Christ Church Bromley

On Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 February, the leaders of the two youth groups at Christ Church (11-14s and 14-18s) met with parents to share with them our vision and ideas for how we can develop our ministry to be more effective in our task of making disciples amongst 11-18s in Bromley.

The evenings consisted of three parts: looking at our vision and ideas, a time for questions and comments from the parents, and time spent praying for the young people and the work of both the parents & the leaders. They were great evenings, not least because they helped to forge and strengthen the relationship & partnership between parents and youth leaders which is so vital yet so often left out in Christian youth work.

For us leaders, the evenings were both a challenge and a massive encouragement. It was a challenge because it forced us to keep our feet firmly fixed on the Lord Jesus and his commission to us that requires us to keep reaching, growing and spreading the Gospel until he returns (Matthew 28:18-20 ). It was also helpful to be asked tough questions, which help us to see things from a parental perspective that most of us leaders are unaware of. The encouragements were just as important, as they confirmed to us that we are heading in a good and faithful direction.

As we stand on the verge of a period of thinking about our youth ministry and taking it forward, I am really excited about seeing our young people grow in their faith and be equipped more and more to reach their friends with the good news of Jesus.

I hope that you are, too.