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Articles by Phoebe Hill
Faith in Young People: challenges and opportunities for youth ministry in the Diocese of St Albans
In 2019, the Youthscape Centre for Research was commissioned by the Diocese of St Albans to carry out research to establish the scale and scope of youth work in the Diocese and to identify the challenges and opportunities facing churches. HOW WE DID THE RESEARCH The findings are drawn from a survey and focus groups conducted with clergy over the Spring and Summer of 2020. Surveys were completed by 101 people, representing 188 churches (46% of the Diocese).
Influencers: Peer evangelism amongst young people in the UK
Internet Explorer is not actively supported on this website, we suggest Google Chrome or Firefox. Research amongst UK Christian young people and youth leaders into the methods and perceived effectiveness of peer-to-peer evangelism and outreach amongst teenagers. This research is the result of a partnership between Alpha, Church Army, Church of England, Hope Together, Scripture Union, Youth for Christ and Youthscape.
Is your youth group ‘church’? Yes. And No.
Mark Scanlan is Tutor in Theology and Youth Ministry and Lead Undergraduate Tutor at St Mellitus College. He sat down with Director of Research Lucie Shuker to talk about his book ‘An Interweaving Ecclesiology’. LUCIE: “Hi Mark, thanks for dropping by to tell me about your book! I know it’s based on research you did for your PhD, after 20 years of experience in youth ministry.
Of Academic Hierarchies and Harassment
I am an interdisciplinary Media Studies scholar, trying to focus on writing a book that brings some historical context about the violent history of U.S. political and economic interventions in the global South to what are often parochial debates in the U.S. about social media and the end times.
‘Feels like home’: Young people’s experience of Relational Hubs
Relational Hubs are open-access community youth projects, with an after-school ‘drop-in’ at the centre. The Youthscape Centre for Research was commissioned to learn more about the work of three of these hubs, and the impact they have. The Relational Hub charity supports churches and Christian organisations to set up and run community youth projects, using a model developed from the team’s own experience of establishing a drop-in that was open every day after school.
The Story Vol 18
Youth ministry in a pandemic: the story of 2020. The challenges and opportunities brought about by Covid-19. Poster: 7 charts on the big picture for youth work.
Call to Participate - Translating God with Gen Z
The team at the Youthscape Centre for Research have launched a ground-breaking three-year research project exploring the world of Gen Z, and their engagement with Christianity. Read on to find out more and get involved… What is this research about? Every generation needs to discover how to contextualise the Christian story in the culture and lives of young people.
The ‘secular culture’ of youth work training
Internet Explorer is not actively supported on this website, we suggest Google Chrome or Firefox. Research from Goldsmiths University and Youthscape explores the place of religion, faith and spirituality on JNC-recognised youth work training courses across England. Overview of the research Youth workers in the UK are professionally qualified if they have a degree endorsed by the Joint Negotiating Committee for Youth and Community Work (JNC).
Tear it all down? Why youth ministry needs more than just a fresh paint job
Covid restrictions are easing. The return of in-person youth work offers a chance for refreshing your ministry, but what if it – and young people – need something more radical? I have recently moved. For the last six years, I’ve been living and ministering in Vienna, a bustling and international capital city. But that all changed when, at the end of 2020, I was called to be a pastor in the small town of Bad Ischl.
Five things to do now face-to-face youth work is back
We’ve hit a new stage in the post-lockdown roadmap. As the door opens to face-to-face time with young people, what should a youth leader’s priorities be? Whisper it quietly, but face-to-face youth work is back. After more than a year of disruption, constant change and the ground repeatedly falling from under out feet, we youth leaders now have real reason to believe that the return to the in-person work will now be a swift and permanent one.
One thing only: Why we love Line of Duty’s bent copper crusade
The BBC’s hit-show is thrilling the nation once again. But why are we so invested in this grim world of police corruption – does it offer hope for our dark times? Superintendent Ted Hastings is interested in one thing, and one thing only – and that’s nicking bent coppers. But you probably already knew that. Probably because you’re one of the record 9.6 million who tuned in to catch the premiere of Line of Duty’s sixth series – or maybe you’ve not watched it yet but you’re hearing the hype.
