By Steve Hamilton

The topic of ministry to young adults in Rocky Mountain Conference comes up in conversation regularly in the youth department. Many of our discussions start with the question, “What should we do?” This is a complex question and there are few clear answers.

Research over the last few years indicates that the Adventist church in North America is losing more than 70 percent of young adults post-college. Some have suggested that even if the church ceased all forms of outside evangel- ism and simply retained its young people, the church would grow at a faster rate than it is today. This raises the alarming question, “What is going wrong?”

As a youth director, I have had opportunities to be part of discussion forums where this has been the topic. Interestingly, most of these discussions are being held by people over 40 years old (myself included) many of whom have been in youth ministry for years and have strong opinions on what the church is doing wrong with young adults.

Recently, at one of these events, I listened for more than an hour to an open mic forum where people involved in youth ministry waxed eloquent about the issues around losing young adult involvement in church. I thought, “If we had the answers, we wouldn’t be having this discussion!

Many of us have been involved in youth and young adult ministry over the fifteen-year period that research shows has brought the largest fall-out of our youth. We need better ways of interacting with young adults and asking them how the church can become more relevant in their lives. What issues are they facing and how can the church give support? Young adults have valuable perspectives and input. Consider the young leaders from our beginnings, most of whom were under 30 years old, who established our denomination. In this time of crisis, we are naturally asking, “What went wrong?” This important question must be asked by mature leaders who are willing to listen to the answers.

One important aspect of listening is an environment where individuals sense that there are no stupid questions and equally no stupid answers. Their input is valued.

As we get better at listening to young adults, we will better understand what has gone wrong. This important topic must become an agenda item for every congregation, every pastor, and all of us in the youth ministry.

A question that is equally important is “What has gone right?” I find us asking what has gone right less than what has gone wrong. Yet the answers to this question are important to consider. The answers are ones we look for and consider in the youth ministry.

Parents, teachers, pastors, and young adults, “What has gone right?” I believe we have as much to learn from this question as from the previous one. If we can clearly identify what has gone well, we can do more of it! And, by God’s grace, we can also get better at what we do. Culture is not static. It evolves. Concepts and contemporary world views encroach on the choices we all make, and the way we express ourselves today is different than it was just a few years back. There is much we can all learn when we listen more, striving to make our faith communities places where all are treated as gifted and where all are valued.

As a youth director, I have the privilege of seeing the results of youth and young adult ministries that seem to have gone right. Rocky Mountain Conference hires 70 young adult summer camp staff each season. These young adults are incredibly talented and passionately committed to serving God. They have a deep love and appreciation for what the church has provided for them. Many have benefited from church school, summer camp ministry, and Pathfinders, and have grown up in Sabbath School. Something must have gone right! How can we as a church learn from this and from these young adults?

In late October the youth department co-hosted a young adult ministry event attended by more than 50 young adults. It took place at Boulder Seventh-day Adventist Church, and featured Walla Walla University chaplain Paddy McCoy as speaker. Looking out at the audience, I almost blurted out, “Why are you here?” Some of these young adults are incredible leaders in their local contexts. What went right?

We in the youth department wish to do more of that!

–Steve Hamilton is RMC youth director.