2. “new priorities in the church to communicate the gospel to the millions of children who faced adult life without any awareness of a God who loved them…and…called for the church to take children seriously and to develop a radical new strategy for children’s work and evangelism.” “groundbreaking”

3. evangelism among children as an urgent priority

4. Signs of the times

6. 1980s: 480 a week lost 1990s: 980 a week lost Not due to population change 1 in 13 children has any contact with church community In the last 20 years the number of children has halved.

7. Percentage of churchgoers by age group

8. 1980s: 480 a week lost 1990s: 980 a week lost Not due to population change 1 in 13 children has any contact with church community In the last 20 years the number of children has halved. If present trends continue, in 12 years 3% of children will have contact with a church. George Carey: One generation from extinction.

9. Most children’s attitudes and basic beliefs are formed by the age of 8. Studies have also shown that most people who call themselves Christians trace their conversion experience, if they had one, before the age of 20. 70% of people in this country become Christians in their youth. A time of opportunity?

10. A time of gift? What is the measure of a Christian community? 13 All your children will have GOD for their teacher-- what a mentor for your children!

11. We are it.

12. “Would you please tell me which way I should go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”

13. To make the gospel of Jesus Christ available to as many children as possible using the best possible methods and the shortest possible time. To equip others to do the same. What would a child-focussed church look like?

14. BBC to film astounding children’s work. The BBC is to film the children’s work at a church in the north east which is bucking national trends. Emmanuel Church in Saltburn has an amazing number of children in its community. Children are reported to be enthusiastic in their faith and bringing their friends along. Not only that, but children are given the responsibility of discipling each other. “It all started 12 years ago,” said the new vicar, Hallam Wheatley. “We decided that we needed to address the fact that so few children were being touched by the good news. We reordered our life, and made our investment in the future.” Adults are delighted with the impact on the town, with many parents affected by their children’s faith. “It’s definitely a church where children are at the center,” said one parent. What is the secret of the church’s work with children? (continued on next page) 4 th January 2016