For all of the complexities of young adult ministry, sometimes it is very simple.  I am involved with a lot of conference calls, meetings, books, articles, conferences, and a host of other things that are all trying to figure out the secret formula for young adult ministry.  But I think that at the end of the day, we are all missing the heart of what young adult ministry needs today.  Young Adult Ministry needs really simple and practical things – and it needs them to happen soon.

Simple things like leadership, activities, and friendship.  The twentysomethings in your community and that have gone to church before but have stopped going want two things – connection with God and community with others.  They are a demographic that wants to belong somewhere and give their time and energy to something that matters.  They want to share their life with a group of people who care about them.  Many twentysomethings simply want something to do, something to be a part of, some small place to call home, and some people to walk with them on this crazy journey called life.  That is why your young adult ministry needs to incorporate the simple things like leadership, activities, opportunities for community, friendship, and chances to connect with God.

Young adult ministry doesn’t need any more theories.  We don’t need this concept or this theory about how young adult ministry actually begins in childhood and this or that.  We don’t need to worry about how we got here or what it will take to change all of this in 30 years.  Let the bigwhigs focus on the theories.  For us, we need to stay centered on the simple stuff.

So you want to start a young adult ministry?  You want a young adult ministry that works?  You want to do something at your church for young adults?

Don’t worry about the rocket science.  Just stick with the simple stuff.  Lead, love, and listen.