Yes, I have a few idea's like using Skype for calls from the church. Try to help them find a church connection in their new school location. We need to take the effort to validate them by taking the intiative to contact them as much as possible.

 We as a church, need to talk to them about our experiences including the one;s we are not proud of. They need that open door no matter what has happened.

Thanks

Ken

annmpea,

Thanks for posting your question in our forums. We posted your question on our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/crcna/posts/114495095288350

Perhaps it will generate some responses also.

Are you thinking college-age ministry to students who have grown up in your congregation and moved elsewhere to attend college/university or ministry to people in the age bracket of 18-22 who live in the area of your church?  I've got some ideas, but it would help to know which scenario you are facing.

Well, there is no proven template or silver bullet as far as I can tell.  Our Single Adult Ministry (SAM) is about 8 years old and I've been leading it for about 3 years now.  We are constantly tweeking what we do to best minister to our young adults and keep up the morale of the volunteers and keep our program steady and sustainable.  I'm a eager as you are to hear feed back.

 Our philosophy is one of connection.  How can let our young adults know we care about them.  Here are some things we do.

- We have a team of care providers that gather every other month for a "ministry endeavor"  Each care provider is assigned 5-8 young adults.

- Our endeavors rotate among personal letters, phone invitations to gatherings, care packages, post care mailings, and sharing special quotes, thoughts, or passages from scripture.

-Care providers are encouraged to check in and connect with their young adults

- I compose and send out a bi-monthly e-newsletter

- We have an annual gathering (after Thanksgiving weekend).  Out of a group of about 120 young adults we'll have about 15 that attend.

- I have a young adult Facebook page where I pose news and other information.

We are working on a lot more an constantly refining, but this is where we are at right now.

Blessings to you!

At the recent NEXT Conference, sponsored by CRWM, I sat in on a discussion about the "Changing World of Young Adults". The statisitcs that were shared were an eye opener. The average age for marriage today is 28, delayed from the average of 21, 30 years ago. And yet our church programs are still designed for youth group ministries that may go up to age 21 and then jump to "Married Couples". Single adults are left out.

We live in a town with 16 Christian Reformed Churches. While there may be pockets of  ministries that serve this age group ( up to age 30?)  at the larger churches, those  single adults in the smaller churches are left with nothing.  I'd like to see a movement to unite this ministry city wide. Any ideas? Is this even practical?

thanks Ken! Skype is a good idea--hadn't thought of that. Also your point about sharing all the news--good and bad. I'll share that with our group.  :)

Ruth: good question about who this ministry is aimed at. It would be geared to students who have grown up in our congregation and are of college age. With that said, I don't think we would make a distinction if they moved away or not (meaning, if a young person was of college age and still living in our town, I would think there'd still be value to keeping them in a group like this...). Your thoughts on that last point along with the overall idea would be appreciated!  -Ann : )

Hi Eric,

Thank you for the great ideas! I may "steal" a few of them!!  :)  Many have suggested a Facebook page. I'd like to also offer an e-newsletter--a great way to share info with these young adults living away from home.  Peace!  -Ann

Hi, I began a college age ministry at my church in New Jersey and a few months in one of my friends joined me as a co-leader.  It has been going on almost two years now but it has been a slow start.  Do not expect huge numbers, big turn outs, or even great events right away.  We started with a Bible Study during the Sunday school hour and now we do mostly social events just trying to bring people into our group.  Our plan at this point is to turn it into something more seriously focused on the Word and regular Bible lessons.  It has been lots of hard work, especially b/c I and the other leader work full time and are involved with a few other ministries ourselves.  My best advice is pray! Everyday get down and ask God where He wants this group to be and how He wants to shape it then just listen for Him.  Second would be to gear it more towards social gatherings, mini golf, bowling, hikes, BBQ's...whatever you guys like to do.  Then build from there, for us after two years will have a solid group of 8 that attend events faithfully.  I'm happy with the results and feel it will grow as God wants it to.  Best wishes.