Matt… just because you've been foiled in this particular bid to swan off across the pond there's no need to be upset. There'll be opportunities for that after you retire if you save responsibly or have a spouse who makes buckets of dosh.

This restriction will be so that the fruits of the experience will have a few decades to ripen be revealed in active ministry, and so that the event isn't a jolly for retirees… you know, cost-benefit stuff ("responsible stewardship"). And, as we know, people in their 40s and 50s are all going through mid-life crises so new ideas don't necessarily "take" in predictable ways.

Actually, 20 year-olds should maybe be exluded too — lack of focus issues, immaturity, relative inexperience, stuff like that — and 30-year-olds are are alreday getting a bit set in their ways, so they shouldn't be considered either. Anyway, they're at the stage when they have thec most energy to put into their charges and calls, and should not be distracted.

Males shouldn't apply because women are the future in ministry and women shouldn't apply because they have far to many other responsibilities.

As a lay person over 65, I suspect I am in a perfect position to uplift the lot. Send me a cheque and I'll see if I can squeeze a bit of Greenbelt in during my travels and I'll share an executive summary with everyone when I get back?

So Mike, waiting until 65 to begin life may be the best policy.

Love this -  The other question is given some data is this a small pool?

The other question is looking back at that age, I would not be able to go with family responsiblity - just think going to England for a couple of weeks and leaving my family behind?  Wow.  Would that fly?

It always has for me, Pan. That was about as close as I came to working for a living.

Welcome to Old Fartdom in the United Church of Canada. In this case, many conferences are making money available for the marginalized group to attend this event. Having seen slides of last year's event and heard a presentation from one of our church's attendees, I'll pass...

Well, obvious what the UCC things of age.  marginilized.  Imagine if some, name almost any, other group were excluded this way.  Justice and such apparently is flexible.

My thought is that there is only under 50 ministers under 40 years of age in the UCC- and with a budget of $50000- that's all they can offer.

They could have said people between 25 and three month and 27 and six months if they have to narrow it down more...

I rend to be contrarian. When I see what looks like a fad, I tend to go another way.  This is probably a result of being a teacher and of teaching and ministering in rural communities where the smart farmers tended to move away from the latest in-things in agricultural production (livestock or crops).

I see more value in how to sources such as the Centre for Progressive Renewal.

Our Presbytery SEcretary asked if I might be interested in accessing conference funding.  ANd I might be.  Except that he idea of me going to England and the rest f the family not going would not go over well AT ALL--and I prefer to remain part of the family

Gosh, this surprises me as I thought, wow, what a way to connect people who are new and starting out in their careers.  Yes, there are people who are new to ministry who are older; however, they in lots of cases that I know are second career folks.

We have a similair group for young professionals at our workplace.

There are perks for them.

It also recognizes that they are in the earlier part of their earning cycle with often less disposable income.

It truly is funny, as I read the ad and went "whoop" great idea.

Hey Matt81

Life doesn't end at 40. Free trips to England end at 40.

If you are interested in going apply! Seek other funding.

That's the majority of United Church ministers. I heard there are something like six under the age of 30.

BTW, if you want to connect with the real keeners and lively ministers under 40, go to the Festival of Homiletics (this year in Nashville). 10% of the 1600 attendees are Canadians and largely United Church. Be prepared to buy a round and listen to the excitement being generated.

For nominations purposes I am so far off the United Church's radar that I'm irrelevant. You see, I'm male, white, straight, married, ordained, over 50, and serve in Toronto Conference. Not that others who are not any of the above should not have the priviliges I receive; I just know that I can stick to my knitting.

Wait, wasn't it leaders? ie, not just ministers?  Maybe I am wrong.

At the time I was thinking of various types of leaders from youth to programming.

Did I misread that?

Hi folks, 

Thanks for the discussion on Destination Greenbelt.  The pilgrimage is meant to be a year-long process during which 50 ministry leaders who are under 40, as well as 50 leaders over 40, gather in cohort groups to discuss with and support each other in new ways of ministry and transformation, as well as their experiences together during the Greenbelt Festival in England. 

EDGE received funding to support ministry leaders who are young and already working in innovative ministries or missions throughout the church, and is not solely for ordained ministers - we've had applications from seminary students, lay leaders, candidates, and many other ministry leaders.  But we also recognize the importance of the roles leaders over 40 play in the church, and this is why conferences are sponsoring leaders in their areas to be part of this pilgrimage, because life certainly doesn't end at 40, and indeed those 'older' leaders bring much to the table and are just as important in exploring new ways of being church.  

We realize that it is not an opportunity which will be open for all to take advantage of - family responsibilities, financial restraints, and other commitments play a factor in everyone's lives.  But for those who are able, we're excited to see how 100 United Chuch leaders gathering together with 20,000 people, exploring and reinvigorating their faith expressions, will be able to come home with ideas and insights to share with the whole of the United Church.  

There will be opportunities to learn from those who took part in the pilgrimage, and follow in their experiences throughout the year they meet in their cohorts.  

Please feel free to email us with any questions or concerns at info@edge-ucc.ca

Thanks "edge" - makes sense to me.

It does the Elder model of mentoring

Or reminding the church that what appear to be new ways are the same "old" ways we tried twenty, thirty and forty years ago... or that some of the "old" ways still work...

DKS, now you sound like a teacher.  I am just starting to be in ministry long enough to recognize the return of old fads and approaches.

I wish that in both teaching and ministry, decision-makers would recognize that what matters most is passion coupled with humility and wisdom.  However, passion cannot be taught, and persistent passion is not easily caught by participating in exciting events.  I am glad the Edge process recognizes the need for ongoing fanning of the fires of creativity and renewal.  I am also glad for the focus on ensuring younger leaders are able to participate.

Meeting other people at events who share your own passion for "x", can give you hope when the immediate vicinity doesn't offer or hasn't allowed you to meet people with the same passion.

Once encountered that via social media and standard forms of communication that passion can continue to be fed across the miles with the fellow traveller or with the new acquaitance they introduced you to, ie "you should meet so & so, s/he is a kindred spirit" that lives just a short distance away.

And by "x", I don't mean scotch.  It could be theology, youth, grace, social justice, the church,  all of the above, something else....

Hi DKS – I am curious – which of the old ways still work?

Depends on the congregation and the community.

An example is  centering prayer and even more older spiritual discplines.

The basic form of the liturgy is still in play, all some do is add bells and lights - which may be good, if done well.  The last observer had a good article on paperless worship and it assumed a the ancient liturgical form.

In the past 40 yerars, what I have seen is: Task forces-on everything and anything, studies, research, surveys, more studies, reports, new directions, emergent ideas, variant forms of worship, new hymn books, new language, new types of ministry & ministers, building styles change, and what do most parishoners still want?  Good engaging sermons, baptisms, funerals and weddings. I must be getting cynical.

Hi Matt - I would beg to differ - well, maybe not - congreations might want those things but to all those folks that aren't attending church I would suggest that they no longer hold the value they once did. 

I would add the opportunity to be part of a caring, supportive community, and to feel part of an enterprise that makes a difference in the community.