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The Missing Word in Young Adult Ministry
Published: 1/6/2010 2:12:51 PM

Talk of “young adult ministry” in the church often revolves around what we can do to “bring them in.” So we discuss trendy programs and the hip Bible study we just found on the internet. We search for “cool” leaders that will attract young adults. We latch on to a book written by a supposed expert. We tend toward ambient environments like coffee shops. We pick up buzz words like “community” and “relevant.” Not that any of these things are inherently bad. What is regrettable is what’s often missing in ministry. Worship.

When worship is discussed in relation to young adults, the conversation quickly goes to “contemporary worship,” or “emerging worship.” I don’t want to go there. I simply want to lift up Christian worship as the core of any young adult ministry, because it is the core of any ministry – period. As Lutheran Christians, we have an enhanced view of worship. Much of evangelical Christianity in America sees the worship event simply as an “up arrow.” In other words worship is primarily praise, adoration, and prayer to God. It consists mostly of songs and then a message or teaching.

Norman Nagel, in the Introduction to Lutheran Worship (the blue hymnal), gets at a Lutheran Christian view of worship. “Our Lord speaks and we listen. His Word bestows what it says... The rhythm of our worship is from him to us, and then from us back to him.” For us, worship is first a “down arrow,” God coming to us. Only after he has encountered us can we truly “pray, praise, and give thanks.” Worship is a relationship of gift and response. Sacrament and sacrifice. Give and give back.

Our lifeblood is “Word and Sacrament.” When we wonder about our faith, when we question ourselves and God, when we are demolished by a particular sin, “Word and Sacrament” become meaningful certainties. If we actually believe that God does what He says in words of forgiveness... If we actually believe that the Word of God proclaimed has the power to tear down walls and transform lives... If we actually believe that Jesus is present in a real and mysterious way in bread and wine...then worship is the core young adult ministry.

Some of you may be thinking, “But our congregation’s worship is so dry. For our young adults, worship is the problem and not the solution.” Understood. There may be things we can do in worship that help make it accessible and understandable within the cultural “language” of younger generations. At the very least, the preacher has to be on his game (that’s law for all you pastors reading this). But such suggestions are for another day and another article.

For today, I’ll make one point. Your young adult ministry leaders, whether young adults themselves or otherwise, must have an active worship life. You may be trying to get back long lost young adults. You may be trying to reach completely unchurched young adults. For them, worship might not be the best first step. But for your leaders, worship is the first (and last) step. Your whole ministry will be handicapped if the leaders are absent from public worship. You will be stunted and frail without worship. Why? Because at no other time will you hear these words, “You are forgiven.” At no other time do you hear God’s Word publicly read, preached, and proclaimed. At no other time will you rub shoulders with your church family. At no other time do you belt out hymns, as off key as they may be. At no other time will you hear, “Given and shed for you” and then digest the body and blood of your Savior. Worship is about God’s presence and our response. Therefore, worship makes good disciples, good missionaries, and good leaders.

A few thoughts:

-          Arrange for your young adult ministry leaders to worship together.

-          In order to highlight young adults within the whole worshipping community, have a commissioning of your ministry leaders in worship.

-          Arrange for young adults to participate in worship (usher, read, music).

-          Plan a special evening worship service for your young adults. Ask your pastor to help and to administer the sacrament. This could become a recurring event.

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