Conversations in Young Adult Ministry

Why is there the need to specialize with this age group? Some of the reasoning for the need is probably our own doing. We have segregated age groups in the church for a long time and we’ve become used to that segregation. We have had childrens’ ministries, Jr. High ministries, and Sr. High ministries. When a student graduates and it is time for them to move on from the youth program, there has been little for them to move on to other than the Adult Bible study which is generally not filled with young adults, but seniors and is not geared towards meeting the specific needs of the “college-30something” crowd.

Why are there few leaders who have found success with this age group? I think part of the problem may be that we want to run a young adult program like we’ve run the youth program and essentially create another “youth group” that are just filled with older “youth.” The opposite may also be a factor. Our young adults may still be craving the “youth group” atmosphere and in our attempts to be different we aren’t connecting with those young adults who haven’t matured past the “games” and other youthy elements that were part of the youth program. Like youth ministry though, there is no “one size fits all.” Leaders working with this age group need to find what works for them in their own particular community and church.

Why are young adults so disconnected? The way we’ve done youth is one of the culprits. There has been a lot of flash and a lot of volume and energy in our youth programs, but we’ve failed to disciple the kids that come through our youth programs. We’ve failed at guiding our “kids” to taking ownership of their faith. Many of our kids have no idea why they believe what they are supposed to believe and the shallowness of their faith crumbles in the pressures of young adult life.

Well let me chime in on this. For years I have seen the decline in young adult ministries at every church I have ever pastored. At least in the context that I pastor in I feel that the local church is just not doing their part in meeting any sort of need for this generation. I feel the most critical time to keep and gain young adults is when young adults leave our high school ministries and have to make choices for their futures. The stress of continuing education, starting new jobs, separation from parents and siblings will cause them to seek peers for support. If it’s not found in a church they will find the support they need outside of church. And this is where the problem lies. I believe that if you were to dawn the doors of a majority of PAOC churches you would see grey haired saints who love the Lord and wonder why the church that they grew up with is not filled with the younger generation. Yet, when the suggestions come to reach this generation too many feathers are ruffled and we return the to status quo. I have too many questions and not enough answers! “If we just pray, they will come in.” I don’t think so! We like to talk a big game, I mean Pray a Big Game and yet we never actually DO anything!