YOUTH EVANGELISM FUND

This year sees Worcester diocese getting the Youth Evangelism Fund. I have just received the briefing documents for this so will be preparing application packs and publicity over the next couple of weeks.

For those of you already thinking that this might be FOR YOU, take a look at the criteria set for those applying:

Aims
The Fund affirms projects and proposals that share the Good News of Jesus Christ in ways that make sense to young people.

Projects and proposals should:
• be creative, prayerful and culturally appropriate for young people.
• be planned and developed by young people themselves.
• demonstrate the love and justice of God practically.
• have a “local” focus - towards young people in a specific community, area, or network.
• start something new (or build on what already exists in a new way).
• build on partnership and co-operation between different churches and organisations.
• form part of a wider strategy for the Church’s mission in an area or community.
• have been well-researched, and draw on examples of good practice.

Projects and proposals should enable young people to :
• encounter the Gospel at their own pace and in their own way.
• come to participate more fully in the life of the Church, either within the existing Christian community or through a fresh expression of church.

Criteria for applications
Applications should :
• be made by young people, and developed with their active contribution and involvement.
• have clear aims and objectives, and be able to explain why this project is being suggested, what it hopes to achieve, and how.
• learn from recognised good practice. (New and radical ideas for youth evangelism will be welcome, but these will need to be carefully thought through.)
• involve careful and appropriate consultation – for example with local church leaders, diocesan specialists (particularly youth and mission/evangelism officers), and relevant authorities (such as schools, colleges, local authorities).
• be aimed at the 11 to 20 age group.
• be clear how the proposal fits into the mission strategy of the Church locally.
• fit into an overall pattern of work with young people, and show how young people who make a Christian commitment will be able to nurture and develop their faith.
• be undergirded by a sound understanding of equal opportunity issues.
• reflect and incorporate good child protection procedures.

Priority will be given to :
• evangelism in areas where the Church is weakest in its outreach to young people (for
example in deeply rural or inner urban areas, or in small and struggling churches,
or among those marginalised within society).
• projects that seek to engage with distinctive youth cultures and groupings.
• specific, time-limited projects, or provision of “seed” money to help a project get started.
• projects which involve a partnership with local churches, communities or Christian organisations.

Successful applicants will:
• normally receive only part of the total cost of the venture, depending on the circumstances of the project and its needs.
• be expected to share their insights and experiences with other groups and churches, so that lessons and good practice can be shared.
• take particular care when relating to people from non-Christian faith traditions.
• ensure that evangelism is not manipulative or aggressive, and at all times respect the freedom and integrity of young people.
• encourage the development of local creative prayer support.