What can we do to help young adults in their Christian formation?
Discussion question for April 10
Our future leaders will be drawn from the pool of young adults, those in their late teens and twenties. They are in the formative stage in their life, making life-long commitments and establishing their identity. There seems to be a lack of guidance and direction available from our local churches and other organizations. They are too old for the typical youth group, but not yet considered “young family”.
As Christian leaders, what is our call to action? Who should take ownership of this situation, and how should it be addressed?
Here’s my summary from our discussion.
Young adults are in a transition period, from a place of dependence on parents and others to a place of independence. Independence includes taking responsibility for their choices.
Part of the challenge for this next generation is that they tend to be “me-oriented” with a consumer mentality. They are inundated with messages and information through electronic media, but don’t tend to have as many opportunities to build deep and long lasting relationships. It was observed that they are missing purpose, not knowing what their calling is or where they should be headed.
What is needed is a way for them to learn their purpose and the life skills that go along with it. They need mentoring. The church is not doing that job when they offer “interest-based” groups that only serve to increase the consumer mentality of the young person. An opportunity to give (service or otherwise) is an important piece for the young person to break past the “me oriented” mindset. This can happen in a church sponsored mission trip, or through similar opportunities. We can not transfer responsibility for mentoring entirely to the church, big or small.
We are called to make a difference and as individuals should look for ways to mentor these young people in their transition to independence. This begins at home, with our own children. Then it extends to the community.
The church, social networking programs, electronic messaging, interest groups, and similar things can not be the solution to the need. They are tools to be used in mentoring, but the framework must exist first.
We are challenged to watch for these opportunities and make the effort to invest in the lives of this next generation so they can make an effective transition to independence and become mature adult Christians.