Though many ministers did express satisfaction with the current role of the Youth Board, if one thing is clear, its that you can please some of the people some of the time, but….

"Keep pumping out info about resources / events"

"Do not send so much mail!!"

"Please communicate with me much more personally rather than always posting colourful literature…I long to meet the 'senders'"

 

• In fact we were hugely grateful and encouraged by the amount of effort to which so many ministers in particular had gone in responding to the questionnaire. Those quotes are a light-hearted example of the huge variety of opinions on every imaginable topic. 65% of ministers did say that "the Youth Board plays a vital role in the life of our denomination" and 62% of them agreed that "the Youth Board understands the issues of working with young people in local congregations". However, through the range of views expressed, including some strong statements, it was clear that the expectations of us as a Board are enormous.



• In response to several of the issues raised, there were calls for increased presence on the ground through personal contact, support and training. There was recognition of the struggles which exist in having a "in person" contact with every one of our great variety of congregation, as our third quote anticipated. Some were realistic and keen to point out that this requires more staff.

"Richard Houston is a vital link - but he's stretched too much" - Minister

"I would love if each Presbytery could have its own Presbytery Development Officer"- Minister

"It is hard for the Youth Board to effectively help every congregation in PCI. We need local youth pastors in every Presbytery and this should be funded through United Appeal under the care of the Youth Board. It would be worth investing in" - Minister


Finally, one quote which responds to all the issues raised:

"I just wonder if some of the wrong perceptions in the denomination as a whole might be overcome if the Youth Board were to be seen to be presenting a kind of coherent model of Youth Ministry." - Minister

Resources, training, good events for teenagers to join and grow spiritually with other Presbyterian young people …. these are just a few of the areas highlighted as the role you want for the Youth Board.

 

Let Me Respond

 

• www.pciyouth.org, our redesigned web-site, and in fact being re-launched THIS FRIDAY, will give you a clear insight into the services the Youth Board provides for our denomination. I encourage you to visit the site if you have never done so and go and look at it again, infact use it regularly as a means of keeping in touch with what is available. We really do try to serve you through every aspect of the work.



• Field Staff: Many of you want more, especially regionally based staff who understand the issues specific to your region and your young people. We agree. However …..


• current Youth Board staff supported financially by our denomination are one executive officer, one part-time co-ordinator for Year Team and volunteers and the Church House based admin. staff.
• The Field Officer for N.I. is supported through a grant from the Jerusalem Trust and a legacy left to the Youth Board. This post will end with that funding in 2 years time if we do not pick it up as a denomination.
• The Donegal/Monaghan Youth and Support Worker is funded through a grant from Department of Youth Affairs in the Republic.
• The Reconciliation Programme Officer is funded through a reconciliation grant from Department of Foreign Affairs in Republic.
• The Youth Centre Staff are funded by European Grants and income from Youth Centre business.
• When asked what ways the Youth Board could support your work more effectively , one minister wrote: ' Be more in tune with small rural congregations who have small numbers. Give more ideas for group work etc. I would however have major concern over the political direction the Youth Board is heading in; for example why not appoint a youth evangelist rather than the political appointment of a Preparing Youth for Peace person. The Youth Board need to redefine priorities.
• I would love to see a Youth Evangelist available to our denomination, but folks we cannot get outside funding for such a post. We need to decide as a denomination to make such a work a priority. The Youth Board have not prioritised to have a Reconciliation Programme Officer rather than a Youth Evangelist. However we will not hold back on engaging in an important ministry if we can get outside funding for it. We need both but have designated funds for only one of these roles.
• Serving our denomination well and providing the resources, training and support you have told us you want, requires an adequate core of professional staff along with an army of volunteers.



• Specific Resources. This incoming year we will be producing two resources for you.
• A guide to the role of a FTYW and Volunteer Youth Leader.
• A Resource Manual which will detail this research and corresponding models of ministry and ministry outlines, programme ideas, strategy plans and nurture/discipleship guidelines. This will be available next Assembly.

 

Conclusion

 

Many of the issues not addressed here ….. the particular issues faced by a rural/urban congregation, the challenges of living in a divided society, the middle class church reaching working class communities ….. will be followed up in the Resource Manual.