Sticky FaithAn evening of practical training, ideas and encouragement to help parents, church leaders and youth/children’s leaders working with 5s - 18s to build faith that lasts in children and young people.

Torquay

Wednesday May 10th 20177:30pm* - 9:45 pm* Refreshments served from 7:00pm

Sticky Faith events

are FREE!

Sticky Faith training partners in SW England:The Sticky Faith training events in SW England are a partnership between Scripture Union, SWYM and Urban Saints.

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

www.urbansaints.org/region/south-west

www.swym.org.uk

Scripture Union is a Registered Charity No. 213422, and a Limited Company Registered No. 39828.

Urban Saints is the operating name of The Crusaders’ Union, a Company Limited by Guarantee and registered in England & Wales, Company Number 07771037, Charity Number 1144923, and in Scotland, Charity Number SCO39313.

SWYM is Registered Charity No. 1086877. Registered in England and Wales as a Company Limited by Guarantee, No. 3963476.

What is Sticky Faith?The Christian church has a problem that we’ve known about for many years. The simple fact is that vast numbers of young people in our churches and Christian youth/children’s groups give up on faith in their teenage years and early adulthood, often having nothing further to do with the church. Survey after survey shows it to be a huge issue, but up to now we’ve seemed powerless to do much about it. The Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) in the USA has carried out the most comprehensive research yet into the problem of young people giving up on faith. As a result they have produced a raft of resources to help youth/children’s leaders, parents and others to be fully equipped to help young people stick at their faith so that it lasts through into adulthood - hence ‘Sticky Faith’!

What can I expect at the Sticky Faith training evenings?Our training evenings start by exploring together the main findings from the FYI research and putting it into a UK church context. We then provide a choice of workshop looking at practical ways of putting Sticky Faith into practice in various settings. We finish altogether with an opportunity for feedback, questions and some final thoughts. The training is suitable for anyone aged 16+ and is primarily aimed at those who work within the 5 to 18 age group, although others will find it very helpful too. Refreshments are provided free of charge during the evening and there will be a variety of books related to the training event on display - including the full range of Sticky Faith resources.

How much does it cost and how do I book in?The Sticky Faith training evenings in SW England are free of charge to all who come. However we do ask that everyone planning to attend books in by email so that we can provide sufficient refreshments and handouts. (You are welcome to book in others from your church/youth group at the same time as yourself but please check they will be attending before making the booking.)To book in, send an email to bspurling@urbansaints.org putting ‘Torquay Sticky Faith’ in the subject line and giving the following information:

Your name; A contact phone number; The name of your church + town; The number of places you are booking.

We will acknowledge all bookings, and a week or so before the event we will email you directions to the venue and parking information.

Date and VenueTORQUAY - Wednesday May 10th 2017St Matthias Church, Babbacombe Road, Torquay TQ1 1HW.

Programme7:00 pm Refreshments and Registration7:30 pm Welcome and notices7:35 pm SESSION 1 - Setting the Scene

A concise overview of the key findings from the FYI research and how these may be interpreted for the UK church context.

8:15 pm SESSION 2 - Developing Sticky Faith A choice of two practical sessions (one specifically for parents, and one for youth/children’s workers and church leaders) looking at how to develop sticky faith in young people in different contexts; church & community and home.

9:20 pm SESSION 3 - Refreshment Break and Final Thoughts There will be a chance to chat with others about what has struck you most from the evening, and time to reflect on the next steps you might take to put the Sticky Faith findings into practice in your own situation. We finish at about 9:45 pm.

The TrainersThe Trainers for this event are:

Brian Spurling Brian taught science in secondary schools for 12 years before heading up the national training department at Urban Saints (formerly Crusaders) for many years, writing and delivering training to thousands of youth and children’s leaders acros the UK. Based in Exeter, he is currently the South West Regional Director for Urban Saints. In his spare time he runs an outreach group for 8 - 18s and helps with the all-age worship and a youth band at his church.

Ruth FlanaganRuth Flanagan is an Associate Lecturer in Education at Exeter University and is also on the Board of Moorlands Bible College. She grew up in Ethiopia, worked in Russia and India, married an Irishman and now lives in Devon! She is married to Colin and they have two lovely children. She is an active member of her church, and loves singing - particularly jazz.