Published on: 24/07/2026
Prioritising the voices of young people in church is being highlighted thanks to the contribution of young leaders at Diocesan Conference.
Members of the Young Leaders’ Community attended Diocesan Conference from the 14-16 July and presented a workshop called, ‘Young people in church’, and were part of discussions around LYCiG (Leading Your Church into Growth) during the three days.
During the workshop, the young leaders shared about how we can welcome young people into church and help them feel like they belong. Katy started off the talks with discussions about their own experiences of church as young people, then Abby shared about different ways we can invite young people to get involved and to serve and lead in church to show them that they belong. Linda then shared her insights about welcoming young people into church, helping us think about how young people might feel coming to church for the first time, then Paddy drew it all together, prompting us to consider the real impact on young people when they are welcomed and feel that they belong in church.
Abby explains that young people need to be part of the conversation around any youth focus in churches, saying it’s not helpful to have conversations that don’t include them:
‘It’s important we’re here (as young leaders) so that you hear the voice of young people instead of just adults. It’s not enough if it’s just adults in the room referring to what they do for the youth without actually hearing from us.
‘I think getting youth involved is so important. One invitation into a role of leadership, or one invitation into a church, can completely change how a young person sees a place within the church family.’
Katy adds that assumptions shouldn’t be made about signposting information for youth:
‘Young people have such a unique perspective on the church, and we want to have a voice in changing the church for the better as much as everybody else does. It’s important to be actively asking young people to do things because we want to do things. We don’t always know that the opportunities are there and the young people want to do it, so acting intentionally is really important.’
Linda said:
‘Young people view things from a different perspective, and those perspectives are key in growing the church further. We want to create spaces where youths feel welcome and where they can ask questions about their faith, freely; places where the questions will be answered and where they’ll just get to learn more and grow in Christ.’
Paddy said:
‘We, as much as everyone else, have a voice in this diocese, and we’re not just the here and now, but we’re also the future and the other way around. So, having this voice and having the opportunity to be here is something so important for not only just us, but also the Diocese as a whole.
‘I hope people aren’t reluctant to embrace change moving forward – that would be a key theme that I want people to take away from this’.
Rachel Baker, Young Leaders’ Community Enabler, said:
‘It is so important that young leaders were able to attend the conference and be part of the leadership discussions happening there. Something I hear again and again from members of the Young Leaders’ Community is that they are not just the church of tomorrow, but they’re also the church now. During the conference, Katy, Abby, Linda and Paddy were part of key discussions with other leaders in their churches and the diocese, but it’s vital that we keep inviting young people into conversations about leadership and strategy so that their perspectives and insights can shape the now and the future of the church.’
The young leaders who attended conference are all members of the Young Leaders’ Community, which is a place to belong for young people aged 10-18 who are interested in leadership. Being a member allows young people to access leadership training and to hear about exciting leadership opportunities like this one. You can find out more and register on the Diocese website: Young Leaders’ Community – The Diocese of Sheffield
