Boards and Agencies of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Board of Youth and Children's Ministry

The Board

The Board of Youth and Children's Ministry has been established by the General Assembly to encourage, support and develop an integrated Youth and Children's ministry throughout our denomination. This Board is responsible for the work undertaken in the past by the former Youth Board and the Church Education Committee. Sunday Schools, Bible Classes, Children's Church and all other aspects of children's ministry now come under the remit of the Board. This is a Mission and Ministry Board with an exciting and challenging remit to serve local congregations in the areas of Youth and Children's Ministry.

The Ministry Team

Board Convener: Rev. Jonathan Moxen
Director of Youth and Children's Ministry: Roz Stirling
Director of Programmes: Barbara McDade

Committee Conveners: Revs. John Flaherty (Ministry Opportunities Committee), Andrew Thompson (Ministry Events Committee), Christoph Ebbinghaus (Training Committee), David Brownlow (Resources Committee).

Board Administrative Staff: Lois Gibson, Claire Child, Kathy Brown, Liz Harrison, Janet Maxwell, Pamela Patton and Donna Thompson.

Development Officers: Graeme Thompson, Youth Development Officer; Ruth Mitchell, Children's Development Officer; Carol Johnston, Young Adult's Development.

Six committees have been established. These are:

1. Training - overseeing and advancing the training of those engaged in ministry with children and young people. Current work: Youth Ministry Courses; Children's Ministry Course; Building Blocks Conferences; Ministers' training days; YAC Road Trip; Summer Mission Training Day.

2. Research and Education - preparing and overseeing research into youth and children's ministry, disseminating information and educating the church in relevant issues impacting ministry.

3. Ministry Resources - overseeing the provision of resources for use by congregations both through creating new resources and by making people aware of what is available elsewhere. Current work: Youth workers days and retreats; YAC Project; PYP; Web site; Centres; Counter Culture Course.

4. Ministry Opportunities - overseeing and developing ministry opportunities for young people, children and families. Current work: Volunteer (VIP Scheme); Overseas teams; Summer outreach; Camps.

5. Ministry Events - overseeing appropriate events for children and young people. Current work: MAD youth weekend; Kid's Praise Party; Yuth Night; "The Word" young adults' conference.

The sixth committee - the Steering Committee - is different in function to the five already named. This small committee is made up of the 5 committee Conveners, the Board Convener, together with the Director and Director of Programmes, and acts for the Board between stated meetings. Subject to the strategy, policy and procedures agreed by the Board, and acting in good faith, the Steering Committee is empowered to make decisions as necessary and report to the Board.

The Board of Youth and Children's Ministry invites the whole church to prayerfully support and positively affirm all those, who at congregational and central level, seek to minister more effectively with children and young people. For more information on Youth and Children's Ministry www.pciyac.org