As we were discussing the remit and scope of the newly launched CYM research centre in February 2024, it seemed important to carry out a substantial piece of research work to find out more about the challenges, issues, gaps and opportunities relating to ministry in these areas…so we embarked on: Taking the pulse of ministries amongst children, youth and families.
In Spring 2024, we captured the views and experiences of over 2000: church leaders; Christian parents and grandparents; youth, children’s and family paid and voluntary workers; chaplains; and children and young people themselves. We asked them to share their views on the health of ministry amongst children, youth and families in their respective churches and locations.
Our hope is that in doing this piece of research, we have captured some of the heart, some of stories and some of the hopes of key stakeholders in raising faith in the younger generations of the church and beyond. As we share these research findings with mission organisations, para-church groups, denominations and local churches and ministries, we want them to prompt reflection on how existing ministry can be enhanced, to spark new ways of thinking, and to foster more dialogue and greater collaborations.
The research was completed in September 2024 and the report (available below) was published online on 1st October 2024.
We welcome further dialogue on the themes identified in this report. Please contact our Director of Research, Sarah Holmes, with any enquiries.