Ministry with Young Adults
Introduction
Ministry with Young Adults is the pastoral outreach of the American Catholic Church to the 79.4 million persons in the United States who are currently facing the challenges of early adulthood, which is considered to be the late teens, 20s and 30s. In this Archdiocese, approximately 1.14 million Catholics fall into this category of young adulthood.
Recently, the U.S. Bishops approved a pastoral plan for reaching out to the young adult community. The goals are to help connect young adults with Jesus Christ, the Church, the mission of the Church in the world, and with a peer community in which their faith is nurtured and strengthened. (Sons and Daughters of the Light, 28-41) The main goal is not to create another program, but to help parishes become more open and responsive to the needs of young adults. The Ministry with Young Adults at the archdiocesan level offers in-service workshops to help leaders from the various ministries understand the plight of young adults today and how they might enhance their existing ministries to attract and serve young adults. Empowering leadership and involving young adults are key components of these in-service workshops.
Who Are Young Adults?
Young adults today are experiencing life very differently from that of previous generations. Born between 1961-1981, they are also referred to as Generation X. As a whole, they are more educated, more multi-culturally diverse, and more media savvy. They are also marrying later, having children at later ages, and overall postponing commitments. Almost 50% of single young adults in their 20s have moved back home with their parents due to financial insecurity. (Otten B-1)
Young adults today live in a changing world where societal norms are being redefined. Many Generation Xers either have been a victim or know a victim of violence. Fear of AIDS overshadows their decisions about becoming intimate with someone or not. Family ties are being defined in terms of relationships rather than blood ties. Mobility is a typical state for these young adults. (Bagley 9,10)
Although young adults are more skeptical, cynical and pragmatic, they are also seeking spirituality. They are persuaded by what works, not what "ought" to work. They will reject religion if it is not relevant, if it does not fill their needs, or if it fails to help them in their every day lives. While most agree with the Church's teachings on faith and morality (60%, Gallup 1993), 80% feel that there are no moral absolutes applying to all people in all circumstances. They can embrace spirituality because they can experience it and they believe in their experiences. They are not experiencing doctrine, and are therefore more wary of it. (Bagley 9-11)
Young adults of today are products of post-Vatican II, where religious education was less regimented and more subjective. Consequently, they are less educated in terms of the doctrines of the faith. This often poses a dilemma for young adults, especially when they encounter others of different faiths. They are not able to articulate why they believe what they believe. This often causes frustration, questioning and doubt.
The Ministry with Young Adults Project conducted hearings with young adults in eight regional sites across the United States. The conclusions from the hearings reflect the results of most of the national research studies on young adults (e.g., research by the Gallup organization and the Barna organization).
When asked, "What do you think are the most important concerns of young adults today?" the majority of Catholic young adults named the following (in order of priority).
- Developing meaningful relationships and friendships (family, peers)
- Belonging to a community(s)
- Searching for a personal spirituality
- Finding a good job and establishing a career
- Finding stability in life: financial (making and managing money), personal and relational
- Understanding one's faith
- Participating in leisure activities
- Making a difference; serving those in need
- Balancing time and priorities
- Sexuality in the age of AIDS
When asked, "What are young adults looking for in a Church today?" the majority of Catholic young adults named the following (in order of priority).
- A sense of belonging and community; opportunities for involvement in church life
- Dynamic, upbeat liturgies
- Spiritual growth and enrichment
- Understanding one's faith; religious education
- Guidance and direction in life
- Acceptance and support from others
- Opportunities for service and leadership
- Social activities
- A community that shares common values
- Inspiration and rejuvenation (Bagley 12)
Meeting the Challenges
As a Church, we need to respond to these needs by first listening, understanding and challenging. Our goal is to help read and interpret the signs of the times through the lens of our faith. We need to stress the values on which our faith rests, giving young adults the Good News in the midst of an often troubled world. We need to offer them honest, straightforward faith conversations on intimacy, sexuality, economics, being a global community and other important issues they are confronting. We need to explore with them what these issues mean for disciples of Jesus. (Bagley 11)
Components of Ministry with Young Adults
Ministry with Young Adults is holistic and most effective when it includes all of the components listed below. Young adults respond favorably to events and activities that are designed to include as many components as possible.
