From Adrian Blenkinsop
In a world where the Christian faith is less of a serious option for our young people, wouldn’t it be good to know what helps young people to move ahead on strong, resilient faith journeys?
And what if, rather than making assumptions and speaking on their behalf, we listened to them. Really listened to them.
This is where Converge Oceania’s ‘Your Story’ research project comes in, offering insights into the faith journeys of young people, and the factors that influence those journeys in both positive and negative ways. Converge describes itself as “A community of youth orientated individuals and agencies that exist to support and equip the church in Australia and New Zealand to continue to reach and disciple young people.” Converge gathers youth and young adult thinkers and practitioners, from agencies and denominations including Scripture Union Australia, Scripture Union NSW, Baptist churches, Ridley College, ACOM, Veta Youth, Bible Society Australia, Scripture Union NZ, Access the Story, the Uniting Church, Christian Schools Australia, the Lutheran Church, Schools Ministry Group, the Salvation Army, as well as chaplains, youth leaders and senior ministers.
‘Your Story: How Young Australians Understand and Experience God’ is a unique, ground-breaking research project which has heard directly from 439 young Australians aged 16 to 20, exploring questions around who and what has shaped their faith through their childhood, early adolescence, to the present time.
This research gives us an unprecedented understanding not just of where young people are currently, but what their faith journey has been like from childhood to now – including all the twists and turns across the different eras of their life. What is particularly distinctive about this research project is that Converge has been able to identify the developmental narratives that lie behind young people’s present understanding and experience of God.
So, not just WHAT young people are believing – but HOW they got there.
There are significant implications for how the church understands and practises discipleship, and how we might best nurture faith journeys in constructive, enabling, and life-giving ways. These findings may change the long-term trajectory of young people’s lives and the future of churches, Christian denominations, agencies and christian schools.
These stories are a gift, and it’s now time to share them through a series of conferences happening in Australia in November. Dr Graham Stanton and Dr Rowan Lewis will unpack what they’ve discovered about the supportive and contrary factors for robust discipleship, and how these factors impact the faith journeys of our young people.
“Melbourne: Thursday, November 7 at the Scripture Union head office
Adelaide: Tuesday, November 12, Burnside City Uniting Church
Brisbane: Thursday, November 14Arana Hills Church of Christ
Registrations: https://www.convergeoceania.com/conference
Each conference will be an informative, practical and collaborative event addressing churches, youth groups, schools, families, training institutions and other community-based Christian organisations. They are specifically designed for: Childrens & Family Workers, Youth Workers, Chaplains, Christian teachers, Christian parents, Senior church leaders and Trainers.
Participants will be invited to reflect on their own context and consider how their ministry practice can be shaped by these stories.
Zoë (19)
As I’ve gotten older, mum has encouraged me not to just listen to everything she believes but to find answers for myself. This helped me know that my faith had become my own.
Sophie (20)
My youth minister wasn’t open to new ideas at all and only wanted to force his beliefs on us. He didn’t want us to think for ourselves and he was one of the main reasons I began the process of losing my faith.
Oliver (18)
School teachers – You were amazing. You saw me, celebrated me, allowed me the chance to uncover my gifts and talents. You gave me opportunities to understand God and learn to love him. You were a safe place for me
Jaxon (18)
The love and support shown by all the leaders created a welcoming environment. I didn’t feel pressured to be a Christian, but I was encouraged to take my faith more seriously than I was
Jai. (18)
Faith is difficult because idk what God feels like. And I’ve lived without thinking of ‘God’ for so long. Growing up in a Christian school had its upsides and downsides. But I think being too sheltered and forced to be in a ‘Christian’ environment has put off many of my peers from Christianity. And I would be lying if I said it hadn’t negatively swayed me too. …although I have doubts and question everything for me there is no way that there isn’t any God because for some reason the possibility of tHAT doesn’t make sense to me lol. I just don’t know that God very well.
Laine (17)
Being queer in a christian household. I’m gay, so, yeah. I did kinda walk away from the environment i was raised in a bit.
To find out more about Converge and the Your Story project contact Adrian Blenkinsop at [email protected]
Image from converge.