The CORe Criteria
All churches who participate in the CORe project try to provide a place where youth and young adults will feel comfortable. In order for this to happen a CORe church applies the following criteria or principles. CORe churches believe that the following criteria are essential to provide this comfortable yet challenging environment where youth and young adults will be able to discover and develop their faith.
Accept
The church’s main focus is to unconditionally accept young people and be intentional in assisting their faith development.
Vision
Intentionally includes young people in the development and ongoing evaluation of its aims and vision, and where all young people are aware of the vision.
Expect
A church that clearly communicates to their young people what they can expect and provides opportunities for young people to get involved in the mission of the church.
Contact
Committed to actively seeking and getting in contact with young people who are moving, or have moved, into your vicinity.
Commit
Is committed to staying in contact with anyone who for whatever reason has taken a break from active church fellowship.
Pray
Committed to systematically and sensitively pray for all of its young people.
Lead
A designated youth elder, someone with a feeling for young people, aware of their spiritual journey, appointed by and member of the church board.
Integrate
A church of refuge will seek to integrate young people in the leadership of the church.
Meet
Provides a physical meeting space for young people, with the opportunities to socialize.
Resource
Having a substantial dedicated youth budget with a focus on resources for meaningful youth ministry, with consultation of the young people.



