Oak Hill College has announced a new national initiative in partnership with the Church of England to equip incumbent ministers to develop thriving children’s and youth ministry in their parishes.

The Incumbents’ Leadership Programme will support clergy in leading sustainable, biblically-grounded ministry with children, young people, and families, helping churches build healthier intergenerational communities and respond to the Church of England’s vision for every child and young person to encounter a flourishing Christian community.

Based at Oak Hill, the programme forms part of a wider network of nationally funded leadership initiatives designed to help local churches “grow younger” by strengthening leadership, culture, and mission among younger generations.

Through a combination of residential learning, mentoring, and online collaboration, participants will be supported to reflect on their own leadership, develop a theology and practice of intergenerational ministry, and create context-specific plans for cultivating children’s and youth ministry within their parishes.

The programme will include three residential gatherings alongside coaching and peer learning, enabling incumbent ministers to explore the relationship between personal character, parish context, and the church’s mission to reach younger generations.

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“It is essential for the current and future health of our churches that young people are welcomed and feel a sense of belonging. I am very excited that Oak Hill can support parish churches across England to grow younger and recognise the gift that children and young people bring to their mission and ministry. We have an exciting programme but more importantly, a programme which we believe will help churches to reflect, understand, and grow in God’s Kingdom purposes.”

Dr Robin Barfield One of the course leaders, and lecturer in Children’s, Youth and Families ministry
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“Investing in pastoral leaders is critical to the health of the church. While Oak Hill has historically focused on initial training and formation, our passion to see the church flourish has led us to expand how we serve existing leaders. We recognize the growing desire across the Church of England to connect more effectively with children, young people, and families. 

This fully-funded programme is designed to support incumbents as they lead that change in ways that are biblically rooted, contextually wise, and pastorally healthy. We care deeply about theological formation, and we are delighted to help leaders cultivate ministries that will help our churches grow younger in the years ahead."

Revd Dr James Robson Principal

Over the next month, Church of England incumbents whose churches currently have between 7 and 24 children and young people are invited to express interest by speaking with their bishop and asking to be nominated for the programme.