Connect Children & Youth Strategy

The Methodist children and youth team carried out a consultation with a number of stakeholders:

Children, young people, children, family workers, youth workers,  Ministers, District development enablers, Training officers. We pulled all the information together and have developed a model to support childrens ministry in the Methodist church.

This is  model of Childrens ministry is underpinned by children  connecting  with God, each other and the world. Enabling children to think as disciples, talk as disciples and be disciples. This view of Ministry with children is not one from the perspective of empty vessels to be filled but one of nurture, children are growing seeds who are experiencing and living their faith. Creating space to enable children to explore spirituality and understand it, enables them to be confident in expressing that faith. Spiritual development and faith development work hand in hand not either or.

This model is based upon the following beliefs

• Children are equal partners with adults in the life of the church
• Learning is for the whole church
• Mission  and Ministry is for and with children as well as adults
• The call to evangelism comes at whatever age
• The concept of priesthood of all believers includes children
• The Holy Spirit works through children as well as adults

The Model has seven key themes

• Valuing
• Think, talk and be with God
• 21^st Century Church
• Equipping the Equippers
• Teaching and challenge
• Participation

Valuing – enabling the church to understand and embrace childrens ministry and responding to and challenging media, society and church perception and portrayal of children and young people

Resourcing and training not only those involved in ministry with children and  moving away from a culture of separation but creating more opportunities for intergenerational activities and participation. Resource and enable children to explore issues of culture, identity, self worth, and value.

Think Talk and be with God - Exploring a theology of children through their eyes and empowering and nurturing children to think,talk and be with god. Changing the culture of childrens ministry from being product driven to process driven enabling more time for spiritual development.. In the same way we would reflect and evaluate our practice and programmes, we need incorporate evaluating our practices for Childrens spiritual quality.ensuring we provide good spiritual foundations. In what we do.

21^st century church – enabling children to engage with church in a cultural context and to experience different forms of church and worship, intergenerational as well as with peers, also to input into the  worship life of the church.

Supporting the workers Supporting and nurturing those who deliver childrens ministry, resourcing and encouraging personal development and well being. Enabling those working with children to connect with God and  to have space to think, talk and be with God. Resourcing children as equippers.

Teaching and challenge resource and training to enable appropriate teaching, challenge and nurture to children on their faith journey. Enabling space for spiritual exploration and Vocational exploration with children.

Participation – develop and promote effective models for the participation of children and young people in the mission and ministry of the church. Participation is about the whole church consulting and involving children in decisions that effect them.

Speaking Out acting as advocate and connecting people with issues that affect the lives of children in Britain and across the globe. And providing opportunities for children to speak out and take action.

The seven Key themes are a tool to use in creating a culture that enables children to think as disciples, talk as disciples and be disciples. Enabling  them to express and explore their spirituality and  to fully participate in all aspects of their faith Journey.