Stage Three: Building

Building is the third of five stages of young adult ministry development in congregations. Find more information on the five stages.

Description

Young adults are connected to each other in small groups, and have started to create a critical mass. They may have social events with each other, such as going out to brunch after church. They are starting to look for more intentional and spiritually fulfilling ways of being together. They may have good connections to the rest of the church, but few spiritual connections to each other. Or, conversely, they may have friendly connections with one another but are looking for ways to deepen their spiritual experience.

Strategies

  • Create an infrastructure, leadership and expectations for young adults to connect with each other and engage with their faith (staff support is critical to avoid volunteer burnout!).
  • Ideas include small group ministry, spiritual practice classes, volunteering, activism, social justice events.
  • May require discernment and visioning, possibly between some combination of lay leadership and staff.
  • Start with small projects that can build onto bigger successes.

Resources