Members of Diocesan Synod have received the paper outlining the diocese’s plans to support parishes with their work with children, young people, families and schools.

Isaac McNish, Head of Ministry, highlighted the key points of the Growing Younger work during his presentation telling members that 2 -3 – 5 was the formula he wanted people to remember.

Isaac explained that ‘2’ relates to the two objectives of Growing Younger:

  1. For every child and young person in the Diocese of Truro to have access to a community that meets in Jesus’ name, to do Jesus’ work in which they can be at home and explore faith.
  2. We are committed to a tenfold increase in the number of young disciples in our churches over the next decade.

He told those present: “We have intentionally sought to strike a balance between being broad and focused. I hope you’ll see in those two objectives an invitation for the whole diocese to be involved, every church and every child.”

Isaac then went on to explain ‘3’ as the three levels available meaning every church would be invited to join, no matter its size:

  • For Many – Training, resourcing, and networking to support existing work and to grow new initiatives across the diocese.
  • For Some – Training and support for 50 lay leaders equipped to work with schools, families, and churches to build networks and confidence as we nurture journeys into faith.
  • For Few – Significant investment in six deanery-based projects, co-created with local leaders with a focus on key transition points in young people’s school journeys.

The ‘5’ relates to the five foundations of the work. To give a biblical framework, Isaac shared from Deuteronomy 6:

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

In summary, the five foundations offer a vision for culture change at every level in our diocese.

Isaac shared what he believes success will look like:

  • Many more of our churches with a vibrant intergenerational life.
  • New and renewed worshipping communities centred on prayer, scripture, and service.
  • Schools and families experiencing fresh encounters with faith.
  • Children and young people welcomed, discipled, and empowered as leaders.

Isaac encouraged members to embrace the two objectives, engage in the three levels and champion the five foundations and to encourage their parishes to do the same.

Speaking after synod, Isaac said: “I am excited to be part of Growing Younger because it is more than just a strategy – it’s a call to culture change. My hope is that, together, we will see children and young people not only welcomed but truly included and empowered across our diocese, as we build communities where faith is formed within relationships that span generations, homes, churches, and schools. I long for every young person to find a place where they belong, can explore faith in Christ, and become full participants in the life and mission of the church.”

Growing Younger is a stream of work which is supported by the Ministry team, the Education team and the Change and Renewal team.

Lee Moscato, Director of Education said: “During my time as headteacher, I was passionate about making links with our churches and saw the difference this made to those in and around my school.  It made a difference to me personally as I connected with members of the church community and I saw the difference it made to colleagues our pupils and their families.  The powerful partnerships we formed spoke into our worship, our pastoral care and being part of a community.  I am excited to be part of the plans and work to make this a lived reality for more schools across our diocese.”

Bishop Hugh Nelson said: “Wherever I go around the diocese I see churches that long to connect more fully with children and young people. Some are doing brilliant things already. Others would love to but are not sure how to start. Growing Younger is an invitation to every church that wants to join in the work of sharing the good news of Jesus with the children and young people of Cornwall. I hope many, many people and churches will join in and that, together, we will see a new generation discovering God’s love.”

Information and resources on Growing Younger will be available on the diocesan website in the coming weeks. You will be able to find it here.