I’ve now lived long enough that I’ve seen a number of great churches in the 80’s and 90’s basically die because they refused to engage and serve the next generation.    Â
Today I received the following note in mailbox:Â “We are writing to let you know that a group of young people from our youth group will be doing a scavenger hunt for non-perishable goods in the neighborhood tonight…Some my be dressed up, but they are not looking for candy, only canned and boxed goods…All the food is then donated to the food pantry at the Woodstock Church of Christ and is available to anyone in need in our community.”
I was very impressed by what these young people are doing and this well-thought-out approach. It allowed us time to prepare and get the groceries together. We have our plastic bags packed and can’t wait to help out.
Later in the afternoon, I was reading the November edition of Fast Company magazine. Lillian Cunningham wrote a piece entitled World Summit for Youth Volunteering. She says, “At any given moment, young volunteers across the globe are building schools and feeding the hungry.” I know they are right here in Woodstock, GA.
She goes on to add how this could impact the upcoming presidential election. Young people are very active in knocking on doors and registering voters. Mitt Romney, a Mormon, may have a hidden advantage. Utah, the base of the Church of Latter Day Saints, has 40% of their young adults involved in volunteerism. This is easily the highest in the nation.
If young people are being expected to have such an impact on the highest office in the land, we should have a similar expectation in our local churches. The reasons are the following:
- Young adults have margin in their schedules.
- They are motivated.
- They have limitless passion.
- They have energy.
- There is an absence of competing agendas.
- The church has the potential to be the epi-center of their social life. They will invite their friends.
- The church can also be their base of operations for addressing social needs.
- And they are “inexperienced” and “naive” enough to believe that they can do anything! You know what, maybe they can.
Most growing churches are specifically targeting and speaking to young adults in their messaging, programming, and missional activity. The most effective church I’ve seen in engaging young adults is Passion City Church led by Louie Giglio in Atlanta. To read what makes them so effective, click here.
Pastors and church leaders, President Obama and Mitt Romney are planning on greatly utilizing young adults to further their cause. Their political future depends on it. How well you engage young adults will determine your church’s future as well.
To get future posts on leadership sent directly to you, please take advantage of the many subscription options on this site.