Adding a Pinch of YALT

The issue of young adults leaving the church is one that affects congregations in every geographical region. In 2008, The Leadership Exchange commissioned the Young Adult Leadership Taskforce (YALT) to investigate and begin the conversation about how churches could engage with young adults from CRC congregations, especially with reference to raising up a new generation of church leaders.

In answer to this call, the task force is officially unveiling plans for "re:kindle 2012".

re:kindle: The 2012 Young Adult Summit

Approved by Synod 2011, the CRC’s first-ever young adult summit will happen on the campus of Redeemer College in Ancaster, ON June 7-9, overlapping two days of the CRC Synod 2012. Limited to around 100 young adults, attendees will be chosen based on nominations from pastors, churches, classes, campus ministries and clusters, as well as individuals. The cost of attendance will be $100 plus travel to Toronto, ON (for Canadians) or Buffalo, NY (for Americans). Speakers and the worship band for re:kindle 2012 have not yet been announced. Nomination forms and further information can be found online at www.crcna.org/rekindle

More than Just a Conference, YALT Goes Local

In addition to re:kindle 2012, YALT is also unveiling two regional/local programs built to encourage the conversation about what's next for young adults and the CRC through region- or church-specific consultation and workshops.

• re:script Weekends - re:script weekends are a regionally-based program put on by YALT as a way to create a space for conversation amongst young adults in the CRC about what it means to be a part of and lead in the local church. Specifically molded to each context, re:script weekends can be sponsored by individual churches, classes, clusters, campus ministries or any combination of those entities. With very limited overhead, this is an affordable way to get young adults in your church, campus ministry or region talking about what it means to be a young adult in the church.
• churchINcomplete - For churches or regions that are beginning to ask questions about how to better engage young adults and build into future leaders, churchINcomplete consultations are a great way to think creatively about what issues are hindering the journey from their current position to their desired outcome of young adult engagement. churchINcomplete includes anonymous surveying, tips from experienced young adult leaders and case studies of other CRC congregations who have walked this path before - all to start the conversation about what is next in your church or region’s future. As a counterpart to re:script weekends, churchINcomplete is an affordable way to start the conversation.

Get Involved

So here are three things you and your church can do right now to get involved:

1. Nominate a young person for one of the 100 spots available at the 2012 re:kindle event (nomination form at crcna.org/rekindle).
2. Consider bringing re:script or churchINcomplete weekend to your church or region (email [email protected] if you’re interested).
3. Start the conversation now! What issues surrounding young adults or young adult ministry is your church facing?