How Do You Do District Young Adult Ministry?
I recently received an email from a young adult pastor who had a question about district young adult ministry. In our Nazarene denomination, we organized our local churches into districts and regions. Where I live, my local church is a part of the Intermountain District. We have about 50 local churches in our district. For a quick understanding of what kind of ministry happens at a district level, this is where all of our high school camps, revivals, evangelists, and seminars come from for the betterment of the local churches.
So what does young adult ministry look like on a district level? Well, to be honest, there are not a lot of things happening for young adults on most of our districts in North America. But some things are happening and changing. And many people are wondering how to improve young adult ministry not only from a local church level but also from a district level.
Not that I have had any raging success with district young adult ministry. In fact, I remember one event we had where only seven people showed up. But I have been working on this on the side for a couple of years and have learned a few things. Here are some general principles that I think can help to begin to set a framework for ministry to young adults at a district level.
Equip. First and foremost, district leaders need to realize that ministry at a district level is not the ideal ministry for young adults. Ideal ministry comes from their immediate context and community in their local church. Young adults have to have a home in the local church. That is where the most important ministry is found. And the district young adult ministry should do all it can to equip local church young adult leaders. District leadership should use their comparative advantage to get resources that will equip local church leaders.
Resource. This one is kind of like the “equip” one, but it is a little different. District young adult ministry needs to resource the young adults in their area. Set up a website. Give them book reviews. Highlight important Sunday School resources. Give everyone the best chance to succeed. A district ministry can resource their young adults so that they can go as far as they want to go.
Represent. Sometimes young adults just don’t realize that they can be involved with things. You might already have a great calendar of events that are happening on your District. But young adults are not sure if they can be a part of these things. So your district leadership can help represent young adults at these events. District ministry can make it easier for young adults to feel comfortable, welcome, and a part of things that are already happening.
Listen and Respond. This one is probably the most important. Your district is going to be different than any other district. On the Intermountain District, we have a large geographic area. So events do not work well for us. But we are listening to our young adults and trying to respond to what they want. Take the time to listen to your young adults and see what they are looking for. And then work to make it happen.
Hopefully some of these things can be helpful.
Here we go!
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