Renew Normal - 10 reflective exercises for youth workers
Back to normal? One year on from the first UK lockdown in March 2020, life still looks and feels unrecognisable in so many ways from life before Covid-19. Many of us are desperate to say goodbye to the turbulence and the change, and usher in whatever ‘new normal’ is to come our way.
The Story Vol 17
Internet Explorer is not actively supported on this website, we suggest Google Chrome or Firefox. Lessons from youth workers' pandemic diaries. New research on young people, climate care and the Church. Theological Reflection in youth ministry. Shuffle: Green Edition 42 challenges, 42 days. Shuffle: Green Edition invites young people to engage with the climate crisis and empowers them to make a difference.
Where did the year go? The tyranny of lockdown time
We live in strange days largely devoid of structure and novelty. In this temporal crisis, how can we reclaim the sense of time we used to know? It’s 8pm. I’m sitting on my sofa. I’m getting agitated as my husband is faffing about in the kitchen – albeit making me a drink. We are about to miss the start of the programme I’ve been waiting for all day. After some not so gentle encouragement, he arrives and plonks himself next to me. I turn on the TV.
Shuffle: A solution to socially distanced youth work?
Pandemic restrictions have made much of normal youth work impossible, but our Shuffle resources offer young people engaging challenges that can still be done safely. Why not try something new? For youth ministry, 2020 was a year of cancelled plans, changed ideas and forced innovation. Lockdowns and the loss of in-person gatherings have meant that youth leaders everywhere have had to get creative to continue engaging young people.
What Bonhoeffer teaches us about theological reflection in youth work
What is theological reflection, why does it matter? A story from the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer shows us how it can richly deepen ministry to young people. In 1999 a bunch of letters were discovered, written in 1928 by Dietrich Bonhoeffer to his youngest sister’s fiancé.
The F-word: In search of a Church where young people belong
Internet Explorer is not actively supported on this website, we suggest Google Chrome or Firefox. The Church should be a radical place of true belonging – unconditional love – for young people. Why isn’t it, and what’s the path to real inclusion? Over the next seven weeks, we're going to be diving deep into the core values behind Satellites– from a youth leader perspective.
Theological Reflection in Youth Ministry
Time to reflect? Youth work is always complex, and has always had to evolve and adapt. But over the course of the last year, we have had to evolve and adapt like never before. There’s no roadmap for how to do this well. There is no manual for doing good youth work in normal time let alone in the midst of a pandemic. Instead, we have to improvise, in ways that are faithful to our calling as youth workers. Theological reflection is a process that can help us do this.
Theological Reflection in Youth Ministry
This research report explores the role and potential of theological reflection in youth ministry. Dr Phoebe Hill dives into the findings and considers their implications. Youth work is always complex, and has always had to evolve and adapt. But over the course of the last year, we have had to evolve and adapt like never before. There’s no roadmap for how to do this well. There is no manual for doing good youth work in normal time let alone in the midst of a pandemic.
Grandparents matter: The power of intergenerational faith development for young people
We know parents can have a big influence on young people’s faith, but what about grandparents? Research suggests they have a profound – but often neglected – role to play. ‘I left my what?’ I once had a bulky package sent to my house as a young teenager. I didn’t get post very often, so I was excited. It turned out to be my own Bible (not very exciting). But there was a scrap of paper on the top in my Grandma’s handwriting and all it said was ‘You left your sword at my house’.
Singing a new song with young people: a bigger vision for worship
Young people understand that if you really love something or someone, you'll point everything in your life towards it. Do they see Christian 'worship' in the same way? Over the next seven weeks, we're going to be diving deep into the core values behind Satellites– from a youth leader perspective. If you want to explore them with young people, check out our offer on the book written for them; get seven copies and a 'book group' study guide for the price of six.
Video Download + Transcript | Youthscape/ St Mellitus Lecture 2021
With you in Spirit? What is the difference between physical and online work with young people? Practically? Theologically? Given by Revd Dr Sam Wells, the 2021 Youthscape/St Mellitus College Annual Lecture explored the dynamics of physical and online presence, something we've all had to wrestle with this past year. What is a theological understanding of being present with a young person online and how is it different to being physically present?
Bye 2020: Ten good youth work things from a terrible year
2020 has not been good. But there’s still things we’re thankful for and proud of, so here’s a Christmas letter/listicle all about it. #10 is our favourite… 1. Covid creativity The pandemic forced everyone to adapt to something no one expected. One of the inspiring things about it was seeing youth leaders and organisation innovating in exciting, creative ways to meet the sudden challenges.
