Holy Yearnings, Holy Listening, Holy Partnerships: A Peer-to-Peer Young Adult Ministry Initiative
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, in partnership with Lilly Endowment Inc., is engaging in a bold initiative to help churches launch new ministries that will attract young adults – a population that congregations today are struggling to reach. With financial support of 1.5 million dollars from Lilly Endowment, Garrett-Evangelical becomes one of 12 innovation hubs around the country participating in Lilly Endowment’s Young Adult Initiative that will help churches create innovative and meaningful ministries that appeal to millennials. To learn more about The Young Adult Initiative at Lilly Endowment Inc., click here.
Interview with Dr. Jennifer Moe
Dr. Jennifer Moe, assistant director of the Young Adult Initiative at Garrett-Evangelical, was recently interview by the Christian Curious radio program. You can listen to it below!
Hear From Our Young Adult Initiative Congregational Fellows!
Alexa Eisenbarth
When we gathered with the other innovation hubs in Indianapolis, we learned that many of the themes we heard from the young adults in our participating congregations were heard around the country, with some distinguishing variations, and even different vocabulary, as well. Everyone, however, could speak to the fruitfulness of listening to young adults in their respective communities. Additionally, the themes which emerged from these listening sessions do not offer a clear formula for designing ministry for young adults. In fact, the participating congregations worship and practice their faith in very different ways. What we know is that churches in every denomination and theological tradition are being called to do a new thing with God, and we trust that God is already doing a new thing in the world, with or without us.
You can read Alexa's full essay, "The Posture of Trees: A Picture of Church Leadership" here.
Colin McDonald
Reflecting on my participation in Phase One of the Young Adult Initiative, two repeated and associated observations have endured and have a chance to guide our work toward reinvesting in young people going forward: testimony and surprise. On the surface, both aspects are currently and steadfastly a part of the integrity and principle, or guiding light, of Urban Village Church. But a deeper look suggests that we as leaders of the church have yet to celebrate, and so, to comprehend, the kind of space we make for alternative togetherness as a vital and intrinsic model for the "space for change" and innovation Gregory C. Ellison II has spoken of and which young people can no longer afford to live without.
You can read Colin's full essay, "God is going to be God and I am going to be loved" here.
See What Our Young Adult Initiatve Congregations Are Doing!
CityPoint Community Church
CityPoint Community Church in Chicago demonstrates one model of deploying young adults as change makers within congregations by making small grants to context-specific missions! They also employ an effective low-cost way of sharing a project idea via social media and/or church websites using a short, entertaining video.
Young Adult Initiative Events by CityPoint Community Church
- Juneteeth Celebration - Guest Speaker: Public Theologian Ekemini Uwan (Feb. 2019)
- The Friday Night Wine Down - Young and Debtless Edition (Jan. 2019)
- Anti-Trafficking Co-Op: “Surviving R. Kelly” (Jan. 2019)
- Millennial Sunday - Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Brianna K. Parker (Dec. 2018)
Gilead Church in Chicago
Gilead Church in Chicago was featured in articles by the Religion News Service and The Christian Century that highlights unique aspects of the church, including storytelling and throwing parties.
3D Block Builders
3D Block Builders, sponsored by Arnett Chapel A.M.E. Church, focuses on discovery, direction, and development to support young adults in Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood, where both jobs and resources can be in short supply.
Grace UMC Logan Square Dinner Club
Grace United Methodist Church Logan Square is using their grant money to host 100 dinners in their community. The goal of each dinner is to invite new friends and get new dinner hosts involved by simply having a meal and conversation together.
Third Place Chicago
Redeemer Church Chicago opened a brand new site with support from the Young Adult Initiative. Third Place Chicago is a gathering place for all ages, focused on conversation and leadership. Third Place hosts events like Land of 1000 Conversations - an opportunity for community members to connect over casual conversation that bridges divides. Individualized spiritual growth coaching is also offered to those who are looking to go deeper in their life of faith.