Five Hurdles to Effective College Ministry
I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside college students and young adults in the local churches across the country for the last 20 years. In my ministry I’ve always been struck by how many churches actively chose not to engage this 18-20-somethings. We started elementum to strategically work alongside churches and campuses who want to reach this neglected age range
Over the past seven years, we began to find common roadblocks that prevent church leaders engaging college students and young adults. These hurdles are present across all populations, geographical locations, church sizes, and denominations across the United States. Here are the five most common hurdles that we have seen.
1. A Small View Of God’s Kingdom
Let’s be honest, it’s hard to invest our lives into someone only to see them leave a few years later. We can begin to ask questions like, “What is the point?” or “Why should I spend my time pouring into someone only for another church to benefit from my investment?” These thoughts reveal our shortsighted view of the Kingdom of God.
Pouring our lives into someone is not just about what they can do in our church right now; it’s about what Jesus is doing in their lives and their stories to move forward in the Kingdom of God!
2. A Narrow View Of “Giving”
The number one way we think about giving is in terms of money. I hear many church leaders lament that young adults don’t “give”. This is a very shortsighted view of what giving truly is. Yes, part of giving is done with our money, however, it’s also giving of our time, energy, passions and creative resources.
When we look at giving in solely monetary terms we will never truly value what college students or young adults can bring to the life of the congregation.
3. Being Satisfied With A Broken Body
The apostle Paul teaches us that when parts of the body are hurting or missing the entire Body suffers (1 Cor. 12). Young adults provide something unique in the life of our congregations. I have seen churches around the country that have actively engaged young adults in their community experience the blessings of their engagement that have lasting impact across generations. They bring energy, creativity, spontaneity and life to the body.
When young adults and college students are missing, the Body suffers!
4. Forgetting Our Twenties
When I meet with pastors and church leaders I often ask them to reflect on their twenties. As they begin to think back it quickly becomes apparent that for most of us our twenties set into motion the trajectory of our lives. They think of how they got married, had children, made crucial faith steps, chose a career, and often times walked through some poor decisions that have had lasting effects on them.
The further we move away from our twenties, the easier it is to forget how monumental and life changing this period of our life was!
5. Understanding Generational Differences
All of us acknowledge how quickly our culture is changing. For many of us, having a handle on these changes can be overwhelming. To look at a new generation and attempt to understand its unique nuances can be daunting. Many church leaders acknowledge they don’t have the energy or desire to be a student of a new people group.
Engaging this age group is dependent on us being learners of the unique mindsets, problems, and strengths of current and future young adult generations!
These five hurdles can help us evaluate why our churches may or may not be reaching this generation. There is a lack of ministry to college students and young adults around our country and we as the Church, are suffering as a result. I want so desperately for leaders to experience the joy of having this age group deeply connected with the life of their churches. In doing this we will raise up leaders to impact our world today, as well as the church of the future. My hope is that engaging young adults would be valued in every local church. This will only start when this age group becomes a part of the discussions and decisions within local church leadership. When this happens, the Church will have a greater impact on the world for Jesus!
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