Thursday, April 16, 2009

Young Adults Ministry

I found this great post by Ps James Macpherson that I know you will find useful:

THE BOOK Essential Church, by Thom S. Rainer, presents recent research indicating more than two-thirds of church-going young adults drop out between the ages of 18 and 22.

Here are the top 10 reasons:


1. Simply wanted a break from church.
2. Church members seemed judgmental and hypocritical.
3. Moved to college or university and stopped attending church.
4. Work responsibilities prevented me from attending.
5. Moved to far from the church to continue attending.
6. Became too busy though still wanted to attend.
7. Didn't feel connected to the people in my church.
8. Disagreed with the church's stance on political or social issues.
9. Chose to spend more time with friends outside the church.
10. Was only going to church to please others.

Here are my top 10 things churches that are essential to young adults are doing ...

1. Churches essential to young adults facilitate connection instead of running programs

Young adults don't want to be programmed but they do want to connect with others, especially those who have moved to a new city for university or work. Essential churches work hard at creating opportunities for young adults to connect but keep the structure to a minimum.

2. Churches essential to young adults empower them in leadership

I am convinced that young adults don't want a young adults program, rather, they want to run THE program.

Why is it that the Australian Prime Minister's chief of staff can be in his 20s and that Obama's chief speech writer can be in his 20s but that the church can't let a young adult even run the usher team?

Young adults are smart, savy and highly motivated. They don't want to be pandered to in a side-show program. They want to be entrusted to run key components of the MAIN show, and when they do ... they do it very well.

To read more click HERE.

Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Godspeed & Kaizan
Clive

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