Jenny’s letter 25th May
Dear friends,
I write to you with a renewed sense of hope, challenge, and calling after being away for the last three days.
I have the privilege of taking part in a national Church of England training course focused on ministry with Children, Young People, and Families (CYPF). This is part of the Church’s bold vision to train 30,000 people across the country to better serve, disciple, and reach the next generation. This includes 3 residentials in Derby.
Out of the many faithful churches in our diocese, I was one of just three people selected to participate in this course—and one of only 75 nationally. This is both a great honour and a serious responsibility.
I believe the bishop chose our church not only because of our existing work with children but because we are seen as a “middle-sized” congregation with significant potential (based on my existing skills and the statistics we have previously sent in). When we think of those numbers, it’s important to understand that attendance isn’t only measured by Sunday mornings but that a lot of our connection with children and families happens in the week in various ministries. The figures don’t include our work with schools.
One of the key next steps is to look at all the ways we are already engaging—and then ask, “Where is God calling us next?” And perhaps more honestly for some of you, ‘Do we really want more children and young people’ ?
It’s easy to say “yes” in theory. Who wouldn’t want a lively, vibrant church full of young voices and families? But welcoming children and young people means we may need to change even further, adapt, and grow—not just in numbers, but in mindset, structures, publicity and communication and culture. Are we willing to do that? We have taken some really good steps but the next ones may be a bit more uncomfortable. It might mean noise in the sanctuary, even more mess in the centre, and rearranged priorities. It might mean trying new things but equally, letting go of some traditions to make space for new ones. It will certainly mean more volunteers, more planning, and deeper prayer.
We cannot do this alone. We need to be intentional and prayerful about how we welcome and disciple families. What new structures do we need to put in place? What resources are required? And crucially, who will step forward to help build?
I want to be honest: many of our volunteers are tired. I see the same faithful few always putting their hands up—week after week, event after event. Their commitment is inspiring, but it’s also unsustainable.
And then there are those who, for various reasons, never put their hand up. This isn’t a guilt trip—it’s a heartfelt invitation to those of you yet to engage in any of our work. We want you, we need you to get involved. As Paul writes in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” That harvest might just be a generation of children who know Jesus, who grow in faith, and who one day lead the Church.
The Church of England, in its Vision and Strategy for the 2020s, states:“We want to be a Church where younger generations find a home… where all ages are engaged, included, and valued.” This is not a side ministry. It’s central to our mission. Here in Bromborough it has been one of the three objectives that we have had for the last two years.
So let’s be persistent in our prayer. Let’s ask God to show us how we can become the kind of church where children and young people don’t just attend—but belong, grow, and thrive. And then, let’s take steps—small or large—to make that vision a reality. Whether it’s helping with a weekday group, offering administrative support, providing snacks, or simply being a welcoming face—you have a part to play.
I’m excited to share more of what I’ve learned in the weeks ahead. But more than anything, I pray that we would be a church that sees every child not as a burden, but as a blessing, every family not as a challenge, but as a calling.
With gratitude and hope,
