Terms of Reference for the Youth and Family Ministries VSST

The Youth and Family Ministries Vision Strategy and Support Team will concentrate on initiatives that will make possible the healthy integration of children, youth, and families, into the life and work of each Parish, Region and the wider Diocese. The team will meet quarterly.

Vision:   Interpret the Diocesan Vision of being a “Christ-centred, mission-minded, ministering community of faith” in light of the children, youth, and families who are currently within the Anglican community and with those of the wider community.      

Strategy:  Develop short term (such as “Send Yourself to Synod – Flat Stanley Project”) and long term strategies (such as annual Regional Training for Youth Ministry events in each region) for implementing the vision in parishes, regions and throughout the Diocese.  Consider the capacity of the volunteers and structures available and the sustainability needs of each task group.

Support:  Required - Secure adequate resources of all kinds for the Vision to be implemented effectively.  This would include needs assessments in areas such as - financial, volunteer staff, office staff resources, technology, training and equipping of leaders.   Offered – Consultation with parishes on resources for ministry, circulation of current research and practices, timely education and opportunities for leadership training.

Team:  Members of this VSST will include lay people and clergy, youth and parents, all of whom have a vital and lively faith and are committed to working together to make this area of ministry thrive.  They will all be active in providing a vibrant youth ministry in their home parish.  These will be the champions of youth ministry in the diocese. 

Initial Task Groups 

• Faith Formation in the Home – awareness of the primary role of the parents in forming faith
• Children’s Ministries – providing loving connections to the church family
• Younger Youth – (Grades 5-8) a safe place to explore personal faith in creative ways
• High School Ministry – equipping youth for life and ministry among their peers
• Young Adults – support to continue to develop faith and having a place in the church
• Campus Ministry – being the church as students across the region
• Training for Youth Ministry/Care 2 Screen – training our adults to be in effective ministry
• National Youth Ministries – participating in Ask & Imagine and PWRDF Initiatives
• Conference Style Youth Ministry – providing times and places for youth to gather in Christian community
• DYC
• TEC
• Communication -  youth to youth – youth to adults – adult to adult
                            family with parish – parishes within regions – regions and diocese