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Why the focus on 18 to 30s?

Let’s face it; St Mary’s has a serious issue. The proportion of young adults in our church family is small. This is worrying when we consider the relatively high number of young people moving out of our youth programme and the fact that St Mary’s attracts couples preparing for marriage or bringing their children for baptism. In a large church it is easy for 20-somethings to get lost and not find people their age. They clearly do not feel they have a role to play within our family at St Mary’s. They move on to other churches or stop going to church completely.

It is hoped by raising the profile of our ministry to 18 to 30s we can encourage and develop a sense of belonging to St Mary’s. We must enable individuals to deepen their relationship with God and discover how He wants them to use their gifts. As a church, we need to keep striving for growth. We live in a parish with all ages. We need a church with all ages to serve them.

What’s in a name?

There was some concern with the original name ‘18-to-30something programme’ because it was too age-specific. So the name 24:7 has been adopted as it can be ambiguous for those who need it to be and yet have meaning at the same time. As 24:7 becomes established it will (like The Net, Inters, Mustard Seed etc.) take on a life of its own.

So what is so special about 24:7?

24:7 is not a club that expects people to commit to every event. Instead, 24:7 is a programme of events that are organised by individuals or small groups and coordinated centrally. These events will take a huge variety of forms: movie nights, countryside walks, small gatherings for coffee, one-to-one bible studies, prayer triplets, day trips, book club, sporting events…

The nature of 18 to 30s ministry means that it will inevitably be a people not programmes approach. Events will be designed by and for the individuals within the ministry who have particular gifts. For example, a group who like sport might organise an event and advertise it centrally through 24:7 so that others interested will know and take part. So the main reason for coordinating these events centrally is so that those who are new or have few contacts within the church family are not overlooked.

Into God’s Hands…

Please pray for - the new identity (that it would be meaningful and help raise the profile of this ministry), the first few events (for new friendships and a shared vision for gospel work) and pray that the activities organised under the 24:7 banner may enable many more people to develop a true sense of belonging to the family of God at St Mary's.
[Ephesians 3:20!]

For more information contact Martin Loy on 0161 428 5032 or email on 24.7@cheadle.org

Martin Loy

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