wfn.org | UCC delegates ask churches to strengthen young adult ministries

[powellb@ucc.org]

United Church of Christ
General Synod Newsroom
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
newsroom@ucc.org
http://www.ucc.org

By Tim Kershner

MINNEAPOLIS?For many young adults, church youth programs are too
"childlike," and other church activities often do not reflect the stage of
these members who are passing to adulthood.

Noting a gap between resources devoted to youth ministries and to young
adult ministries, delegates to the United Church of Christ General Synod in
Minneapolis asked churches to reinvigorate their ministries to young adults
and encourage their participation in planning for the future of the church.

Tim Hachfeld, a youth delegate from Detroit Lakes, Minn., noted that many
programs and activities are available for his age group. When he becomes a
young adult in the eyes of church programmers, usually defined as 18 to 30,
those activities and opportunities are reduced.

The resolution calls for church bodies to develop events for young adults,
as well as expand opportunities for leadership to "promote the building of
today's and tomorrow's leaders." Local churches are also urged to bolster
communication and outreach efforts to young adults in their communities,
and to their own young adult members attending college, seminary and
serving in the armed forces.

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