Mark Powley, Associate Rector of St George's Leeds has written a great update on what they are doing to reach students in their church.
‘If God throws a party who gets to come?’ This is the question we put on 1,000 flyers launching our new evening services specifically aimed at calling a lost generation back to God. Here at St George’s Leeds, we felt we should gather in a way that our 18-30s feel they can invite friends to every week. So this September we have begun the ‘18:30 service’ in a format that relates to students, young adults, and anyone looking to connect with God in a fresh way.
What is an 18:30 like? It begins with two ideas we stole from the Burn venue at this year’s New Wine North – music from some decks, and then The Call. The Call is a 3-4 minute slot where someone who doesn’t normally preach gets the chance to call us to God and to worship. Already we’ve had three great people step up who’ve never spoken at St George’s, which is part of our desire to see people raised up and released as leaders. There’s some ingredients we want to keep constant: passionate worship, a testimony from someone who’s found (been found by) God, time to chat, accessible teaching and opportunity to pray. Some things are new to us, like tweeting during the talk so people can share and comment on what’s going on (check out @1830service). There’s plenty of times we’re feeling our way, but the journey so far feels right.
This Sunday, for the first time, we’re calling off ‘big church’ to meet in our Networks (mid-sized groups). All around Leeds there will be house parties, pub quizzes, walks, testimony evenings, compassionate DIY (!) and prayer nights. This is our vision: to release these groups and their leaders to encounter God and bless the city wherever they are. And through that we pray that God will draw people back to his kingdom banquet!
Follow the 18:30 service on twitter here. For more information on St George's Leeds and their journey visits their website stgeorgesleeds.org.uk
We would love to hear your stories of what is happening in your church and how you are connecting with the 18-30 generation. Please email Luke@fusion.uk.com with your stories and comment below on your thoughts on St George's journey.
