Press Releases
CHURCH BRIDGES YOUTH 'GAP YEARS'
The Church of Ireland is excited about its ministry with young people as its streamlined youth department meets the challenge of resourcing youth work across Ireland.| In his first report to the Church's General Synod meeting in Dublin next week, David Brown, 36, the Church of Ireland Youth Ministry Co-ordinator will sound an optimistic note about how young people respond to matters of faith. David has travelled thousands of miles during his first year in office visiting parishes from Limerick to Lurgan, Galway to Groomsport and Sligo to Strangford. He says: "We have large numbers of young people linked to parishes and there is much good youth work going on at local level. We could say the 'gap year' as far as formal church links is concerned is around the 15 -16 years age group. Then, after confirmation, many young people tend to take-off in various directions. |
"But in my experience this is not necessarily about young people losing faith. On the contrary many young people believe in God but simply don't attend regular church services".
David suggests that in the context of Christian faith there are three categories of young people: the church members who grow to a mature faith; the 'churchless' faithful and those of little faith who still say they believe in God but not in the church.
The big religious events continue to attract thousands of young people including the Summer Madness Festival.
"Summer Madness has been described as an adult child of the Church of Ireland that now stands on its own feet", says David. "It works side by side with us here at CIYD and we maintain good working relations with the organisers. It is always good to share ideas and to continue learning from one another."
The Church of Ireland General Synod is held over three days in the Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin south from Tuesday, 13 May to Thursday, 15 May.
Further information from:
THE CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
61 - 67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH
Tel: (028) 9023 2909
Fax: (028) 9032 3554
Email:The Press Office