Young Christian adults are a high priority for Churches Together in England. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are often the leaders of today and bring great energy to revitalise the church.
CTE follows the World Council of Churches (WCC) definition of young adults as being aged 35 and under.
“Young people, 35 years old and below, have experienced exclusion from decision-making bodies…and intergenerational differences have generated mistrust. Young people – both in church and society – have been at the forefront of social, political, economic, and environmental issues while creating their own spaces of dialogue to confront such realities.”
WCC (2021)
In a generation that resists and can be suspicious of institutionalism, it is important that young adults seek and maintain relationships beyond their denomination to strengthen their Christian witness and their Christian identity. Ecumenism is a great way to do this.
CTE is intentionally engaging with a cohort of young ecumenists. We do this through three principal strands:
- Integrating young adults into the life and decision-making processes of CTE
- The Bill Snelson Fund for Young Ecumenists, a grant programme enabling ecumenical experiences abroad
- Relationship building through our Young Ecumenists Group and offering writing opportunities for CTE publications
Recent CTE news stories about young adults and ecumenism
Church planting across cultures
Snelson Fund awardee Eleanor Datson went to Berlin as part of an international church planting course whose participants came from across the traditions.
Snelson Fund awardee selected for Global Ecumenical Theological Institute
Samuel Williams will be attending the prestigious World Council of Churches GETI in Egypt in October 2025.
Latest Snelson Fund recipients
We’re delighted to introduce successful applicants from the Oecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of England.
Hearing young voices
During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Churches Together in the Merseyside Region gathered representatives from across the Christian traditions to listen to the voices of young people.
Apply now for The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund
If you’re 18 to 35 years old you can apply for financial support to have an ecumenical experience abroad. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2025.
“The richness of the body of Christ”
Ellmina Mckenzie shares how a last-minute course cancellation led to a transformative experience at Taizé.
Find out more about the Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund which opens for applications in September 2023.
Main photo credit: RC Diocese of East Anglia at World Youth Day 2023.