Young People At The Heart – for starting new youth ministry in your parish.
We are piloting this newly developed programme to assist parishes start new youth ministry. Every parish is different, so Y-Path offers a bespoke journey from no youth ministry, to discerning what you can do with the young people in your community to build relationships, grow trust, empower and encourage faith… and then to get it started!
Each of the five 2-hour sessions are filled with practical steps to help you launch the right project for your parish, shaped around your local contexts and needs among young people. A discipleship group, sports group, drop in, homework club, lunchtime or after schools group, bible study, listening group, boardgames or crafts… whatever is right for you, Y-Path will help you do it safely and sustainably.
Each Y-Path session ends with a half-hour lunch where stories and conversations can continue informally.
A few parishes are being invited to take part for who we feel this is the right time for this programme. We plan to run Y-Path annually for parishes ready to launch new youth ministry.
The first programme runs from November 2026 to April 2027. Parishes will invite a small team of key people (including Centenary Project Ministers) who will work together in this venture. Some of these will be people involved in the running and leading of the new group.
If you have any young leaders in the church, you are encouraged to hear their ideas and opinions and involve them in your plans.
Mike North and his CYF team, alongside some of our excellent Young Leaders in the diocese will walk with you as much as you need in order to see new youth ministry get established in your church or community. They will listen to you, help you problem-solve and think creatively as we ask God to lead us all into his plans for our diocese.
Every session runs from 10am-12:30pm (including lunch from 12pm). The dates and venues are:
- Sat 21 November – Rotherham United Football Stadium
- Thurs 14 January – Todwick Church Hall
- Thurs 25 February – Todwick Church Hall
- Wed 17 March – Todwick Church Hall
- Sat 10 April – Back at Rotherham United Football Stadium
You’ll need to commit to all the dates and to give time to work on plans between sessions. There will be additional e-learning videos you will be invited to watch to help equip yourselves for this new ministry, and ongoing practical support is offered by the CYF team who are all experienced youth ministers.
A brief outline of each session:
- Listening to young people and culture / history and opportunities in your parish / theology of young people / exploring models of youth ministry / ministry with young people
- Adolescence and development / identity / spirituality and formation / the gospel and meeting needs / starting a plan
- Faith formation / relational ministry / strategic planning / partnerships / resources
- Sustainable ministry / different approaches to ministry / using the Bible in ministry / spiritual styles
- Pastoral ministry / mental health / young people in the church / dealing with the highs and low / whole-church involvement
If you have any questions about Y-Path, and how it will be run, you can contact Mike at mike.north@sheffield.anglican.org.