3Generate report By Joshua Williamson

A couple of young people from different districts and I got together one evening and had a discussion on the 3Generate report and over the next few pages were a couple of thing that were said.

Now that’s what I call Worship (Section v, page 65) “A review of worship in our churches should be undertaken” It should be made clear that the word review does not mean change. Review is to look at the good of what has been done so far, how to develop the good and how to cover the weaknesses. Yes, we do need a review of how we can constantly update and change and keep up with those who attend church. But we are a congregation of different backgrounds and personalities and it should be made to suit as many as possible. Review the aim to a possibly change, in light of a review, that should be taken with grace and understanding and Christian love If you have got a church with majority old people you need to cater worship to suit them. But needs to be balanced and also interest new members

Social media The point of suggesting to create a “teen Church social media account” is, as a concept idea, a good idea. However, in practice, this brings more issues and complications that makes the suggestion, currently, rather difficult to even enact. Having been a youth leader that did create teen Facebook group, the idea was good and lasted a short while, then caused issues and became a point of contention and pain. Facebook is a better platform to base a social media account, currently, due to the safeguards that can be put in place, yet even so, to have a “adult” over-seeing a group would require round the clock policing, a role that is not fair to ask any worker to add this to their sometimes busy schedule. I do not feel it should be a suggestion that all churches decide to follow this suggestion, more so, I feel that it should be down to each church to decide whether they could reasonably, once considering the implications, create such an account.

18 to 23 The church should do more teaching on etc. It’s not the job of the church to be a school so wording things like we should do classes on is old fashioned

Club culture : I believe those that are in the church, if you all are teaching you need to be teaching facts not opinions if you over drink you are going to get ill is a fact, if you over drink you are not going to go to he’ll. Methodism abstinence through belief etc., getting youth leaders of who may be elderly or never been to a club won't have a clue. They have looked into this report into one section. Should be talking about it but should be resources and materials available. No mentioning students who this is mainly effecting.

Transgender is a big issue in the church, there have been lots of groups formed someone felt it was only added in due to gay pride and what has happened in America. Only just popped up in report and discussed by 11 to 18 and 18 to 23 and it’s just been expanded. We should be natural talking about it any way. Issues that affects many and is recognised and accepted in society. Yes we need to address this but not through a working party but through people who have experienced it or people who have spent their careers working with this and I think this should be highlighted. It’s a delicate issue and it needs people who actually have experience or knowledge not just your average church steward

Radical Christian The wording of the title is very divisive, the word radical have got very serious connotation to it and is divisive, the issue I have that it sounds that to me reading the first line of agenda it makes me think of West Baptist church and that’s not it. I would like clarification on what they think is a radical Christian. There are better ways to be engaging in a Christian presence then spouting the bible. We are part of the world.

Contemporary view of sexuality If the education is not up to scratch this is more education system not Methodist church issue. Not responsible of the church, by all means talk about it but not teaching about it. The issue of power in sexual relationships I would like to say that is a narrow way to look at. Christian approaches is difficulty and it should be facts and allowing people to make their own decision. If you think you are right with God and you know in yourself you are in loving relationship then there should be no reason for someone to pass judgement on you.

Things that were not linked to one part of the agenda Talk about this in church Leadership perspective is what the church thinks of it Young people want to talk about it because they want to have it Opinions shouldn’t be enforced and beliefs, opinions and facts need to be clear We will guide you and be alongside you on your journey of faith but we won’t tell you the way you should go

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you would like to have a copy of this PowerPoint or my research notes on the youth forums already set up in the UK