A map, a Bettys goody-bag and a blank sheet of paper were the three unusual items presented to newly appointed 20s to 40s minister, the Revd David Johnson, during his recent licensing service at All Saints, Northallerton.
David is the latest minister to be appointed by the Diocese of York to develop new worshipping communities focusing on those in the 20s to 40s age group.
Over the next 12 months it is planned that 14 ordained or lay specialist ministers will be commissioned in 13 locations as part of a campaign better to reach those in their 20s, 30s and 40s across the whole diocese.
The new initiative is being funded by a national strategic development grant from the Church Commissioners, and will include many other opportunities for many local churches to receive support for their own ventures to engage this age group.
David and his family were welcomed to Northallerton at a licensing service during which it is traditional for a new priest to be presented with gifts symbolising their future ministry. However, rather than traditional gifts such as a Bible and a prayer book, the symbols brought forward by members of the church were more unorthodox.
“Traditionally the items would be a prayer book and a Bible but for my service we had a map of the area, a goody-bag from Bettys , which was fantastic, and then a blank piece of paper. That represents where we are with the role because we are starting with a blank piece of paper and going wherever God takes us.”
In the first few weeks of his new job, Dave says he is listening to God to discover what will be on the blank piece of paper. “I am going around, meeting the community, meeting people who live and work in the area and speaking to that age range to see how we can best relate to them.”
So far, says David, the reaction has been mixed. “There’s a lack of understanding about what the role is because this is so new for the church. But to have somebody reaching out to that age group has been welcomed because there has been such a gap in the church in that age range.
“Many of that age range have no experience of God or church and what they do know of it is historic or from the media which isn’t always the best portrayer of what faith is about. My hope is that we will draw people to God and that they might find Jesus as a living reality for themselves.”
David, who is 51, is married to Liz and the couple have two children, Alex and Rosie. Before coming to Northallerton he was a curate in South Milford and Monk Fryston in the south of the diocese.
“I was first called to the priesthood about 25 years ago,” he says. “It was a calling I ignored until I looked into applying for ordination about eight years ago.”
Now, says David, he really appreciates the support of those who can pray for him. “It’s praying that God will be at the centre of everything and that myself and those on the team will really listen to who He is and what He us saying and work alongside Him.”
To find out more, visit the Multiply website at www.multiplyreach.org.