TRAINING OF YOUTH

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 6, 6 July 1935, Page 14

TRAINING OF YOUTH

ANGLICAN MOVEMENT

SPECIAL COUNCIL PROPOSED

A Youth Council was appointed by the Anglican Synod last year for the purpose of co-ordinating the youth work of the diocese of exploring new avenues of work, and generally of giving a lead in matters of woi:k among the youth of the Church, arid report annually to Synod. ,

Archdeacon J. R. Young 'was appointed chairman of the council, and members were elected by th'ei Synod, the Young Men's Bible Classi Union, the Girls' Bible Class Union, atnd the Diocesan Suritiay School Association.

Archdeacon Young brought: .up the report of the council at the \ Synod meeting last evening. (

Under the heading "Survey of. Existing Youth Work in the Diocese, and Opportunities as we See Them!" the report said that from the 40 avr'tilable returns out of 57 possible parochial' returns, the membership roll shbwed as follows: Sunday ■ schools, \boys 2739, girls 3659; Bible classes, boys; 622, girls 659. These figures indicated a tremendous leakage between the Sunday school and the Bible clastees. Psychologically the Bible-class age was the transition period of life, where guidance was most needed. Hero worship and loyalty were developed. Youth was becoming distrustful of a me.re material existence to bring satisfaction, and in England was pressing intip the Church in larger numbers than for the last twenty years.

Difficulties of youth work ■ were shown as lack of parental interest anc\ example, pressure of work and pleasure, understafflng of parishes, lack of trained leaders, church services which were not suited to their age and development, and lack of a diocesan policy.

Regarding what others were doing to meet a like situation, it was stated that the Presbyterians were spending £1700 per annum, and they had £ a director' and four other full-time paid workers amongst the youth. The Methodists budgeted for £2000 last year; they had a director and four other full-time workers. In the Christchurch diocese, the Synod set aside £400 for Sunday school work,

and further small special grants were made towards two full-time workers.

Arising from the i-eport, Archdeacon Young gave notice to move the following resolutions:—

1. That the following Diocesan, Youth Council be appointed for the ensuing year: Revs. N. F-. E. Robertshawe, E. McLevie, C. R. Kreeft, and C. V. Gerrard, Messrs. A. S. Kempthor^ie and R. Liggins, and the mover, together with two representatives elected by the Young Men's Bible Class Union, the Girls' Bible Class Union, land the Diocesan Sunday School .Association, one representative each of the Girls' Friendly Society, the Diocesan Anglican Girls' Club Society, the C.E.M.S., and the Mothers' Union.

2. (a) That this Synod authorises the Diocesan Youth Council to budget for an initial annual expenditure of £450 to cover the salaries, travelling, and office expenses of a youth department; (b) that this sum be raised by contributions from all parishes on'a scale proportionate to their present missionary quotas.

3. That.the Diocesan Youth Council be empowered to appoint (subject to the approval of the Bishop) a director of the Diocesan Youth Department, arid ■'to • make arrangements for office accommodation and assistance. i

The resolutions will be considered at a later sitting of the "Synod..