If you have any queries about the event, or ideas for future workshops and conferences, please contact: Phil Colvin (Diocesan Youth Coordinator) and Kate Newman (Youth and Children's Coordinator, Christ Church Cathedral)

What are children and youth looking for from church? That was one of the central questions posed time and again during the Children and Youth Leader’s Conference at Christ Church Cathedral on October 3^rd. The conference’s keynote speaker, Judy Steers, guided delegates to the writings of youth ministry theologian Kenda Dean for one possible answer: “They are looking for a soul-shaking, heart-waking, world-changing God to fall in love with and if they don't find it in church, they will settle for lesser gods elsewhere. In short, they are seeking what we all are seeking, unless, as adults, we have forgotten or given up!”

The conference was envisioned as being a gift for youth and children’s leaders from around the diocese. An event where they would come to receive spiritual nourishment and reconnect with a soul-shaking God for themselves; as well as to receive practical advice for their own ministries. As one of the workshop leaders, Clayton Imoo, remarked; often passionate leaders are willing to give much for their ministry but will not take time for themselves. Clayton works for the Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, and his workshop which drew on his experiences from his own denomination to highlight qualities of good leadership and ‘self care’ for anyone in Anglican youth ministry was well received by those who attended. A participant from the parish of St. Monica’s in Horseshoe Bay remarked: “Clay's presentation was peppered with humour and full of practical advice on how to be a Servant-Leader, without burning out, and how to train and care for youth ministry volunteers.  Clay's passion for his work shone through, as did his maturity and humility, as he shared some of his life lessons.”

In her keynote address, Judy Steers described her role as Youth Initiatives Coordinator for the Anglican Church as, in many ways, being someone who “draws threads together” from across the Canadian church and acts as a storyteller. Helping participants to forge connections, and share stories, with others around the diocese who share a vision for their ministries was another key aim of the conference. Four diocesan clergy, Dean Peter Elliot (Christ Church Cathedral), Rev. John Oakes (Holy Trinity, Vancouver), Rev. Jessica Schaap (St. James) and Rev. David Taylor (St. Mary’s, Kerrisdale) participated in a panel discussion sharing their own experiences of working with youth and children and helping to allay common fears of parish life. “I’m not going to be offended if my words aren’t heard,” replied David Taylor to a question about how he felt if children screamed during his sermons, “I think ‘great!’ It doesn’t phase me and it shouldn’t phase others because anxiety is contagious. One of my goals is to radiate a non anxious presence.”

Also sharing their stories were Rev. Scott Gould and Suzanne Morgan; who led a workshop on the Journey to Adulthood youth ministry and spiritual formation program. The showed how J2A has transformed how their parish, St. Andrews Langley, undertakes ministry: from being led by youth leaders to bring embraced by the whole parish. The Diocesan Youth Movement led two workshops. One with younger members of the DYM leadership team taking questions on their own experiences of youth ministry, the other led by myself and DYM chair Mark Hainsworth showing how at the centre of every successful youth ministry lies a passionate vision and a clearly articulated purpose. And conference co-organizer, Kate Newman, led a practical session on helping children’s leaders deal with difficult behaviors in their Sunday School classes.

Judy, who also leads the youth theology program Ask & Imagine at Huron College, led a workshop focusing on children’s ministry and her experiences facilitating the renowned Godly Play program in her own parish. Like youth, Judy argues, children also need to be given more from their ministry than just distractions. Children (and youth) do not need a lifetime of crafts and sanitized Bible stories, rather they need a safe place to ask "no holds barred" questions (not necessarily getting definitive answers) and a place where they can feel and experience belonging, healing, purpose, connection, relationships, acceptance and love. 

Drawing the threads together in her closing address at the end of a busy and well received day, Judy went back to the image of the ‘lesser gods’ and remarked that one of the keys to transformative youth and children’s ministry is for the leaders of those ministries to “let go” of their fears and of the political distractions in parish life. The aim of the ministry, as Judy shares it, is very simple: “Create spaces where people create relationships with each other… Out of great love will come great life.”