Join a thousand others in Birmingham this November for the National Youth Ministry Weekend 2023
Engaging for volunteers, stretching for experienced practitioners.
For everyone concerned about young people: volunteers, paid workers & church leaders.
Inspiring worship and bible teaching, ideas and FREE resources.
2023 Theme
Into God knows what
The rapid and intense rise of Artificial Intelligence has brought what we imagined to be the distant future into sudden focus. We are suddenly in a world where computers could legitimately begin to replace humans in ways we never imagined possible. At the same time, deepfake technology and other cloning techniques are adding a sinister edge to what appears to be an exciting leap forward.
Meanwhile, young people are growing up in a world which feels increasingly insecure, with looming existential threat from every angle. The climate crisis shows no sign of abating; international wars are closer and more threatening than ever before;
natural disasters still cause devastation and institutions seem to be failing - politicians, bankers, police... and perhaps even the church. The future seems to be a scary place.
So what does the Christian faith have to say into this context of fear and uncertainty? How can the gospel bring hope and security into the lives of young people who feel very little of either - and to whom Jesus is now a completely alien concept? And can these leaps in technology, which threaten to bring as much harm as good to our world, be used to further the expansion of God’s Kingdom at the most unlikely time?
What we're tackling
(In 9 bite-sized chunks)
Could AI help to disciple young people?
Could Artificial Intelligence lead a Bible study with young people – and even if so, is that a good thing?
Is it possible for the Holy Spirit to work through a machine? And could AI be the Biblically-literate volunteer you’ve always dreamed of?
Where do you find hope in a crisis-struck world?
Young people are scared - about the future of the planet, about war and disease, about political and economic failure. How do you help them face the world’s problems but still have hope in a bright future?
If AI can fake anything… is truth completely relative?
AI has made the world seem more unreliable now that any picture, video or voice can be faked. How will young people explore Christian truth when nothing seems real?
Could ChatGPT halve your planning time and transform your youth ministry?
Don’t be afraid: learning how to use AI will radically shrink your prep time; it’s the admin assistant you’ve been waiting for.
What resources really engage and disciple young people in 2023 and beyond?
What actually works? What can you do to draw young people into the Bible and help them develop a faith strong enough to flourish in today’s changing world?
Safeguarding and ministry in the aftermath of the Soul Survivor allegations
It’s time to ask some tough questions if we’re going to emerge from the shock of recent claims about various churches and organisations. What needs to change and how do we change it?
No one to help? How to find and equip volunteers to do youth work in the post-Covid volunteering slump
How do you do youth work if there’s no one willing to help? Radical ideas for engaging new volunteers and finding help in unexpected places.
Could augmented reality and new tech help fix the challenges we face?
Small numbers, erratic attendance, wide age ranges... how can new tech help you fix some of the challenges of doing church youth work?
What radical new models of youth ministry does the future demand?
The world is changing again – but most youth work still looks like it did in the 1990s. Is it time to find a completely new way to capture the attention of young people, build community with them, and help them find a deeper faith?
Show me what to expect
What's happening & when
Fri 24 Nov
SEMINARS + DISCUSSIONS – Choose from 12 options
MAIN SESSION 1 – Worship, celebration, inspiration
AFTER HOURS – Relax, have fun, meet new people
Sat 25 Nov
MAIN SESSION 2 – Worship, celebration, inspiration
INTERACTIVE KEYNOTE - Learn, share, debate and discuss
SEMINARS + WORKSHOPS - Choose from 12 options
MAIN SESSION 3 - Worship, celebration, inspiration
AFTER HOURS - Relax, have fun, meet new people
Sun 26 Nov
SEMINARS + WORKSHOPS - Choose from 8 options
MAIN SESSION 4 - Worship, celebration, inspiration
There’s More…
Youth work in rural areas • Schools work and chaplaincy • Working in the community and on the streets • A church leader’s role in youth ministry • Starting from scratch or very few – how to grow • Which are the best youth resources available in the UK today?
Next steps
Got a team of volunteers? Plan to come together. Or sign up for our meet and greet reception if you want to get to know others when you arrive.
Book tickets whilst the discount is valid.
Arrange accommodation with friends, AirBNB or one of the many cheap hotels within walking distance.
Subscribe to the Youthscape podcast to get thinking about our theme and how to get the most from the programme.
Meet the speakers
Dr Patrick Dixon
Is one of the world’s leading speakers on the future and how it will impact the church as well as advising many FTSE100 companies.
Matt Summerfield
Is a pastor of Zeo Church, experienced youth worker, and Chair of the Youthscape Board of Trustees.
Rachel Gardner
Is an author, youth worker and Head of Partnerships at Youthscape alongside planting a youth congregation in Blackburn.
Dr Amy Orr-Ewing
Is an international author, speaker and theologian who addresses the deep questions of our day with meaningful answers found in the Christian Faith.
Dr Krish Kandiah
is the founder of The Sanctuary Foundation, working to support refugees in the UK.
Location & Venue
The Eastside Rooms is a fantastic venue for NYMW 2023: close to Birmingham City Centre and with plenty of choices of budget hotels and Airbnb's nearby. There's also easy access to national and international travel links
Eastside Rooms
Woodcock Street
Birmingham
B7 4BL
