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
Next round of Snelson Fund grants awarded
The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund is will enable recipients to visit Africa and Europe with this ’round’ of grants.
URC Youth seek ‘unity for the common good’
United Reformed Church Communications Officer Laurence Wareing reports from the 2026 gathering of the church’s annual Youth Assembly.
Bringing the Bible to life
Dolly Bamigbade, a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, received a grant from The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund to go on a pilgrimage to the seven churches in the book of Revelation.
Young adults Taizé retreat – July 2026
The Council of Lutheran Churches invites Christians from CTE’s other Member Churches to book places on their ecumenical retreat this summer.
Encountering God
University student Jemima Bailey travelled from West Yorkshire to the ecumenical community of Taizé in Southern France supported by a grant from The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund.
Encouraging ecumenical explorers
Christians aged 18 to 35 years old from our national Member Churches are invited to apply for a grant from The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund. Applications close on 31 March 2026.
Find out more about the Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund which opens for applications again in the Autumn.
Main photo credit: RC Diocese of East Anglia at World Youth Day 2023.