I am one of the many young adult ministers who grew up Unitarian Universalist. So I truly understand the importance of a strong youth and young adult presence in our congregations. We can’t keep all our kids, but being intentional about how we do church in a way that keeps our youth through their 20s and into adulthood is one way to grow our congregations. – Rev Sara Goodman
Youth
I have found that I have some particular gifts for working with Youth and Young Adults. Having a similar experience to the youth, and a willingness to give them respect and attention – I am able to connect with them in a way that many adults avoid. Our youth are strong and intelligent and funny. They are risk-takers and movement makers. Raising ethical, funny, intelligent young people will help the shape the future of our nation, regardless if they stay in our congregations.
Because I grew up Unitarian Universalist, I have firsthand experience of how religious education affects our children and youth. Many of the people I went through the RE program with have left the church, but still carry the values they learned in our congregation into their lives. The experience of the youth program, including youth group, youth cons, and camps, taught me what radical acceptance could look like.
Teaching our children and youth good boundaries – including holistic sexuality education via OWL – teaches them to respect themselves and others. Teaching our children about social injustice, and helping them participate in social justice activities – both on their own and with their families – help children learn responsibility and respect.
Many of our congregations struggle to get children and youth to actively participate in social justice efforts, usually relying on bake sales or other fundraising activities that don’t connect with the people who are being affected by their work. Protecting our young people from seeing injustice doesn’t give them the respect they deserve. Showing our children what justice looks like in practice is an important aspect of religious education.
Young Adults
With my personal experience of coming back to church after a time away in college, I know how hard it is to transition from a youth to a young adult in our congregations. There is a gap that we are constantly trying to bridge, that gap between graduating high school and coming back with children. I’ve been a part of many successful and diverse young adult groups, including some campus ministry groups. These are a great way to support the young adults that come to Unitarian Universalism.
But the truth is, there is no easy answer for encouraging folks between 18-35 to come and stay in our congregations. Having more contemporary music, or a young minister, or an updated A/V system is not going to keep the young people.
What young people want is the same thing that all of us want. We all want authentic connection to something bigger than ourselves. To feel welcome, and accepted. To feel useful when we have something to give, and to be supported when times are tough, not treated like a commodity to strengthen the church. If we are going to keep the young people we raise, we need to reflect on how we can connect authentically with each other on a deep level in all of the things we do.