The Church & Young Adults

For many churches there is a generation gap where 18 to 25 years old feel out of place or forgotten. When I left my youth group after high school, I thought that I would still have support from my home congregation to mature in my faith. The support was simply lacking many people that I graduated with left the church, or went to colleges not within driving distance. I took a year off between high school and college. When I started my Freshman year, I found a campus ministry to get involved with. Could that be my church? The answer was no, it is only a place where everyone around same age. Don't get my wrong campus ministry is a great tool when it comes to having a relationship with Christ while in college. Well enough about my experience lets get back to the main topic.

Many churches has abandoned the idea of college and young adults ministry, because it difficult to make this ministry function well. This is a vital part needed in the church to ensure the congregation doesn't just fade away. If the church is not building up leaders for tomorrow, who will step up and lead? Another part of is where are those 18-25 maturing in the faith, or are they at all? How can someone go from a youth group setting to sermons and singing only every week. They can't they needs a people to care within the church.

This reminds me of the parable of the sower. Luke 8: 5-8 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.  Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”


"College-age people don't necessarily need another weekly program or service--the key is to provide mentors who are available and willing to walk with them during the life challenges they are facing."- Chuck Bomar (College Ministry 101)

When you have people who care about your spiritually in the church, that can make all the difference. Over the past year I have to a little church about two miles away from campus. I would say this have attendance of 120 on a given Sunday. What they lack in size they make up in passion! They realizes the need for college people to feel a part of the church! I wish this same kind of attitude could be part of all churches, including my home congregation.

If you for a great read on what college ministry looks like read College Ministry 101 by  Chuck Bomar.