Young Adult Ministry

Getting Started

Launching a ministry to collegiates or those in their 20s & 30s?

Here are some practical ways to get it off the ground.

For more details or for a consultation, contact Paul Jarzembowski.

 

Step 1: Who Are You Talking About?

The term "young adults" is a very broad term, and it is recommended that you specify. Who exactly are you talking about?  The first step in this process is identifying what types of young adults you are looking to minister or evangelize.

Narrowing the term down a bit is helpful.  More specific options include: college students; young twenty-something singles; dating or engaged couples; singles in their thirties; young married couples without kids; young adult parents in their twenties or thirties; young single parents; Gen Xers; Millennials; among others.

Step 2: What's Already in Place?

Once the "who" is identified, a common misconception is that the next step is to create a program or event.  In fact, the next step is to take inventory of what is already in place and working in the parish, cluster, or organization that could be enhanced, expanded, or reimagined for young adults.  For instance, are there adult faith formation programs that could appeal to young adults?  Figuring out how to integrate young adults into these already-existing programs can be just as important as creating a brand new program for them.

In addition, consider capitalizing on the "moments of return."  Are you available and inviting young adults into a stronger

connection with God and the Church on Ash Wednesday, Christmas or Easter, weddings, funerals, baptisms, or when they return to church at a tragic or significant time in their lives?  Consider creative ways to use those "moments of return" to bring them closer to your parish community.

Step 3: Thinking Outside the Box

A number of young adults do want programming that is specific to their needs.

This is another route that a parish, cluster, or organization can take is to think outside the box and determine what's not there that could be.  One really good

way to do this is to invite young adults into the conversation - ask the active

young adults in the parish or a focus group of young adults who are somewhat connected to church what they would like to do.

This can take a variety of forms: young adult small groups, young adult retreats, discussion nights on hot topics, social events, service and justice projects, trips, young adult faith formation classes, devotions and prayer, etc.

Step 4: Invitation, Marketing, and Outreach

The most effective method of marketing young adults is personal invitation.  Always has been, probably always will be.  Even in the age of email and text messaging, personal invites are the best way to attract young adults.

Organize a team to identify, contact, and follow up with young adults already active in the parish and with their own friends, colleagues, family members, and facebook friends.  Initially invite them out to lunch or coffee, but include an

invitation to go deeper (at an event, retreat, small group, or one of the other types of programs from step three above). 

This is the "Jesus Method" of organizing.  Christ did not advertise in the bulletin; instead he walked up to people personally, dined with them, and talked one-on-one with them, inviting them into a deeper experience of faith.

And as Mike Hayes, author of Googling God, says: "Go where you think you should

not go, and do what you think you should not do."  In other words, like Jesus,

go into the bars and bookstores, advertise in secular places, find creative ways to invite others at work, in the community, at the ballgame, or wherever young adults gather in your area.  The methods that don't always work with young adults are bulletins, pulpit announcements, or flyers in the back of church.  Use technology and the virtual world in new and creative ways.

 

GOING FORWARD

These steps are just the tip of the iceberg.  For more information on how to develop a young adult ministry outreach in your community, please contact Paul Jarembowski in the Diocese of Joliet Young Adult Ministry at (815) 834-4047 or email him at pjarzembowski@dioceseofjoliet.org.