Home / Uncategorized / Setting Up a Young Adult Working Group
Questions about and Suggestions for setting up a Young Adult Working Group (YAWG) in your Congregation
1. Why set up a YAWG in our congregation?
a. Sometimes ministries start and grow organically, and if that is happening in your congregation with twenty-somethings and early thirty-somethings, then keep watering that soil! Share suggestions with neighboring congregations about what seems to work and what doesn’t work.
b. If you are like most congregations, then ministry with twenty-somethings and early thirty-somethings is not growing organically if at all. The soil in the Metro DC synod, however, is fertile. But it needs some methodical, ongoing, and committed workers to till, plant, AND harvest. Traditionally, our congregations have not done well with the twenty and thrity-something age groups. Research suggests that we are not doing better, but possibly worse. (http://religions.pewforum.org/reports: at least 25% of people age 18-29 consider themselves unaffiliated with any religious tradition). In the same way we give priority to those things which are important to our congregations with our time, our energy, and our money, so too must we give it to working with this age group if we are to make inroads in our congregations.
2. Ask your pastor and congregation council if the pastor and council are able to support a YAWG. Like other ministry priorities in your congregation, a few methods of support are vital for effectiveness.
a. A line in the congregation budget
b. A chairperson committed to the work of a YAWG
c. Either a seat on the congregation council from YAWG or a council member liaison assigned to a YAWG (depending on the congregation’s constitution)
d. Willingness of a congregation council member and/or pastor to attend YAWG meetings and events until the YAWG is strong enough to stand on its own
3. Choose a chairperson
a. Choose a chairperson who is committed to ministry with twenty and early thirty somethings.
b. This person does not have to be in the age group, but should identify with them and be committed to working toward outreach to them and their full inclusion in the congregation
c. Look for someone who is willing to devote at least three years to leading this ministry. It will take time and building trust is important.
d. This person should be technologically knowledgeable or willing to learn
4. Form a Working Group
a. 4-10 people
b. Look, first and foremost, for people who are willing to meet with young adults (wherever young adults in your community congregate: coffee shops, gyms, bars, etc)
c. Look for people who are good representatives of your congregation AND who are such great listeners that they can take criticism. (Young adults often offer valid criticism of congregations and the Church).
d. Look for a couple of people who are technologically savvy
e. Look for people who are interested in helping young people connect with others in the congregation as well as with ministries in the congregation
5. Set an Agenda
a. Don’t work too fast, but don’t drag your feet! Set a timeline of goals for your congregation. Consider the make-up of your congregation, the community in which your congregation resides, and what would be a good fit for the congregation.
b. Include a vision and/or mission for your group to be working towards. Set small goals, which work toward achieving your larger vision.
c. Contact the synod office to work with someone to help get you started and guide you as you move along.
Photo courtesy of: voteprime
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:35 pm
So, what exactly is a YAWG supposed to do? You’ve got lots of things on here about why and how….but not WHAT….
~Karl
March 12th, 2009 at 10:46 am
A YAWG should be conncecting with young adults in your area, both inside and outside of your congregation. People on the YAWG should:
- spend time hanging out with these young adults;
- ask them about their life (where they grew up, where they work, hobbies, what their goals are, if they feel like anything is missing, etc.);
- listen to whatever is important for them to talk about; and
- ask their opinions on spirituality, Christianity, and the church, then listen openly (don’t argue).
As you iterate between meeting as a YAWG and hanging out with young adults, see what grows organically. Have a timeline of goals, but if you put too much focus on the end result or on “recruiting”, then you’ll miss out on the real connections and relationships that can grow out of this. If you are open to whatever might happen, you might be surprised by the beautiful and unexpected ministry that grows.
In other words, don’t think of this as research into starting a new worship service or other specific program. Think of this as connecting to young adults and then working together with them to do whatever God is calling your congregation and the young adults in your area to do.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Excellent article, I enjoy every article I read here. Thanks,
and keep bloggin!