The missing generation
Rick Hill discusses the issues involved in discipling young adults and highlights an upcoming PCI resource to help equip congregations for the task.
O
ne of the iconic images of last summer was a waistcoat clad football manager standing on the touchline leading his country to the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time in almost 30 years. Gareth Southgate won plaudits from all corners for his bold approach of trusting young players he had nurtured with the responsibility of playing for their country on the biggest stage. How can we be as caring and courageous when it comes to nurturing and releasing the next generation in our congregations? The first decade of adulthood often contains the most significant transitions of life. As young adults leave the bubble of their teenage years behind them, they are suddenly confronted with having to make real decisions, each packed with moments that have the potential to cause faith to crumble. In these transitions, it’s so easy for many to lose confidence in
the faith they once had. In many places, young adults are the most likely to leave church and the most likely to not return. It’s right to acknowledge the missing generation.
fully in an upcoming resource on young adult ministry. Two of the central themes that emerged were ‘relationship’ and ‘responsibility’.
Young people leave church when we ask them to be passengers rather than participants.
As we listened to the stories of young adult ministry, words like ‘relationship’, ‘community’, ‘belonging’ and ‘mentoring’ all featured highly. It became clear that the young adults most involved in church activities were those most deeply engaged in their church community. This generation of young adults are at risk of information overload and choice paralysis. With endless social media feeds, constant movies on demand and instant access to smartphone apps, this generation are capable of accessing more information and creating more connections than ever before. Even when it comes to the things of faith, online sermons, podcasts and audiobooks mean
Last year, we hosted several focus groups for people engaged in ministry to young adults within congregations across our Church. The purpose of these discussions was to discover key principles to help congregations be effective in reaching and discipling young adults. Some of these principles are shared here, while others will be unpacked more
Relationship
Top tips 1. Relationship and example Words like ‘mentoring’, ‘relationship’ and ‘example’ featured heavily in our conversations. Create opportunities where young adults can gather together and develop relationships with one another.
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Herald April 2019
2. Belonging to the church family There was a sense that the young adults best connected to the wider church family were those who stuck around long-term. Create opportunities where young adults can serve alongside older members in the church.
3. Foundational truth is vital It is vital to provide more than social opportunities for young adults, but also engage them in things of spiritual depth. Run a short series focused on real-life issues for young adults such as ‘Fruitfulness on the Frontline’ or invite some young adults to come along to your small group to encourage them to engage in Bible study.
4. Release them to serve and lead Some young adults are frustrated by the lack of opportunities to shape and lead things within the life of their congregations. Allow them influence and not just involvement. Invite the inputs and perspectives of some young adults at your next Session meeting.
5. Effective mission to young adults happens by young adults Young adults are often connected to a huge network of people through study, work, leisure or social media. The best placed people to reach young adults are young adults themselves. The more that young adults can be involved, the more they will own.
