#youngadultministry

[snapdragonsimming]

firstbaptistsansequoia We’re bursting with pride here at FBSS! Secular society tells us that greed is right and moral, but our young people know the value of sacrifice. Though they could have spent the winter at home, celebrating Jesus’ birth and the New Year in comfort with their families, they instead chose to live simply in a dangerous region of South Simerica so they could bring more people under the umbrella of God’s love. Swipe for photos!

#fbss #christian #iscs #ministry #youngadultministry #missionaries #youthgroup #pray #selvadorada

456 likes, 16 comments

jazzy055 Praise God! 🙌🏽 We all miss Sofia and Rina but we know they’re where they ought to be right now!

[becominghuman]

Things I Learned from Young People about Faith . . . Because I Asked (Part 3)

In my last two reflections about young adults (YAs) and faith, I learned six preferences of the younger generation. Here they are:

YAs prefer dialogue over doctrine.

YAs prefer creative solutions over criticism.

YAs prefer community over church

YAs prefer inclusion over exclusion

YAs prefer people over polemics

YAs prefer reconciliation over resentment.

To be clear, these are not my preferences. This is what I learned about people younger than me because I was willing to sit for hours and listen. I’m merely a student trying to understand. And in that vein, I’m sharing what my teachers have taught me, which is why this project is more than “ethnography”. There’s a profound gift of generous insight in these six preferences.

Many of the YAs I interviewed were raised going to church. The Christian church has helped shape these preferences in the emerging adult generation. Do you see the gift? Like good teachers, the YAs are holding up a mirror to the students, should we choose to look.  

These preferences are the results of late 20th and early 21st century church youth and children’s ministries. We only have ourselves to thank.

And that begs the question: What do we observe when we look at these ministries (and ministry in general) in the mirror?

Doctrine simply means teaching. But now it can be tweeted and weaponized, reduced to sound bites and social media posts. YAs consider doctrine generally unhealthy. They crave dialogue, not more doctrine. They are not mutually exclusive in theory, but what we learn by looking in the mirror is that doctrine is code for “we have it figured out”. Ministry in the future must hold its doctrines at least loose enough for exploration, questions, and conversation. Even further, ministry ought to be the place that facilitates sincere exploration. No more staunch positions . . . at least those that are inhospitable to inquiry.

Enough with the aggression, the arguments, and defensiveness. God and the Bible (and especially the Spirit) don’t need your protection. Young adults have watched for decades the likes of Rob Bell being thrown under the bus as soon as they color outside the lines. Those seeking creative solutions to complex problems are the first to get ostracized. And there's a generation that doesn’t have an appetite for that kind of infighting. YAs long for creativity, collaboration, and new takes on complex problems we all face.

Church is not necessarily community. Sometimes it’s the most hostile (in really polite ways) place to be. YAs want community, connection, support networks, mentors, meaningful relationships, touch-points, check ins, and solidarity. But what they’ve seen is something quite different. For YAs, church is another word for the community that is integral to their religious imagination. There is no “going” to church. Church is authentic community, seeking truth and meaning and change. Which means, of course, church can be found outside of “church”. (And YAs are happy to go somewhere else to find it.)

Inclusion is moral. Inclusion is theological. Inclusion is biblical. When we look in the mirror, we often see exclusivity, shaming, and judgments. Here’s a really important point: exclusivity and shaming don’t have to look like finger-wagging and verbal assaults. Often times it’s subtle references, side points in a sermon, unintentional language in curriculum, dismissive postures toward alternative perspectives, name-calling, ignorant social media behavior, and selection of biased news sources. Accumulatively, though, what YAs have seen is a spirit of exclusivity. And they’ve had enough.  

Arguments are unnecessary. Not that they aren't important to have, but they are simply uninteresting to YAs. They grew up on a diet of seeing friends and family hurt by the church . . . and often it was packaged as an “argument for the truth”. An argument makes no room for listening. As for YAs, the barometer for healthy theology is listening to those it influences. Does it hurt? Then it can’t be right. Does it give life? Then we’re headed the right direction.  When we look in the mirror, we should probably see a long history of bad listening skills and a resistance to hearing about our shortcomings.

