Introduction

I'm a Christian living in Kent and as the title suggests I'm a 20-something! I'm a primary school teacher and have a lot of time on my hands at this time of year so thought I'd start a blog with my musings...

I've just come back from LSE New Wine and being a New Wine first timer, I have to say I really enjoyed it despite not being a camping enthusiast. I think I had the smallest tent in the whole site but I was definitely warm most nights! I went with my local church but travelled on my own which was lonely and I have learnt that I'm not the greatest on my own - I think too much.

The seminars were fantastic though and I really enjoyed the worship and talks in the morning and evening. I went to Venue 2 for most of these, and the music was what I was most used to. I was much more able to 'let go' and not worry so much; more able to worship with happy abandonment rather than constantly wondering what people think. The talks were limited in many ways but were often what I believe the crowd, including me, needed at those times. The host of Venue 2 was St. Mary's church in London and many of the speakers and worship leaders came from that church. They are an 'up and coming' church which has planted many others and have helped many 20-30s feel at home in a church.

Being a part of that age group I think this has challenged me most over New Wine week - why are so many 20-30s leaving church or not bothering to enquire of it? What made me come back after a brief spell out of a church? Do our churches provide enough support and guidance for this age group? Trawling the internet about this topic I've come to the conclusion that many churches are unsure how to develop in this area. Having been to my church for three years now I'm very glad to suddenly see a rise in people in my age group and have been aware that I have been put with older Christians in groups before, as I'm married and quite sensible!

The church I left after university (St. Mike's, Aberystwyth, Wales) was massive and catered for all age groups, especially students. Finding a church similar to this was always going to be tough and I know all churches are different. Speaking to someone I've recently met at my current church, I was saddened to hear him say that there is nothing for 20 somethings in the area - and by implication the church.

So, as I've come back from New Wine with the feeling I should be doing more and feeling down because I'm not the type to create new things; I've decided this in particular needs to change. Any ideas are more than welcome!