YOUTH WORK SUMMIT 23rd October 2010

Youth Work Summit

23rd October 2010



The information below comes straight off the website, have a read – then, if you like the sound of this – book yourself in! I will be there, but do not let that put you off . . .

There's this idea that's been buzzing around the heads of some of us involved in youth ministry for some time, and it won't go away. It's the idea of a new kind of youth work event, created by youth workers, for youth workers.

It's the idea of breaking down old ways of doing things, and finding new ones. Of listening to a wider range of voices than ever before, from parts of the church - and the world outside it - that normally we wouldn't stop to engage with.

It's the idea of creating genuine dialogue between youth workers of all Christian traditions, who talk and pray together to shape creative responses to the challenges of twenty-first century youth ministry. It's the idea of curating a moment of genuine unity, where theology and ideology is momentarily put aside in the light of the bigger picture.

We had this idea, and we knew it was a good one. So we set out to create this new kind of event, which has led to our first Youthwork Summit, in London, and an immediate commitment to take it to other parts of the UK in the months and years to come.

We're committed to making these events different to anything you've seen before, but of course, that's easy for us to say. What we can promise - if you decide to come along - is that you'll hear lots of voices, including some you've never heard before. We can promise you'll be among friends, with whom you can have fun, share ideas, and pray. We won't have 'celebrity' speakers, hiding in a green room together; we'll just be together, sharing our hearts, and, we pray, meeting with God.

We also promise that this will be a place for new ideas - even if they're only half-formed. Perhaps by being present on the day, your insight will provide someone else's solution. Finally, we're promising a forum for discussion, where speakers will be immediately available for dialogue, and won't just talk, but also listen.

Just the way that this seems to be coming together is causing us excitement, and as we work to create a truly challenging programme, engage with technology in new ways, and of course, encourage you to be there, one thing is sure: it's going to be one special day.

So here it is - the first Youthwork Summit - our Big Idea for an event about big ideas. Why not come along for the ride as we find out where it goes?

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I am really excited about this event, and it would be great for lots of people from the diocese to be there – if you do book in it would be great to know and we can travel together or meet up while we are there!