YAs are basically begging faith communities to lead in discovering and implementing solutions to the biggest problems in our world today. As it stands, they don’t believe the church has the chops to even engage substantively in the debates. And here’s why: Repairing the world in the ways we injured it is one of the most important ways YAs believe faith-based communities can make their way to the table of change. That requires, at the very least, confession on the part of faith communities and their leaders. While YAs crave social change, justice, and healing, the church has been afraid to even use these words, let alone facilitate the conversation about how to realize them.

[ministrycoachpodcast]

Online Youth Group Activities - Increasing your Online Youth Ministry At...

[justifiedmadness]

Regrann from @spcchosen - Good Morning! 🤗 • Have you ever felt like you weren’t good enough for what God told you to do? That stops TODAY. God says “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you and before you were born, I set you apart...”| This means that God knew who we would be and what we would need BEFORE we were born. • Prayer/Affirmation for the day: “I am Chosen...hand-picked by God to complete his will. He will provide all that I need. Amen” | Happy Thursday 🤗 _________________________________________ #Chosen #SPC #StPaulChurch #SPCYAYA #YAYA #Blessings #thursdaythoughts #thursdayvibes✨ #positivevibes #positivethinking #positivity #youngadultministry - #regrann (at Kingdom of Wakanda) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnrCpmlHgDu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13dnys2ifc021

[yabangeekizim]

Imam Mohammad Yasir Khan was appointed by Anthony Rendon, speaker of the California State Assembly, on December 7 as the assembly chaplain for the 2021-22 session, according to a news release. #chaplain #chaplaincy #chaplaincorps #chaplains #sermonseries #faithcommunity #nationaldayofprayer #youngadultministry #communitypolicing #muslim #americanmuslim #uspresident (at United States of America) https://www.instagram.com/p/CI2hIJxnIr7/?igshid=10zoi9j3rraly

[gospelblkhistory]

Young Adult Bible Study was LIIIITTTTTT!!!!! I'm blessed to be able to lead and have an opportunity to build with these people of God. #YAM #YoungAdultMinistry #LetsGo #WeAreTheChurch #WhatsHatnin #FunTimes #ChristIsKing #GodIsGood https://www.instagram.com/p/B-lQnmIn0qv/?igshid=wtrwd46yjfce

[herosangel]

NXT by Amey Coleman Link below: https://my.w.tt/DWlr39GLzY #virtualrealityglasses #wattys2016 #youngadultbooks #wattys #dydtopia #virtualrealitymurah #youngadultlit #virtualrealitygames #youngadultfiction #comingofageceremony #virtualrealityheadset #virtualreality #wattys2018 #virtualrealityworld #comingofage #wattys2017 #youngadult #youngadultministry #comingofagemovie #dydtopian #wattys2019 #comingofageday #youngadults #comingofagestory https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Se8lan7j6/?igshid=1c20qrpr7ra2d

[5stonesdesigns]

Prayed 🆙 Handstamped adjustable cuff bracelet on a variety of finishes *shown on aluminum* ✨ https://etsy.me/2PJx4M9 #prayedup #prayedup🙏 #youngadultministry #ministry #stayprayedup #youthministry #youthminister #ministry #pastor #youthpastor #youngadultpastor #christian #savedbygrace #5stonesdesigns #washedbytheblood #baptism #baptized #worship https://www.instagram.com/p/BxAVcYDhfIJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xi85ybuk8x5x

[astoldbyanaia]

