The church thrives when it has young people as part of its community - but can we find space for a new generation who see themselves and the world differently? In the 2023 Lecture Chloe Combi shares her work listening to the voices of Gen A, and Canon Chris Russell helps us reframe the urgent task of making room for young people in the church.

Chloe Combi is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast ‘You Don’t Know Me’ – where she listens to the voices of young people to learn more about what it’s like to be young in the UK. From ideas about masculinity and the influence of Andrew Tate, to cancel culture, gender and race: Chloe’s work give voice to young people’s feelings and ideas about growing up.

In response, Canon Chris Russell gives us a theological framework for how the church might see the place of young people in the church and challenges we have to face in the light of so few young people engaging with organised Christian faith. Drawing on Bonhoeffer, among others, Chris will help us frame the task ahead so that our practice draws not only on what young people are experiencing, but also the call of the church to seek and include the ‘other’ in society.