Reaching Young Adults

1
Bring Them In

• Reaching Young Adults

2
Becoming Young Adult Friendly

• Many churches are concerned about involving young
  adults in their congregations.
• As you read through these slides, think about
  your church.
• Becoming young adult friendly may be easier than
  you think.

3
Using This PowerPoint

• Well consider young adults perception about the
  church.
• Well offer suggestions (in green) for reaching
  young adults.
• Youll have opportunity to contemplate
  information and to develop strategies for
  reaching young adults in your community.

4
Feelings Toward Christians
In overwhelming percentages, the younger
unchurched expressed an openness to hear their
friends talk about Christ. They may not be open
to an invitation to church, but they certainly
are open to conversations.
5
Thoughts About Church

• ? There is a disconnect between Church and
  everyday life.
• They see people behave and talk one way at Church
  and another way in everyday life.
• This stresses the importance of integrating
  Christianity into every aspect of life.

6
Thoughts About Church

• ? There are other ways to grow spiritually such
  as the internet and small groups.
• They dont see involvement in the Church as an
  essential part of Christian living.
• They dont understand what it means to be part of
  the Body of Christ.

7
Thoughts About Church

• ? They want to be like Jesus, making a difference
  in the world.
• They see people all around them that need help
  the Church can provide.
• They want to help those in need in the community
  as well as those worldwide.

8
Thoughts About Church

• Relationships are important to young adults.
• They want to share life and to learn with you.
• You dont have to have answers, just a
  willingness to learn together.

9
Time To Think

• What relationships do you have with young adults?
  
• How willing are you to be authentic with them?
• How can you begin to form a lets-be-honest
  relationship with a young adult?

10
Thoughts about Christianity
Christianity is cool because it is the opposite
of apathy, because it demands sacrifice, because
it forbids autonomyall things that run against
the grain of twenty-first century American
culture (Hipster Christianity, p. 150).
11
Time To Think

• What is your reaction to this quote?
• How does it reflect the young adults you know?
• How does it reflect your concept of Christianity?
• How does the quote challenge you?

12
What We Know About Young Adults

• ? They want a provocative, challenging faith
  thats culturally aware and something for which
  to give their lives.
• ? They want to make a difference and putting love
  into action accomplishes this.

13
What We Know About Young Adults

• ? They do not have a good grasp of biblical
  Christianity.
• ? They may have biblical information but lack the
  skills to assimilate and to make life
  applications.

14
What We Know About Young Adults

• ? They are still defining their faith and want
  to know whynot just what.
• ? They also want to discover the bases for their
  faith.
• ? Be willing to guide them in the discovery
  process.

15
What We Know About Young Adults

• ? They are looking for truth and something to
  worship.
• ? Remember God is holy and His Holiness requires
  complete surrender.
• ? Teach them the truth found in Gods Word.

16
What We Know About Young Adults

• ? They are looking for authenticity in leadership
  and an opportunity to participate.
• ? Give leadership role to young adults.
• ? Give space and allow them to try new ideas and
  concepts.
• ?Be available to help as needed.

17
What We Know About Young Adults

• ? They want you to be with them, not talk at
  them.
• ? Share life with them. They want to know how
  Christianity affects every aspect of life.
• ? Remember its OK to not have all the answers.
• ? Invite young adults to search for answers with
  you.

18
What We Know About Young Adults

• ? They may be rootless since they move about
  every two years.
• ? Invest in young adults, even if they move
  frequently.
• ?Recognize time invested in young adults has
  long-lasting effect.

19
Time To Think

• What new information did you gain from the
  previous slides?
• What steps can you take to educate the
  congregation about investing in young adults?
• What young adults in your congregation or
  community can you invest in?

20
Traits For Effective Leadership

• ? Influence, not authority, is what drives
  effectiveness.
• ? Generously delegate authority and
  responsibility.
• ? Allow young adults to bloom, taking charge as
  needed.
• ? Be a guide on the side for the young adults
  in your church, being available as needed.

21
Traits For Effective Leadership

• ? Facilitate new ideas and allow creativity.
• ? Model behavior for others to emulate.
• ? Serve others.
• ? Remember someone invested in you as a young
  adult.
• ? Its your turn to invest in young adults.

22
Advice From Young Adults

• ? Listen
• ? Talk with young adults, and balance listening
  and talking.
• ? Repeat what you heard to ensure good
  communications.
• ? Be willing to try new ideas and ministry
  strategies.

23
Advice From Young Adults

• ? Give them good spiritual food.
• ? Dont be afraid to challenge their spiritual
  growth and development.
• ? Offer suggestions for spiritual growth and
  development.
• ? Provide accountability. Be sure to participate
  in this process, too.

24
Advice From Young Adults

• ? Involve them in the kitchen.
• ? That is, involve young adults in the
  development of ministry strategies.
• ? This gives a sense of ownership and recognition
  of their ideas.
• ? Give them leadership roles, too.

25
Advice From Young Adults

• ? Accepted, yet Unique
• ? As noted earlier, this generation has unique
  traits.
• ? Accept these traits and guide them as they
  become Christ-like disciples.
• ? For insights into young adults, read the blog
  at http//nazareneblogs.org/lhardin/.

26
Time To Think

• How can you take this advice from young adults
  and use it in your ministry?
• What steps can your congregation take to
  implement some of the suggestions?
• Take time to read some of the blog entries at
  http//nazareneblogs.org/lhardin/.

27
Steps To Take

• ? Make the connection.
• ? Become acquainted with young adults in your
  church.
• ? Invite them to your home or hang out where they
  areoften a local coffee shop.
• ? Become friendsjust because you like them.

28
Steps to Take

• ? Authenticity is key.
• ? Be real. Young adults easily detect phoniness.
• ? Let them know you are in progress, too. God
  continues to transform us daily.
• ? Allow them to share life with youeven the
  difficult times.

29
Steps to Take

• ? Tell your story.
• ? Tell young adults about how God worked in your
  life and about prayers He answered.
• ? Share areas where God is working in your life.

30
Steps to Take

• ? Make a differenceget involved with your
  community.
• ? Young adults want to impact the world with
  Christs love.
• ? Find ways to share Gods love in your
  community.
• ? Use words as necessary.

31
Steps to Take

• ? Talk, listen, and engage young adults.
• ? As you invest in young adults, they will
  recognize your love for them.
• ? Value young adults by listening.
• ? Pray for and with them.

32
Time To Think

• How can you make the connection with young adults
  in your congregation ?
• How can you engage young adults in conversation?
• How can you engage young adults and the
  congregation in service to the community?