A very simple yet profound command. GO and make disciples! You’re wondering well, how can I do that..? We’re stuck at home. You can simply start by praying for your friends who aren’t saved. You can even start sharing the word of God more and pray that the word that you’re sharing touches Atleast 1 person. Let’s not let this pandemic distract us! We still have work to do ♥️ • • 🇫🇷: Une commande très simple mais profonde. ALLEZ et faites des disciples! Vous vous demandez bien, comment puis-je faire ça ..? Nous sommes confinés. Vous pouvez simplement commencer par prier pour vos amis qui sont toujours dans le monde. Vous pouvez même commencer à partager la parole de Dieu sur INSTAGRAM et prier pour que la parole que vous partagez touche au moins 1 personne. Ne laissons pas cette pandémie nous distraire! Nous avons encore du travail à faire pour le royaume ♥️. • • 🇪🇸: Un comando muy simple pero profundo. Ir y hacer discípulos! Te preguntas bien, ¿cómo puedo hacer eso ...? Estamos en cuarentena en casa. Simplemente puede comenzar orando por sus amigos que no están salvados. Incluso puedes comenzar a compartir más la palabra de Dios en Instagram y rezar para que la palabra que estás compartiendo toque al menos 1 persona. ¡No permitamos que esta pandemia nos distraiga! Todavía tenemos trabajo que hacer ♥️. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #TGFCo #TheGoodFaith #ChristianBloggers #Christianinstagram #WOG #bibleverseoftheday #1peter #useyourgifts #bekind #1peter4:10 #FaithBlogs #Jesus #Beleiver #dailybibleverse #biblestudy #faithhope #godislove #frenchchristian #hispanicchristian #frenchworship #spanishworship #Rezar #LaBiblia #Alabanzar #Adoración #Labible #Jeunechretien #youngadultministry #jovenesparajesus https://www.instagram.com/p/B-HyJuQJKi3/?igshid=1ooe7vphxk8yd

[wcatradio]

WCAT Radio Word of Mouth - Episode 19 "Living Authentic Discipleship: Investing in the Lives of Others"

[itredejo]

Oh hey! It’s just Trav & Lo...a TraveLo! 😂🤦🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️ #cornballs #friends #village #thebig3 #minus1 #sundaychronicles #sundaysareforchurch #youngadultministry #millennials #jg #joshuagathering (at Promontory Point)

[jaredsorber]

A great day with great people. #ministry #partnership #youthministry #youngadultministry (at Nairobi, Kenya)

[metbaritone]

Calling all youth and young adults!! Join us for this special night! If you’re looking for something different from church, then you won’t want to miss this! We want you to be a part!!! #youth #youngadultministry #DCT #DallasCityTemple

[inkwellspoken]

Y AM I?...: Why Adult #Ministry: Why I'm the way I am in adult ministry is because of #YAM! #STEELYourMind #InkWellSpoken #YoungAdultMinistry #YoungAdult #ministry

[therealfaithfulfit-blog]

I am so passionate about young adult ministry. As often times we are millennial, leadership doesn’t always know what to do with our gifts and talents. But we’re just so excited to serve, to be used and heard. We need affirmation, discipleship and we desire to sow into others. ✨✨ . . . I pray you all keep that in mind and continue to cultivate the young adults in your church. We truly want to be of help, love and encouragement for all ages. ✨✨ . . . Any other young adults out there feeling the same way? Please share your experience so we can keep the convo going. @fashionista_believer @toyblessed @___certified__ @wild_fire15 @christia11taken @chrisg316 @marin_cinz @christchild04 @ohtheloveofjaylin @ms_dope_86 @j_fonsi @jesshow15 @justincredible___ @enjoiable_life @pookie_30 @meazysounique @jusme22 @soca_loco @amynahdiop @favoredd_drea @fiel_enjoli @fattyp703 ✨✨ . . . Use your heart and convey it with words. The lord has called you to speak up for those in your generation and maybe to even affirm other generations and their needs. You are valued. You are loved. You are Gods children and I am so thankful to know and love you. Continue to use your gifts and talents for Gods kingdom. #youngadultministry #ministry #faithfullyfitkrys #blackyogi #blackexcellence (at Faithful Fitness)

[thomasypark]

#Repost @gvbc.rooted (@get_repost) ・・・ "With gender identity and sexuality being in the cross hairs of today's society, it is absolutely imperative that we, as believers, understand God's original design and intent for us when it comes to sexual desires." #BradToy . .. ... This Sunday at Rooted, we will be discussing "LGBTQ & Jesus." The evening starts at 5:00 PM! ... .. . #rooted #YAM #youngadultministry #collegegroup #GardenaValleyBaptistChurch #GVBC (at Gardena Valley Baptist Church)