Young Adult - Making connections with young adults in the Church …
Let
no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech
and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. - 1 Timothy 4:12
The Antioch Project of the Board of World Mission
The Antioch Project is a ministry of the Board of World Mission, that focuses on young adults using their gifts to answer their calls to mission. Both long term and short term opportunities are developed in coordination with other Moravian provinces. For more information and ways to get involved in this ministry, please visit the Antioch Project site: www.moravianantioch.org.
Ideas For Making Connections With Young Adults In The Church
The following suggestions are just that - suggestions, as young adults are a very diverse group of people. Young adults (who are 18-30ish years in age) can be in school, single, married, having children, building a career, living at home with their parents, living in an apartment, buying a house. Some words that might describe this group are: mobile, multi-task oriented, explorers, action-oriented, casual, technologically literate, high expectations and high maintenance, relational.
Treat them as adults. If they grew up at your church, make sure you treat them now as adults and not the children/youth that they were a few short years ago.
Offer short-term commitment opportunities. This group generally does not respond well to lengthy program commitments. Short-term programs (month or two), one-time events, day or weeklong projects are more likely to draw young adults than long term commitments like teaching a year in Sunday School, etc.
Provide a place for them. Make sure there is a place for them in virtually every aspect of church life. Offer invitations for ushering, being a deiner, playing in the band, helping serve a dinner, leading in worship, etc. That doesn’t mean they’ll always come through, but being included is important.
Doing instead of talking. Often, young adults are more interested in doing a project or something active than sitting around and talking about it. Many young adults are very mission oriented.
Give them choices, choices, choices. This generation has grown up with a multitude of choices. Offering lots of choices in activities, studies, etc. may be more difficult to provide in smaller congregations, but having some kind of choice appeals.
Offering variety in worship. Change seems to be a constant with this generation. Worship that utilizes different and interactive styles of music, liturgy, order, sermon/reflection, prayer, etc. is attractive. The “contemporary” vs. “traditional” music conflicts are less of an issue than many think. It’s the variety that matters.
Expect and be accepting of informality. The traditional suit and dress for Sunday mornings are not high priorities. Such an expectation will be met with little enthusiasm and possibly an exit.
Brad Bennett
bbennett@mcsp.org (IM -
bradb53)
336-722-8126
