Comments on: Tweenagers http://www.jonjolly.com/2007/03/20/tweenagers/ my life and youth work... Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:31:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Claire http://www.jonjolly.com/2007/03/20/tweenagers/#comment-964 Claire Mon, 26 Mar 2007 10:17:23 +0000 http://www.jonjolly.com/2007/03/20/tweenagers/#comment-964 This is something which is a big feature of my work at the moment as well. In our youth work vision/strategy document we've said that we'll put a focus on the 9-13s age group (recognising that children are becoming youth earlier now) but this is easier said than done. Like yourself, most of those that I work with in this age group within the church are engaged in some part of the activity of the church. Some of them have astounding head knowledge of all things God-related but like you I yearn to see it deeply affecting their lives, to find ways of helping them express worship in a relevant and meaningful way. I think one of the biggest challenges in this age group is that some days they can come and be like children, really needing so many games and activities and not being remotely mature. On other days they can come in and be mature, ready for discussion and full of insightful comments. There's never any telling how any of them will enter a group on any one day, and they're never all in the same frame of mind! This is what makes it exciting and awesome, but also deeply challenging! I look forward to some of the ensuing discussion and wisdom :) This is something which is a big feature of my work at the moment as well. In our youth work vision/strategy document we’ve said that we’ll put a focus on the 9-13s age group (recognising that children are becoming youth earlier now) but this is easier said than done. Like yourself, most of those that I work with in this age group within the church are engaged in some part of the activity of the church. Some of them have astounding head knowledge of all things God-related but like you I yearn to see it deeply affecting their lives, to find ways of helping them express worship in a relevant and meaningful way. I think one of the biggest challenges in this age group is that some days they can come and be like children, really needing so many games and activities and not being remotely mature. On other days they can come in and be mature, ready for discussion and full of insightful comments. There’s never any telling how any of them will enter a group on any one day, and they’re never all in the same frame of mind! This is what makes it exciting and awesome, but also deeply challenging! I look forward to some of the ensuing discussion and wisdom :)

]]> By: Jon http://www.jonjolly.com/2007/03/20/tweenagers/#comment-945 Jon Wed, 21 Mar 2007 23:06:37 +0000 http://www.jonjolly.com/2007/03/20/tweenagers/#comment-945 Hi Ali, Thanks for taking the time to post a comment. Let me know if your training day comes off. The second point you made is an interesting one. Do the 11-14's currently have any way of influencing church life? No, not really - but it is something I've been thinking about. A few individuals have opportunities in the wider church (AV, playing instruments, etc.) but is it possible to help facilitate this for everyone? I got a lot more thinking to do! Hi Ali,

Thanks for taking the time to post a comment. Let me know if your training day comes off.

The second point you made is an interesting one. Do the 11-14’s currently have any way of influencing church life? No, not really - but it is something I’ve been thinking about. A few individuals have opportunities in the wider church (AV, playing instruments, etc.) but is it possible to help facilitate this for everyone?

I got a lot more thinking to do!

]]> By: Ali Campbell http://www.jonjolly.com/2007/03/20/tweenagers/#comment-944 Ali Campbell Wed, 21 Mar 2007 16:41:02 +0000 http://www.jonjolly.com/2007/03/20/tweenagers/#comment-944 Hey Jon, I think Ian McDonald (Youthblog) is writing something for Grove Booklets on this - he would certainly be up for sharing his reflections. I'm thinking of running a training / equipping day in the Diocese in the autumn exploring how the church engages with this age group, certainly in the CofE we see many voting with their feet as they hit 11/12 or get confirmed . . . it is crucial we have a discipleship / faith nurture structure - which games can be part of, but begin to instill the need for personal spiritual discipline. A couple of key things, 11-14s still need structure (which sometimes gets chucked) and they need a challenge (how are they involved in deciding what happens in Church life)? Hey Jon,

I think Ian McDonald (Youthblog) is writing something for Grove Booklets on this - he would certainly be up for sharing his reflections.

I’m thinking of running a training / equipping day in the Diocese in the autumn exploring how the church engages with this age group, certainly in the CofE we see many voting with their feet as they hit 11/12 or get confirmed . . . it is crucial we have a discipleship / faith nurture structure - which games can be part of, but begin to instill the need for personal spiritual discipline.

A couple of key things, 11-14s still need structure (which sometimes gets chucked) and they need a challenge (how are they involved in deciding what happens in Church life)?

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