Generation has been the voice of Canadian Anglican Youth Ministry since June 2006. We’re excited to continue exploring the changing face of youth ministry with The Community.
Our youth ministries have been strengthened in recent years by by gathering on-line and in-person. Such gatherings have included Ask & Imagine, Generation 2008, Common Ground 2011, CLAY, and Stronger Together.
At Stronger Together – a national gathering of Anglican Diocesan Youth MInistry Staff and volunteers – our community drafted a vision for Youth Ministry throughout the country. The first draft was created out of conversations and reflections at the gathering in 2011 at Camp Columbia in British Columbia. It was further refined in 2012 at the Kingsfold Retreat Centre in Cochrane, Alberta.
What this is NOT
- It is NOT a mandate, or a ‘top down decree’ for youth ministry nationally
- It is NOT being ‘imposed’ on anyone
What this IS
- It IS a set of visions and values that have been prayerfully developed over the past two years by the people who are responsible for youth ministry in various places and ministries across Canada.
- It IS intended as a guideline to help you when establishing a vision, or a set of values for youth ministry in your own unique context, knowing that other Anglican Dioceses across Canada are working with the same set of values. This might help us have some coherence to how we understand the important considerations for us as we think about youth ministry.
Our Values for Ministry With and Among Young People in Canada:
Foundational to our understanding of the nature and task of youth ministry is “participating in God’s action.” Youth ministry at the local level, then, is the ministry of the church that seeks to participate in God’s action with and among young people.
1) Knowing God
In all we do, we never forget who we are: humans created in the image of God beautiful, broken and loved.
2) Living in Christ
Our work is anchored in the priority of living out a vital relationship with Jesus Christ and sharing that way of life.
3) Missional Direction
Our work is to empower young people to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
4) Beyond Survival
Stories of effective ministry with and among young people inspire expectation and hope among Anglicans, inviting the church to move beyond survival and fear to trusting God and claiming what is life giving.
5) God Conversations
We are intentional about having God conversations with young people, equipping and encouraging them to share the story of their faith with the wider community.
6) Bold Experimentation
We foster experimentation recognizing the gifts of our rootedness in our rich heritage and story. Our ministries with and among young people are environments that empower creativity, leave room for failure and provide opportunities for learning and growth.
7) Spiritual Practice
We commit to re-affirming and renewing our faith through worship, the study of scripture and spiritual practices.
8) Individual Young People
We always keep in mind the reality that somewhere there’s a young person who is yearning to deepen their relationship with God and is waiting to be connected to a transforming Christian community.
