11 Million Takeover Day - Friday 7th November 2008

[Yvonne Morris]

In November 2007 the first national 11 Million Takeover Day saw 10,000 children and young people 'take over' 500 businesses and organisations including schools, police forces, fire stations, newspapers, television stations, churches, local authorities and even parliament.

Takeover Day is an opportunity for businesses and organisations that provide services for children and young people to help them understand how decisions are made on their behalf and also to hear the voices of the young.

Last year in Oxford Diocese two of our Bishops were shadowed by young people, choirs were conducted by teenagers, young people planned and led services, worship bands had a higher profile, children led adults in 'sunday school' and even preached in services. I was privileged to be involved with a group of children in an Oxford church to help them plan and lead a service of morning prayer.
It was a delight to learn what they really thought of church, and what they thought adults thought of them and their faith and enable them to gently (but directly) challenge that.
They surprised the adults in many ways that day. Firstly, they didn't just choose 'kids' worship songs they liked a variety of music. Secondly they did send the adults out to specific 'age' groupings and led bible study on stories of children in the bible. Two teenagers spoke about their experiences of church and implored the adults to not underestimate the spirituality of the young and their capacity for Jesus. Finally, and most controversially, they banned coffee, in favour of hot chocolate, lemonade and doughnuts - 'real party food' suitable for the occassion.

As I write this, I've been working on our resources for churches to particiapte in 11 Million Takeover Day on a sunday near 7th November, and thinking about the Bishop's involvement again this year. I'm also booked for training Core Skills on the 8th November and am wondering about meaningfully including some young people in that day. But mostly, I'd like to see more churches humbling themselves to approach God led by children and young people. Those that took part last year were very blessed by the experience and I'd like to see that blessing extended.

One bit of advice though from comments from different churches last year - practise the children and young people speaking out loud in public. There is nothing more frustrating for the older members than not be able to hear properly what's being said - a simple case of coaching to 'slow down and speak up' should help that.

Good resources on participation are available on the Every Child Matters website (www.everychildmatters.gov.uk) especially 'Learning to Listen - Core Principles for the involvement of Hcildren and Young People' and also their handbook on 'Building a Culture of Participation', both available as a pdf downloads.

Also see www.11million.org.uk web or contact them at [e-mail]

Our stuff for churches is available on www.oxford.anglican.org/children under 'ministry with children'. (Although I haven't quite finished the 2008 pages it should be up real soon).

Yvonne Morris