, it is a fact that most of us were nurtured to faith by parents or close friends, and the rest of us in Sunday School, School RE, a Christian camp or confirmation class by the age of 14. Today there are few Sunday Schools and few confirmees.

80 percent of us in Anglican pews believed in Jesus by the age of 12. And research tells that the best age to come to faith is between eight and 11 years of age. After that there are spikes in the 'coming to faith' graph - university, if the campus ministry is strong; baptism of a child; enquiry of a child about God, or death of a loved one.

The decline of the church

The Diocese appears to be in trouble. Like many mainline churches most of us have grey hair. Our church age profiles are well out of step with our communities. If we do not reach out and enfold a strong, younger cohort the future looks bleak.

We need fresh strategies. Our Sunday worship must speak with a contemporary voice.

This will cost us.

Strategies will differ - suburban churches with local schools will manage a number of intentional new ideas. Very small churches and rural churches will, perhaps with outside consultation, take smaller, slower steps. But the basic question must be asked and solutions implemented: how will we be relevant to the spiritual needs of the young?

Some small steps forward
  1. Dream, desire for children and young people and families to link in with your faith community.
  2. Pay the price! Worship may need to be more contemporary (but remember Gen Ys like a bit of nostalgia packaged well. They are into symbol.)
  3. The first plank is a commitment to 'inter-generational worship'. Most families are just that. For nearly eight years four generations of Stoddarts worshipped together in the Parish of Austinmer. The oldies paid the price - the 10 am service had a band and vox pops and cool ideas - but the love of Christ bound us together and the non-churched community knew they were welcome.
  4. Start small and start at the beginning. Ensure there is a space for under-threes and start a Sunday children's ministry for four to 11s every Sunday in school term.
  5. Even one or two teenagers, two adults (preferably a male and a female) can start a disciples' Bible study plus irregular social events (the movies, a BBQ, a car drive).
  6. The Priest and Vestry will actively encourage those in ministry and help recruit volunteers.
Safe ministry is paramount

Enough said. Follow the guidelines and every one involved with children and youth will be safe ministry accredited. It is no big deal and a positive experience.

A whole church team approach is essential. The leaders will be at it every week, but if the whole faith community catches the dream, surely there are (1) fervent pray-ers who will pray; (2) dads and mums who will drive; (3) grannies who will bake, and (4) disciplers who will be mentors to our growing Christians.

I would start…

At the beginning with Sunday Children's ministry.

Next I would start a Kids Plus Group from 4 to 6pm on a Friday. GFS have great training and Bible materials. You can be small or big. And Kids Plus grows inter-generational links to youth ministry.

I am happy to talk with your ministry team - call me to arrange a time.

 

The Revd Dr Lindsay Stoddart is Dean of St David's Cathedral, Hobart. Phone 6234 4900 or email.

 

  



St David's Cathedral