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By Bishop Joey Royal

A Diocese is more than an organization. It is, in a very real sense, an organism, made up of parts that work together interdependently. In the scriptures, the Church is called (among other things) the body of Christ and the bride of Christ. It is, in other words, a living thing, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and empowered for holiness and mission, vitally connected with Christ who is both the head of the body and the groom indissolubly united to the Church, which is his body.

We see this interconnectedness in all sorts of ways, but one of the ways I want to highlight here is the way children and youth ministry can have far-reaching impacts across the Church. When we invest in the Church’s young people, we are not simply teaching them about the Christian faith (as important as that is), nor are we simply keeping them interested and engaged in the life of the Church (also an important task). Children and youth ministry is about training the next generation of people to lead – to lead the Church and to lead their communities in the way of Christ.

Being a Christian is not a passive activity. Being part of the Church is not a spectator’s sport, where we (the congregation) watch the “professionals” do religious things. We are – together! – the body of Christ in the world, in the Arctic, in each community and household. We are disciples, students of Jesus Christ. But disciples are not born, nor do they simply materialize completely mature out of the waters of baptism. Disciples need to be made, and the way they are made is through other disciples coming alongside, working with, teaching, mentoring, and showing the way. Although I am a bishop, I am first and foremost a disciple, and only that because other disciples have worked with me, encouraged me and spurred me on all through my life.

That’s what we’re about – discipling people, especially young people. And what happens when young people are being taught and encouraged? We have healthier communities and families, and more faithful leadership at all levels of society – not only in the Church but also in the government and the private sector. Take Arthur Turner Training School, for example. If you asked graduates of ATTS why they came to ATTS in the first place, and how they discerned a call to ordained ministry, most would tell you that other Christians encouraged them and nurtured their gifts. In a very real way, local discipleship initiatives lead to increased vocations to ordained ministry. Additionally, those pursuing ordained ministry are also more mature in their faith when they’ve been taught and mentored locally.

So, I’d like to leave you all with a challenge, whoever and wherever you are: Look for young people to encourage and support. If they’re in the Church, great! If they’re not, then go where they are. Or ask God to bring a young person into your life, even in a small way, so you can help to nurture their life of discipleship. God answers prayers like these!

And if you are a young person then look for ways that you can serve in the Church and community. You can be an example to your elders, and can be a source of encouragement and hope for them. May the Lord raise up for us a generation who will lead with conviction, creativity, and courage!

Bishop Joey Royal is a Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of the Arctic and Principal of Arthur Turner Training School in Iqaluit.