The Methodist Church in Ireland’s Youth and Children’s Strategy
The Methodist Church in Ireland, through its youth and children’s team has been carrying out an ‘Exploring the land’ exercise in 2021/2022. As we emerged from the Pandemic, we recognised that it was a key time for us as a church to consider how and what we would do to continue to develop our work with the next generation.
We asked questions like; What is God asking of us? What are the opportunities? The challenges? Why do we want children and young people to be part of our church communities?
It was a time of ‘taking stock’ and ‘exploring the land,’ that involved surveys and focus groups both North and South. We were encouraged by the response to surveys and involvement in specific focus groups for parents, leaders/clergy, and young people, alongside group and individual conversations with clergy. Two reports were written to capture the findings that informed a strategic planning process.
The process involved the Connexional Team, Connexional Youth and Children’s advisory group and some key practitioners, including IMYC staff. The hope is that what we have observed and heard will inform and shape the churches work with and for young people and children over the next decade.
The task of reaching and walking with the ‘next’ generation is a whole church mission and task and so the vision and strategic priorities are not solely the job of those who we consider experts with young people and children, but for the Methodist Church as a family young and not so young, across this island.
To read the full strategy and find other helpful resources head to the Youth and Children’s Strategy section of our webiste.
