Young Adult Ministryin Congregations

“Do not yearn for times that are past, but recognize that you have been

given a foundation of faithful service, even as you build a

foundation for what is yet to be.” Doctrine & Covenants 162:2c

“Relevance” = Connections:How Does the Faith Community:

• Connect personally– How does this faith community make any

difference to me as an individual?• Connect with mission

– How does this faith community make any difference to changing the world?

• Connect with Christ– How is the life, message, death of Jesus really

meaningful to my spirituality?

Modern EraBuilders – ’40s

• Depression to Industrial

• World War II

• Change in Women’s role

• Change in info sources

• The “swing” generation

• Institutional loyalty

• “Pull together” ideology

• Traditional theology

Boomers – ’60s• Industrial to middle-class

• Vietnam Conflict

• Change in Women’s role

• Change in race relations

• The power of TV

• The “rock” generation

• The “me” generation

• The loss of authority

• Pentecostal theology

Postmodern Era

Busters – ’80s• The affluent generation

• Middle East Conflicts

• Rural flight

• The role of the internet

•The “we” generation

• The need for authenticity

• Relational theology

Millenials – ’00s• The “change” generation

• September 11

• Perceived obsolescence

•The “mosaic” generation

• Global interconnection

•The need for relationships

• The interactive mind

• Emerging theology

Postmodernism

• Move from order to chaos• Move from one truth to many truths• Move from local to global• Move from religion to spirituality

Changes in Faith Ideas

Relational

Less time, more fragmentedCulturally relative

Professional presentationHierarchical

Stable Leadership Traditionally relative

Personal presentation

Values uniformityGoals Driven

CEO/Manager Concentrated Power

Leads by talkingValues diversityRelationship Driven

Spiritual Guide/Fellow JourneyerDiffused Power

Leads by listening

FROM TO

“Us” “Me” “We” “Many”Auditory Visual Multi-sensory InteractiveHierarchical Enlightened Post-Modern GlobalOrgan Piano Guitar/Keyboard BandPreach Testify Share/Drama Share/VideoBOOMERS BUSTERS BUILDERS MILLENIALS

Changes in Faith Ideas

Young Adult Lifestyle• More mobile• Less leisure time – “free” time is booked• Suspect of religion and authority• Less willing to be “brand loyal”• Highly “connected”• Aware of quality / competence• Information saturated• What else?

• Current trend in congregational life model• No single “correct” model• More mindset than a model• Measures success missionally

• Spirit and quality over numbers

Emergent Church Model

• Interactive• Experiential

• Sensory• Casual / Informal

• Incorporates traditional spiritual disciplines• Message is conversational and educational

• Active in community• Centered on congregational strengths / gifts

• Simplicity

Emergent Church Model

The Traditional Worship Space

OrganPulpit

Narthex

Stained Glass

Pamphlets

Fixed Pews

Raised Rostrum

The Contemporary Worship Space

Band Area

Lobby

Moveable

seating

Pulpit

Video Projection

Greeting Station

AV/Room

Control

Raised Rostrum

Emergent Worship Space

Band Area

Lobby

Video Projection of stained glass

Speaking Area

Coffee Bar Greeting Station

Tables & Chairs

Prayer Area

Room Contro

l

Non-raised

“Coffee House” Style Worship

• Open format• Visual / Auditory• Scriptural focus• Intentional environment / decor• Discussion-oriented• Spiritually centered• Preparedness of all• Biblically & spiritually competent leaders

K-mart vs. Starbucks Model

A New Paradigm

Doctrine & Covenants 163:11

Through divine grace and wisdom, this faith community has been given abundant gifts, resources, and opportunities to equip it to

become such a people. Chief among these is the power of community in Christ expressed locally in distinctive fashions while upholding

a unity of vision, foundational beliefs, and mission throughout the world.

There are many issues that could easily consume the time and energy of the church. However, the challenge before a prophetic

people is to discern and pursue what matters most for the journey ahead.

Why Community of Christ? • We have no dogma• We are addressing contemporary issues• A commitment to earth stewardship • We believe God still speaks• We have a history of spiritual discovery• We are founded on Christ and Community• Intimate community environment• “All are called”• Connected to the global community• We proclaim peace & justice through Christ• We believe we’re on an “Old, Old Path” – it carries our

history while transforming us into the future

Congregation Questions• What about your congregation – would these

ideas stretch them?

• What are your success stories?• Why were those experiences/formats meaningful

for your community at that time?

• How is your congregation making a focused effort with YAs?

• What’s your biggest hurdle to worship and other congregational life with YAs?

Doctrine & Covenants 161:5Be respectful of tradition. Do not fail to listen attentively to the telling of

the sacred story, for the story of scripture and of faith empowers and illuminates. But neither be captive to time-bound formulas and procedures. Remember that instruction given in

former years is applicable in principle and must be measured against the

needs of a growing church, in accordance with the prayerful

direction of the spiritual authorities and the consent of the people.

Tradition• How does our unique message and

culture meet the needs of emerging cultures?

• What role does our “faith tradition” have in connecting all generations with Christ?• What belief traditions?• What traditional practices?• What traditions are important for you?• What traditions can be released, adopted,

or understood anew?

Doctrine & Covenants 162:2a-c

Listen carefully to your own journey as a people, for it is a sacred journey and it has taught you many

things you must know for the journey yet to come. Listen to its teachings and discover anew its principles. Do

not yearn for times that are past, but recognize that you have been given a foundation of faithful service, even as

you build a foundation for what is yet to be. As a prophetic people you are called, under the direction of

the spiritual authorities and with the common consent of the people, to discern the divine will for your own time and in the places where you serve. You live in a world with new

challenges, and that world will require new forms of ministry. The priesthood must especially respond to that challenge, and the church is admonished to prayerfully

consider how calling and giftedness in the Community of Christ can best be expressed in a new time.

Questions:

After all we’ve discussed, how would we create a worship

experience for young adults if we were starting from scratch?

Questions:

• What do you think the church will look like in 15-20-50 years? Will it exist?

“Do not yearn for times that are past, but recognize that you have been

given a foundation of faithful service, even as you build a

foundation for what is yet to be.” Doctrine & Covenants 162:2c

Related Books & Bibliography

The Emerging Churchby Dan Kimball 2003 Youth Specialties/Zondervan

Adventures in Missing the Point by McLaren & Compolo 2003 Youth Specialties/Zondervan

Stories of Emergenceed. by Mike Yaconelli 2003 Youth Specialties/Zondervan

21 Bridges to the 21st Century by Lyle Schaller

Barna Research GroupGeorge Barna, Ventura, CA 93003 – www.barna.org

Faith of My Fathersby Chris Seay