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Introduction

The Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) organised not one, but two, major online events for parishes this month ... different audiences, loads fantastic speakers, but one aim: to reach children and young people and tell them the Good News of Jesus Christ.  

'Untapped', the Children's Ministry Digital Conference 2021 on February 13 was all about innovation! Those attending were able to hear, learn and discover more about some exciting and innovative ways to run children's ministry.

Meanwhile Abide: Bitesize was a series of four online sessions over February 5/6, creatively born out of a lockdown announcement that initially messed up plans for a big online youth event! Young people could watch and connect on their own of course, but parishes were encouraged to get groups together to meet on Zoom for Abide and then hang out and carry on the fun beyond the broadcast.

We asked Ben Green, Diocesan Youth Advisor and Sarah Earnshaw, Children's Work Adviser to give us the lowdown on the two events. First up is Sarah, then Ben. You can also click the links in the grey panel above to navigate straight to articles on this page.

'Untapped Children's Ministry Digital Conference 2021'

Sarah Earnshaw, Children's Work Adviser

This year’s children’s ministry conference organised by the Diocesan Board of Education team took place on Saturday, February 13 and was presented digitally for the first time.

This meant that as well as attracting participants from within the Diocese of Blackburn, there were delegates joining in from across the country for the full day event.

The conference was titled ‘Untapped’, which was inspired by the many encouraging stories shared over the last 12 months where people have been really creative and innovative in the ways that they have reached out to children and young people.

QUOTE: “This conference is always a highlight of my year. An opportunity to refocus and be inspired. I came away challenged, thoughtful and full of ideas. Thank you Sarah and team for a brilliant day.”

I am thrilled with the response we have had. I would like to think that every person that participated has been inspired by at least one thing that they can put into practice within their parish so that they can walk alongside children on a journey that leads to a life-long relationship with Jesus.

The conference also drew people’s attention to some of the other training and resources the Diocesan Board of Education offers, which is another thing that will have a positive lasting impact.

The keynote speakers for the event included Ben Jones from Missional Generation, speaking about ‘Unlocking the Kingdom of God within Children’s Ministry’; Victoria Beech, creator of GodVenture who shared some insights on how churches can support faith at home and our very own Archdeacon David Picken who spoke about why he thinks we should take children’s ministry seriously.

Besides the excellent keynotes, additional guests and seminar leaders included Mark Oliver, representing Scripture Union talking about Sports Ministry and Margaret Pritchard Houston, author of ‘Beyond the Children’s Corner’ who discussed the changing pastoral needs of modern families.

QUOTE: “Thanks for an amazing day. Inspirational, loads to think about and lots of practical resources too. Thanks to all the speakers and the DBE team.”

as well as having opportunity to listen to the speakers, participants were equipped by being given access to a special Facebook group as a place to talk about what they’ve heard, and a fantastic digital goody bag which provided exclusive offers and resource discounts, plus signposting to materials to support them in their ministry.

A number of delegates also won brilliant resources in the giveaways taking place throughout the day. Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive with many people saying that the speakers and seminar leaders had provoked them to reimagine their children’s work and to step out in faith and try something new.

  • For anyone that missed the event, recordings of the keynote talks will be made available for people to listen to via the ‘Train, Equip, Inspire’ section of the Board of Education website. 

Abide: Bitesize

Ben Green, Diocesan Youth Advisor

Youth groups from across Lancashire tuned in to Blackburn Diocese’s first online youth event, Abide BiteSize in February.

Held on YouTube (ThisIsAbide) the four sessions took place across meal-times filled with lots of laughs, the most awesome giveaways, games with some incredible forfeits PLUS special guests such as Youthscape's Rachel Gardner and Susie Aldridge of Dreaming The Impossible who helped us all explore different part of faith and living life with Jesus.

QUOTE: “Peter must have been like ‘Ah man, I’ve proper like messed this up.’ But yet Jesus just restores him and it just speaks so much of God using people in their brokenness. And no matter what you’ve done God can use you.” Susie Aldridge – Saturday Breakfast Session

Abide: Bitsize had a phenomenal impact. As lockdown restrictions became tighter the Abide Team held onto its focus of “doing it for the one”, doing everything for the one person who needs to hear these words from God.

So we were all blown away with hundreds of streams reported on the sessions; connecting with young people and youth leaders for which this was their first event connecting in this way with the team.

QUOTE: “Before you go charging into a conversation with someone who doesn’t know anything about your faith, talk to someone who is a Christian as well, who understands. Pad it out, work out what you believe, solidify it and then be ready to share!” Kaeli Spina – Friday Night

We are incredibly excited by the seeds sown at Abide BiteSize and we’re looking forward with excitement for the year ahead with more events planned, especially as we pray into what God has in store for Abide.

Thank you to all those who watched the sessions, donated prizes for the giveaways and, of course, our incredible guests.

Keep up to date with Abide on YouTube and Instagram (@ThisIsAbide) and watch out for more events being announced over the coming months!

Abide: Bitesize video resources

Below are links to the videos and highlight reels from the weekend ... 

 

 

 

 

 

Ronnie Semley, February 2021