Youth Churches - what's your opinion?

26 May 2009

Church Army's Sorted project is featured in this month's Youthwork magazine.

The magazine's 'ground level' section reports regularly on the true stories, experiences and lessons that come directly out of youth ministries. In this month's section Andy Milne explains how the Sorted youth congregation of Bradford came to pass.

"Sorted began when I first sat down on the curb with some young people who were skateboarding. It was a freezing, dark, windy night, but this was where they liked to hang out, have fun and try tricks. Consequently, once a week we would all hang out together, get to know each other and chat about life and God."

A few years later, these same people had not only formed Sorted, but now serve as its leaders. From humble beginnings as a group of three, via a cold and dirty portacabin in the local school ('the POD') Sorted grew slowly as more young people met to skate, play football, listen to music and chat about anything that was on their minds. General conversations about spirituality eventually led some of them to faith in Jesus Christ. The meetings in parks, on curbs and in the POD led to regular 'congregations' in various local church buildings, and Sorted now has around 70 regular members who meet every week for worship, prayer and bible study.

Sorted 2 has since been launched, and this group already has over 20 regular members. All of this has taken place in an area of Bradford that has long been a byword for social deprivation. Andy talks of his ministry as being a privilege, in that he has been accepted, respected and trusted by so many different young people. These deep friendships are the foundation of Sorted, and the catalyst for its continuing development.

You can see a short film about Andy on this website.

 

In the Youthwork article Andy outlines 'five things to remember when setting up a youth church', and we have based this month's poll upon his experience.

Church Army would like to know YOUR OPINION on youth churches.

Please follow this link to our poll, and cast your vote on the subject. Thank you.