Are We Re-Creating the Problem?

Jan 9, 2012 by kentonarthurlee

Are we fixing the young adult ministry problem in our churches?

I think that the church would agree that there is currently a problem in the structure and practice of connecting with young adults in the church.  There is a lacking.  There is a hole.  There is an issue.  Whatever you want to call it, the church has problems with reaching out and retaining young adults and twentysomethings.

But things are changing.  Many local churches are placing a bigger emphasis on ministry to young adults.  Leaders are taking notice and doing things in their churches and communities.  Things are happening, and that is awesome.  There are now entire church services for young adults.  There are Bible studies for young adults.  There are service opportunities for young adults.  I even know of some churches that have their young adults meet at a different location – like a coffee shop or restaurant – instead of meeting at the church.  Regardless of the specific activity, it is a

Although now we need to begin to ask a different question: Are our current actions in increased work with young adult ministry actually re-creating the original problem?

I was talking with a friend today about this issue.  One of the original foundational reasons of why young adults leave the church is because they are not committed to the church as an entire body of believers.  They might have been very committed to their youth group where they spent most of their time.  Or they might have been very committed to their own personal faith.  But they did not have enough exposure, involvement, and shared experiences with the overall church to make them committed to the church in general.  So they stopped coming.

Now we are starting to offer more things for young adults in our churches.  But we might be edging dangerously close to the same design that hurt the church in the first place.  If we create programs and activities that only involve young adults and never get them plugged in with the intergenerational community of faith surrounding them – then we are right back where we started.

So what are you doing in your young adult ministry at your church?

Are you connecting your young adults with the kids, teens, adults, and senior adults that make our faith communities so dedicated, diverse, and vibrant?

Or are you just re-creating the problem?