Sorted! - youth congregation wins special church status

One of Church Army’s Centres of Mission, Sorted, has become only the third Bishop’s Mission Order in the country.

Sorted, a fresh expression of church run by and for young people in North Bradford, has just received a special Bishop's Mission Order, which gives it official church status even though it doesn't have a geographical parish.

Sorted was started by Captain Andy Milne, a Church Army youth evangelist and keen skateboarder, who gets to know young people through some of the schools and housing estates in North Bradford.

Mark Russell, Church Army’s CEO, says: "Sorted is an amazing and exciting initiative which effectively reaches and disciples young people who are way beyond the reach of traditional church.

"Andy has pioneered a visionary youth fresh expression of church, and Church Army is thrilled the Sorted Centre of Mission has now been granted a Bishop’s Mission Order."

Sorted encounters around 130 young people each week via the three groups it has established.

Andy says, “Fewer people than ever before have any meaningful links with the church and its culture so we're meeting people where they are at, rather than expecting them to come to church. Sorted helps break down some barriers and the young people can see that we are really concerned about them and the issues they face. We're building a Christian community and family for those who have difficult families at home.”

The Bishop's Mission Order means that Sorted's future is secure for at least the next five years. They will be given oversight by the Archdeacon of Bradford and they will have an electoral roll of members and a PCC.

Bishop David says: "I hope my successor has as much fun as I've had baptising their new members by immersion!"

In May, the Bishop baptised six teenagers from Sorted in the River Wharfe at Ilkley - with an audience of hundreds of sunbathers. The six were then joined by five others to be confirmed and receive communion by the side of the river.