Diocesan Synod has welcomed the launch of Growing Faith, a national initiative to reorientate mission back towards children and young people.
At the synod meeting, held via Zoom on Saturday 20 March, the Youth, Children and Families’ Missioner, Jonathan Masters, outlined what the initiative is all about. He said: “The Growing Faith adventure is a call for a shift in attitude and culture so that it becomes second nature to include and value children and young people.
"Growing faith places the emphasis on schools, churches, and households in equal measure"
“Growing Faith places the emphasis on schools, churches, and households in equal measure and encourages each to work together in partnership to support young people to grow in faith.”
A working group made up of Church House officers and church leaders are developing a programme of planned activity for schools, churches, and households, and a new dedicated space on the diocesan website will host resources and ideas.
Growing Faith questionnaire for PCC's
As we emerge out of lockdown, it is crucial that the Church connects and re-connects effectively with children and young people, who have had a particularly demanding year. PCCs are invited to use the following questionnaire to help them consider where they are on the Growing Faith journey, and how officers at Church House can best support them.
Please add Growing Faith to the agenda of your next PCC meeting and complete the questionnaire by 17 July 2021
One key part of the planned activity over the coming months includes the formation of Youth Speak, a forum made up entirely of young people in the Diocese of Chester which will meet on a regular basis to discuss issues important to young Christians.
In the future, the forum will be invited to present to Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod and encouraged to challenge decision-makers to ensure young people play a role in shaping diocesan strategy and policy.
"No more important task"
The Archdeacon of Chester, Mike Gilbertson, who chairs the Growing Faith working group, says there is much to be grateful for already: “There is no more important task than helping children and young people to grow in the Christian faith. Across the diocese, there are already some great examples of churches, schools and households working together to nurture faith among young people. Growing Faith will be about developing new resources, as well as finding ways for parishes, schools and households to share good practice and ideas in order to inspire others.”
Watch a short video about Growing Faith which includes comments from the Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner; mum-of-three, Sas; A-Level student, Ella; and youth worker, Rob.