Relational Ministry
This component can be further understood as: outreach, hospitality, presence, welcoming, acceptance, belonging, affirmation, trusting, listening, etc. This component can be experienced through one-to-one contact (in person or through the telephone), small groups, big events, thank-you notes, birthday cards, referrals, etc. Strategies for this component need to be intentionally and continually developed.
Evangelization
This component can be further understood as: sharing, preaching, example, modeling, testimony, etc. It can be experienced through homilies, one-to-one contact, newsletters, media, small groups, service projects, retreats, big events, speaker socials, just to name a few. Evangelization can be formal as well as informal, planned as well as spontaneous, and verbal as well as nonverbal.
Catechesis
Catechesis can be achieved through speaker socials, films and videos, small groups, retreats, marriage preparation, books and articles, etc. The content and style of catechetical experiences that correspond to the characteristics and life tasks of early adulthood will receive the best response. Short-term models are most effective. General adult learning principles are applicable. (See Adult Education section in the Guidelines.)
Worship
This component can be liturgy, ritual or communal prayer experienced through Sunday liturgy, retreats, small faith groups, speaker socials, weddings, and others.
Reflection
This component involves spirituality, listening, contemplating, meditating, dreaming, imaging, and remembering. It can be experienced through retreats, prayer, guided meditation, spiritual direction, small faith groups, counseling and journaling.
Action
This component refers to service, justice and peace, compassion, involvement, ministry, commitment and leadership. It is realized through service projects, fundraising, involvement in parish ministries, inter-generational experiences and political action. Integration with the entire parish, archdiocese, and civic community is possible in this area.
Diocesan Services
Although many parishes in the Los Angeles Archdiocese have a group specifically for young adults (approximately 60), the overall goal of Ministry with Young Adults is to raise awareness of who young adults are today, to welcome and invite them into a faith community, and to integrate them more fully into the life of the Church.
At the archdiocesan level Ministry with Young Adults offers several publications to help in this effort: The Catholic Newsletter Network, a quarterly issue with tips, insights and resources for leaders who work with young adults, a bi-yearly publication, Priestlink, which is made available to all clergy, and a Young Adult Resource Directory which lists organizations who respond to a specific need of young adults. This directory includes the contact person's name and phone number.
Two other important resources are the Speaker Directory which includes 100 approved and enjoyed-by-young adults speakers, categorized in alphabetical order and by topic; and the Facility Resource Guide which lists over 100 retreat centers and facilities throughout California including information necessary to be able to make a reasonable decision about a particular location.
The consultants for Ministry with Young Adults also offers annual Leadership Training, and individual or group consultations.
A Network of Leaders is currently being established in each of the five regions of the Archdiocese. Meetings are on a monthly basis with parish representatives to communicate the vision of this ministry. Efforts for clustering parishes to meet specific needs of young adults are being developed while also encouraging them to help their parishes become more responsive in programming and ministry projects.
An Archdiocesan Ministry with Young Adults Advisory Board is the governing body for this ministry. Approximately 20 individuals comprise this board. They help set the direction the Archdiocese will take in the upcoming years by developing strategies for implementing the pastoral plan set forth by the U.S. Bishops. These individuals also work with task forces which implement the plan. Some of these individuals likewise sit on committees within the Archdiocese to advocate for the interests of young adults, i.e. Archdiocesan Catholic Schools, Jubilee and Liturgy.
An African-American Young Adult Task Force has been created by the African-American Deacons to help address the needs of the young adults within their cultural community, as well as to support their goals. Sixteen parishes have been identified in the greater Los Angeles area as having a significant number of African-Americans. The Ministry with Young Adults consultant is involved as consultant, advocate and resource for this group.
