Boards and Committees of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Board of Youth and Children's Ministry

The Board

The Board of Youth and Children's Ministry has been established by the General Assembly to encourage, support and develop an integrated Youth and Children's ministry throughout our denomination. This Board is responsible for the work undertaken in the past by the former Youth Board and the Church Education Committee. Sunday Schools, Bible Classes, Children's Church and all other aspects of children's ministry now come under the remit of the Board. This is a Mission and Ministry Board with an exciting and challenging remit to serve local congregations in the areas of Youth and Children's Ministry.

The Ministry Team

Board Convener: Rev. Jonathan Moxen
Director of Youth and Children's Ministry: Roz Stirling
Director of Programmes: Barbara McDade

Committee Conveners: Revs. John Flaherty (Ministry Opportunities Committee), Andrew Thompson (Ministry Events Committee), Craig Mawhinney (Training Committee), Graeme Kennedy (Resources Committee) and Steve Stockman (Research and Education Committee).

Board Administrative Staff: Lois McIlrath, Claire Child, Kathy Brown, Liz Harrison, Janet Maxwell, Pamela Patton and Donna Thompson.

Development Officers: Graeme Thompson is the Youth Development Officer and Ruth Mitchell is the Children's Development Officer. Jill Condell is the Youth and Support Worker for Monaghan.

Volunteers' Co-Ordinator: Helen Bruce looks after the SWIM Team and Volunteers.
Preparing Youth to be Peace Makers (PYP Officer): Deborah Erwin.

Six committees have been established. These are:

1. Training - overseeing and advancing the training of those engaged in ministry with children and young people. Current work: Youth Ministry Courses; Children's Ministry Courses; National Youth Leaders Convention; Building Blocks Conferences; Ministers' training days, and the Youth Ministry Summer School.

2. Research and Education - preparing and overseeing research into youth and children's ministry, disseminating information and educating the church in relevant issues impacting ministry. Current work: A major survey is underway regarding children's ministry in our denomination.

3. Ministry Resources - overseeing the provision of resources for use by congregations both through creating new resources and by making people aware of what is available elsewhere. Current work: Youth workers days and retreats; Youth workers days and retreats; YAC Project; PYP; Web site; Centres.

4. Ministry Opportunities - overseeing and developing ministry opportunities for young people, children and families. Current work: Year Team; Volunteers; home and overseas; Overseas teams; Summer outreach; Camps.

5. Ministry Events - overseeing appropriate events for children and young people. Current work: A major survey is underway regarding children's ministry in our denomination.

The sixth committee - the Steering Committee - is different in function to the five already named. This small committee is made up of the 5 committee Conveners, the Board Convener, together with the Director and Deputy Director, and acts for the Board between stated meetings. Subject to the strategy, policy and procedures agreed by the Board, and acting in good faith, the Steering Committee is empowered to make decisions as necessary and report to the Board. This committee is able to draw in members of the Board and other specialists to form a Strategy Committee which the Board may use as a think tank to aid its own deliberation, or to prepare reports on how the strategy is working.

The Board of Youth and Children's Ministry invites the whole church to prayerfully support and positively affirm all those, who at congregational and central level, seek to minister more effectively with children and young people. For more information on Youth and Children's Ministry www.pciyac.org