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Your Story is a unique, ground-breaking research project which has gathered stories from 439 young Australians (those who identify as Christian and those who don’t), exploring questions around who and what has, and is, shaping their faith from their childhood, early adolescence, and the present time.
This research gives us an unprecedented understanding not just of where that young person is currently, but what their faith journey has been like from their childhood to now - including all the twists and turns across the different eras of their life.
What is particularly distinctive about this research project is how we have identified 8 different faith narratives that lie behind young people’s present understanding and experience of God. Instead of taking a snapshot in time, we have been able to develop a time-lapse that pieces together how young people come to hold their current spirituality expression and what faith-influencers were present at key moments in their life course.
So, not just WHAT young people are believing, but HOW they got there: How did they come to hold the faith perspectives they have today, and what are the supportive and contrary elements in their faith journey.
The implications for how the church understands discipleship, and how we might best nurture faith journeys in constructive, enabling, and life-giving ways are significant. These findings may change the long-term trajectory of young people’s lives and the future of the church.
The 'Key Findings' report was launched at our Converge conferences in November 2024, and the Full Report (160 pages) is now available to download for free as well.
Thanks to our generous financial partners
Your Story key findings (PDF)
February 2024
An introduction to Your Story
If you're new to the Your Story research project, this is a great introduction to it. Recorded in February 2024, this is a conversation between the 2 lead researchers introducing the research project, and what they are discovering from the faith stories of the young people.
Amplify 2024
Graham Stanton
The Your Story research project heard from over 400 young people, and their stories have given the church a clear and honest insight into the different faith journeys many young people find themselves on.
In this video recorded for the Amplify Conference in March 2024, Dr Graham Stanton, one of the lead researchers shares stories from young people who have 'found' faith, as well as some who no longer call themselves Christians. What are some of the influencers, and influences that have shaped these young people, and what can we learn from their stories.
Amplify 2024
Rowan Lewis
Converge Oceania invited over 400 young people to tell us what their experience of the church has been like, and in what ways the church has helped them in their faith, as well as what hasn't been helpful.
Here's one of the lead researchers, Dr Rowan Lewis, sharing some of those factors in this video for the Amplify conference in March 2024. He explores approaches that young people have said supports them as they encounter questions, doubts and struggles in their faith