A Collaborative Network Council for Young Adults has been set up to increase communication among leaders whose services directly impact the lives of young adults. Campus Ministry, Marriage Preparation, Baptismal Preparation, Family life, Retreat Movements, Vocations, Hispanic Ministry with Young Adults, RCIA, Adult Confirmation and Catholic Schools are some of the key ministries that touch upon the life of a young adult. The goal is not to only help these ministries become more young adult-responsive, but to collaborate with them on various projects.
The Annual Regional Young Adult Seminars provide speakers that address the needs of young adults, both single and married couples, in their late teens, 20s and 30s. Each of the five Pastoral Regions of the Archdiocese hosts an annual Seminar. Education and faith formation, as well as liturgies and social events highlight these one-day events.
Celebrating Young Adults in Ministry is an annual gathering of young adults usually held on the last Saturday in January. This is a bilingual event which recognizes the contributions young adults already make in the life of the Church. Outstanding young adults are selected each year by their parish and are presented with the Cardinal's Recognition Award at a special Mass. A Ministry Faire is included as part of this celebration in order to make known to young adults the various events and programs that are available.
The annual Young Adult Sunday is held in many of the parishes throughout the Archdiocese on the last Sunday in June. This event also recognizes and blesses the presence of young adults within the parish community. Often times, young adults have felt themselves invisible to the Church. This is an opportunity to help the community put faces on these individuals. Many parishes use this opportunity to promote programs that meet the needs of young adults.
Conclusion
Young adults are one of the Church's dynamic gifts and treasures. They are a sign that the Church is alive and well. However, young adults are also a part of the Church's challenge, a reminder of the need for constant renewal and a call to understand the changing signs of the times.
These guidelines are set forth to assist leaders in the development of vibrant, effective and holistic programs that help meet the needs of young adults. Sons and Daughters of the Light: A National Pastoral Plan for Ministry with Young Adults is a document identifying a vision for the Church's Ministry with Young Adults. The U.S. Bishops hope this plan will be an effective tool to connect young adults with Jesus Christ and his challenge to bring the Gospel -- with its message of hope -- to society.
Resources
- Bagley, Rev. Ron, Joan Weber, and John Roberto. Becoming A Young Adult Responsive Church: A Guide for Implementing Sons and Daughters of the Light - A National Pastoral Plan for Ministry with Young Adults. Naugatuck: Center for Ministry Development, 1997.
- Catholic Newsletter Network: A Resource for Leaders Who Work With Young Adults. Los Angeles: Archdiocesan Ministry with Young Adults, 1997.
- The Cutting Edge. New York: NCYAMA, 1997.
- Facility Resource Guide. Los Angeles: Archdiocesan Ministry with Young Adults, 1993.
- Gura, Carol. Ministering to Young Adults: A Resource Manual. Winona: Saint Mary's Press, 1987.
- Hershey, Terry. Young Adult Ministry. Loveland: Group Books, 1986.
- Hershey, Terry, Karen Butler, and Rich Hurst. Giving the Ministry Away: Empowering Single Adults for Effective Leadership. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1992.
- Nilson, Sue. Morgan, Andy. Starting A Single Adult Ministry. Elgin: Singles Ministry Resources, 1994.
- Otten, Alan L. "Young Adults Point Up Growing U.S. Diversity," Wall Street Journal 7 December 1992.
- Sons and Daughters of the Light: A National Pastoral Plan for Ministry with Young Adults. Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference, Inc., 1996.
- Speaker Directory. Los Angeles: Archdiocesan Ministry with Young Adults, 1993.
- Young Adult Resource Guide. Los Angeles: Archdiocesan Ministry with Young Adults, 1997.
- Young Adult Works. Naugautuck: Center for Ministry Development, 1997.
