wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Encouraged to Support Young Adult Ministries

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 13, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES
01-CWA56-LS

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Evangelizing young adults requires church
leaders willing to stretch beyond traditional worship and programs, said
Desiree Quintana, a young adult who chairs an Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) initiative to connect with her generation.
Quintana reported progress on the initiative "Connect With Youth and
Young Adults" at the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Aug. 13.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center.  There
are more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting
members.  The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known:
Sharing Faith in a New Century."
     Quintana's report on the initiative included highlights from a
1999 youth summit and tips for connecting with the post-modern
generation. Final reports on each of the seven initiatives, launched by
the ELCA in 1997, are being presented at this assembly.
     Congregations who minister to youth must "let loose the bonds on
the means by which the Word is shared," Quintana said. Church leaders
must meet youth where they are, she said, which means looking at
community needs. For example, if a church has single mothers, leaders
could form a small group for support, Quintana said. She also suggested
researching the secular music youth prefer, then finding worship music
in that style.
     To learn more about the role of youth and young adults in the
church, members of the initiative committee hosted a youth summit in
Feb. 1999. More than 1,000 people from 10 ELCA ministries gathered to
share ideas, support each other and energize for ministry, Quintana
said.
     The initiative committee also plans to start a Web site to connect
with youth. Participants in the youth summit agreed on the site's name
www.soulfuel.org. The site is not yet operational.
     Quintana said the name "soul fuel" represents the longing in her
generation. "Many youth and young adults long for God to energize their
everyday lives."
-- -- --
     Information about assembly action is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded updates
during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html