Keeping the faith with young people in a secular, Covid-19 age (Andy & Phoebe Part 3)
Can you theologise coronavirus in an age of science? How can young people ‘perform’ faith in a pandemic? And where is hope after a seemingly hopeless year like this? Over the course of a few weeks, Youthscape’s Phoebe Hill and leading youth ministry thinker and theologian Andy Root sent each other a series of voice memos about theology and youth work in a pandemic.
7 festive flicks: A theology of Netflix Christmas movies
It’s time for a theological analysis of the Netflix Christmas movies. Do these guilty pleasures have anything to say about God and the meaning of life? Maybe... [Image credit: Netflix] Here at Youthscape, we are passionate about research. And research comes in all shapes and sizes. One particular *research passion* of mine is watching Netflix’s Christmas films (solely for research purposes, OF COURSE).
It’s time for a survey on sex and Christian youth work
Whether it’s Covid vaccines or sex & relationships, youth workers can easily find themselves confused, infuriated or even clueless as to what young people really think. Hearing that Margaret Keenan, 90, has become the first person in the world to receive the jab as part of a COVID vaccination programme made me (like Matt Hancock) shed a few tears.
12 Covid-friendly ways to celebrate Christmas with your youth group
“’Tis the season to be jolly”, but how do we cultivate Christmas cheer & hope after a year of continued restrictions, financial challenge, distanced relationships, and general disappointment? This Christmas will look different to any that have gone before. We may be frustrated that we cannot host our annual Christmas party with our youth group, or gather together to share food and presents as we would like.
Time for tech? A theology of online youth work with Andy Root (Part 2)
Technology has brought both support and frustration in facing Covid-19 – how is it shaping us? Is the Church too easily infatuated with tech, innovation, and a desire to ‘keep up’? Over the course of a few weeks, Youthscape’s Phoebe Hill and leading youth ministry thinker and theologian Andy Root sent each other a series of voice memos about theology and youth work in a pandemic. Here’s Part Two! Check out Part One of their conversation here.
The Ruthless Elimination of Rest: Why Sabbath is more important now than ever
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby faced criticism from some this week for planning a sabbatical. Have we forgotten the radical challenge of rest – or do we just not want to change? Just before Coronavirus changed everything, a new book by an American pastor was taking the church by storm. Everyone was talking about it; the striking cover design was suddenly everywhere; leaders were rushing to declare it a modern classic.
The Story Vol 16
Internet Explorer is not actively supported on this website, we suggest Google Chrome or Firefox. PUBLISHED November 2020 Youth leader burnout. A theology of youth work in a pandemic. The aspiration gap. An introduction to systemic racism. We are Satellites This book is the perfect introduction for young people wanting to follow Jesus, a vision for vibrant discipleship in an ‘all about me’ culture. Now What?
Religious Education is a dying subject - but a new approach could save it
RE is in decline in UK schools, but a recent Theos report explores a fresh lens that could save it. Dave Walford dives in and considers the implications for schools workers. “You’re wrong.” The year was 2010. I was sat in a GCSE lesson, studying some abstract poetry, when the topic of communion came up as one of the themes of a particular stanza. My teacher asked if anyone in the room was a Christian and wanted to explain what communion was to the rest of the class.
Faces, spaces, and Zoom fatigue: A theology of online youth work with Andy Root
How is Covid-19 reshaping our relationships and self-perceptions? Is digital technology overrated? What does it all mean for a theology of youth ministry? Over the course of a few weeks, Youthscape’s Phoebe Hill and leading youth ministry thinker and theologian Andy Root sent each other a series of voice memos about theology and youth work in a pandemic. Here’s the first excerpt from their conversation.
Fruit that won't last: 5 keys to growing short-term faith in young people
Youth ministry shouldn’t be so hard. Forget deep discipleship, Martin Saunders gives us 5 steps to an easier, more rewarding life. Long-term discipleship strategies are great, but let’s be honest, they often don’t make you – the oft-maligned youth leader – look very good. When you’re focussed on a long-term vision, you can often become discouraged as the pews fail to fill up, and as members of the church begin to ask question about exactly what you do with your week.
