BRING THEM IN
REACHING
YOUNG ADULTS
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.
Using This PowerPoint
• We’ll consider young adults perception
about the church.
• We’ll offer suggestions (in green) for
reaching young adults.
• You’ll have opportunity to contemplate
information and to develop strategies for
reaching young adults in your community.
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.
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.
Thoughts About Church
● There are other ways to grow spiritually
such as the internet and small groups.
• They don’t see involvement in the Church as
an essential part of Christian living.
• They don’t understand what it means to be
part of the Body of Christ.
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.
Thoughts About Church
• Relationships are important to young
adults.
• They want to share life and to learn with
you.
• You don’t have to have answers, just a
willingness to learn together.
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 “let’s-behonest” relationship with a young adult?
Thoughts about Christianity
Christianity is cool because it is the
opposite of apathy, because it demands
sacrifice, because it forbids
autonomy—all things that run against
the grain of twenty-first century
American culture (Hipster Christianity, p. 150).
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?
What We Know
About Young Adults
● They want a provocative,
challenging faith that’s culturally
aware and something for which to give
their lives.
● They want to make a difference and
putting love into action accomplishes
this.
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.
What We Know
About Young Adults
They are still defining their faith and
want to know why—not just what.
●
● They also want to discover the bases
for their faith.
● Be willing to guide them in the
discovery process.
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 God’s
Word.
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.
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 it’s OK to not have all the
answers.
● Invite young adults to search for answers with
you.
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.
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?
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.
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.
● It’s your turn to invest in young adults.
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.
Advice From
Young Adults
● Give them good spiritual food.
● Don’t 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.
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.
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/.
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/.
Steps To Take
● Make the connection.
● Become acquainted with young adults in
your church.
● Invite them to your home or hang out
where they are—often a local coffee shop.
● Become friends—just because you like
them.
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 you—
even the difficult times.
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.
STEPS TO TAKE
● Make a difference—get involved with
your community.
● Young adults want to impact the world
with Christ’s love.
● Find ways to share God’s love in your
community.
● Use words as necessary.
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.
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?