Taking the Pulse Research Report is now available to download online.
This substantial piece of research work was launched to find out more about the challenges, issues, gaps and opportunities relating to ministry amongst children, youth and families.
In Spring 2024, Taking the Pulse captured the views and experiences of over 2000: church leaders; Christian parents and grandparents; youth, children’s and family paid and voluntary workers; chaplains; and children and young people themselves. We asked them to share their views on the health of ministry amongst children, youth and families in their respective churches and locations.
Our hope is that in doing this piece of research, we have captured some of the heart, some of stories and some of the hopes of key stakeholders in raising faith in the younger generations of the church and beyond. As we share these research findings with mission organisations, para-church groups, denominations and local churches and ministries, we want them to prompt reflection on how existing ministry can be enhanced, to spark new ways of thinking, and to foster more dialogue and greater collaborations.
Online Events
Why not join one or more of our online events to dig more deeply into the findings and consider the implications for you and your organization/ministry?
Each event will unpack a specific strand of the research, so feel free to register for any which interest you.
Friday 25 October, 9.30am - 10.30am - What are the resource needs for today’s Christian families and the churches who work with them? An online session for resource providers – unpacking some of the detail about what resource needs were identified by parents, grandparents and church leaders in our research. This relates to pages 30-33 and 22-25 of the Taking the Pulse report.
Tuesday 12 November, 9.30am - 10.30am - What can we learn about the needs of families in 2024? An online session for church leaders and those working with families, based on the findings of the Taking the Pulse research report, pages 18-25. We will present some of the findings and recommendations and share some practical ideas for both ‘quick wins’ and some longer-term ideas.
Wednesday 8 January, midday - 1pm - For regional and national leaders … A research-informed discussion to consider together how we can improve infrastructures to better serve ministry amongst under 18s and their families. Connecting with findings in pages 10-13 and 38-41 of the Taking the Pulse research report.
Thursday 23 January, midday - 1pm - Church leaders, line managers and those with oversight of youth and children’s ministry … join us for an online discussion to unpack the findings about what helps paid and voluntary workers to feel valued, and insights about provision of support for these workers. This will draw from insights in pages 26-29 and 34-37 in the Taking the Pulse research report.
Wednesday 29 January, 2pm - 3pm - Church leaders listening to Christian grandparents. This online session will unpack for church leaders the findings from grandparents in our research study, with some practical ideas of how to make a few ‘quick wins’ and develop more of an inclusive ethos for grandparents within your congregation. This session will present insights from pages 22-25 in the Taking the Pulse research report.