Together Apart: God at the Centre (All sessions)
What's at the centre of your orbit? Together Apart 2: God at the Centre is the second series of a resource first released during lockdown earlier in 2020 – you can find series one here. This edition is even bigger than the first with 90 minutes of content for you to delve into all about seven key values that we believe are at the heart of everyday discipleship. They’re also the values that make up the foundation of the Satellites youth event coming in summer 2021.
Lessons from lockdown: COVID-19’s impact on young people’s wellbeing
How has the COVID-19 lockdown affected young people’s mental health and wellbeing? Lucie Shuker explores the headlines from recent research. A large number of surveys have been conducted since lockdown that explore young people’s experience of the pandemic and focus particularly on their wellbeing. This short article highlights some of the main findings so far, though these should be interpreted cautiously given how quickly conditions have and are changing.
God loves me, but Jesus might not be real: Insights from YFC’s latest research
Internet Explorer is not actively supported on this website, we suggest Google Chrome or Firefox. Youth for Christ’s latest research explores the faith & spirituality of 1001 11-18-year-olds across the UK. Lucie Shuker breaks down some of its findings. Youth for Christ have released the final report in their research trilogy, which explores faith and spirituality in the lives of 1001 11-18-year-olds across the UK.
Fake heroes and false religion in Amazon’s The Boys
The Boys is a dark, sharp superhero satire with plenty to say about faith, religious hypocrisy, and finding hope in an unjust world. Amazon Prime’s The Boys is currently streaming its second season. It’s a dark, bloody, cynical show that relishes the chance to subvert all that you know about superheroes. It’s also interested in religion, false gods and whether hope can be sustained in the face of injustice.
Satellites postcards
A brand-new youth event is coming summer 2021 Tickets are now on sale for the first ever Satellites and we don’t want you or your young people to miss it. But we’re aware that it can be hard in the present circumstances to communicate news about the future to your group, and to plan ahead. To give you a hand, we’ve designed four smart new postcards which will help you to invite your young people to “Join us at Satellites”.
Together Apart 2: God at the Centre
Diving into discipleship Together Apart 2: God at the Centreis the second series of a resource first released during lockdown earlier in 2020 – you can find series one here. This edition is even bigger than the first with 90 minutes of content for you to delve into all about seven key values that we believe are at the heart of everyday discipleship. They’re also the values that make up the foundation of the Satellites youth event coming in summer 2021.
Anxious & overwhelmed? 3 ways faith can sustain you amidst pandemic chaos
Lucie Shuker draws on rich theological resources as she explores the place of God & faith in a time of overwhelming chaos, sadness and stress. These are anxious times. Over the last few days I have found myself torn between feeling hugely connected to and concerned about my local community and feeling overwhelmed by the amount of noise on social media about people’s needs and the many ideas of what we could, or should, all be doing in this time.
Fostering spiritual curiosity in young people: revisiting No Questions Asked research
Our 2017 report No Questions Asked found a lack of spiritual curiosity in young people. Head of Theology Phoebe Hill revisits the research to ask how its insights should shape youth work today. Our intention, when beginning our No Questions Asked research, was to find out the questions that young people today are asking about faith and religion. What we discovered was much more interesting. Yes, the young people – when provoked – had some questions.
We do God
Our latest research report: survey and case study data highlight the way that Christian practice can help young people encounter God and develop faith of their own. In our culture, personal experience is the gateway to truth. So it’s no surprise we are seeing renewed interest in spiritual practice. This research draws on existing literature, a survey of 235 youth workers and 13 case studies, to explore the key role of Christian practice in contemporary youth ministry.
Losing Heart
Internet Explorer is not actively supported on this website, we suggest Google Chrome or Firefox. Our survey of 2054 churches revealed a lack of confidence and resources when it comes to providing youth work compared to children’s work. In the Autumn of 2015, we commissioned Christian Research to survey 2054 churches across England, Scotland and Wales (a similar study was already underway in Northern Ireland).
New ways to see: how different theological perspectives could change the way we do things
At times it can seem as though youth ministry is in a crumbling temple. It’s as if we’re in some adventure movie, attempting to hold open the last remaining way out. We expend energy, time and resources, hoping that our efforts will help our young people come to know a lifelong faith in Christ, only to witness few discover the faith we had hoped, and many lose it all together. There are numerous studies on why this is, and visions of how youth ministry can innovate a new way.
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