Young Adult Ministry Mistake #86: Focus All Your Energy on Those Who Are Most Committed to Your Group

Jan 10, 2012 by kentonarthurlee

Young Adult Ministry Mistake #86: “Focus all of your energy on the young adults who are most committed to your group”.

Conventional wisdom would say that this is not a mistake.  Best practices would say that you need to focus your energy in the most effective ways.  And the latest trends and theories would instruct you to stay away from areas where you do not get a good return on your investment.

But while that might make sense with your head, it fails to include elements of the heart.  And the heart is the most important aspect for young adult ministry.

In your young adult ministry, you are going to have some people who absolutely love what you are doing and are extremely committed.  They will be there through thick and thin.  Any times the doors are open or an event is scheduled – they are right there next to you.  They love it.  They are on board.  And they are dedicated.

Am I saying that you should not spend any time with these people?  No, not at all.  They need your attention, too.  They are the ones who need to be challenged to constantly go deeper in their faith and commitments.  What more can they do?  Who can they disciple?  How can they spread the Kingdom in their circles?  They definitely need the time, attention, and effort of young adult leaders and the church.

But it is essential that you spend your time and energy focused on those who are not committed to the group, as well.  Find that person who came one time about a year ago and try to connect with them.  Establish a good relationship with the guy who comes about once every two months and just kind of hangs on the sides.  Work hard to get connected with the younger people who come to the Sunday service but haven’t done anything with your young adult group yet.

Young adults leaders need to use their hearts as well as their heads.  Our ministry is built on reaching out.  And that means that it would be a mistake to just focus all of your energy on the young adults who are the most committed to your group.

In fact, grab them and take them with you as you seek to connect with those who are on the edges.