Bishop, Cabinet announce new district names, boundaries Virginia United Methodist $2.00AdvocateJanuary 2011 From the Editor’s Desk AdvocateVirginia United Methodist ‘The few in the pew’: Vol. 179, January 2011, No. 1 We must embrace young adults Single Copy: $2.00 ____________ before they’re all gone Importance of equipping young adult leaders “We envision faith communities where all God’s people are couple of weeks ago I was talking to one of the most welcomed at table, nurtured faithful young Christians that I know. But his dedication leads to new initiative and transformed to be A seems a little “cooler” now. Maybe it’s because he’s Christ to others in the world.” about to graduate from college and unsure of what his future by Jessie Squires — Virginia____________ Conference Vision Statement holds, but he’s no longer playing in his church’s praise band and has decided not to go to seminary — at least for now. One of the questions being asked at United Methodist Inside This Issue Some rough experiences with church people and the churches across Virginia is a demographic one: “Where FEATURES: organized church “structure” have not yet driven him away are all the young adults?” ‘The few in the pew’: Importance completely. But these experiences have definitely reduced his If you go to a coffee shop, concert or college of equipping young adult leaders enthusiasm. football game you will see a plethora of young adults, “Young people love Jesus,” he told me flatly, “but they don’t but when it comes to Sunday morning worship, atten- leads to new initiative 3 Neill Caldwell O VocationCARE practices help Editor love the church.” dance is sparse. To counteract this reality and “make young people find their paths Yikes! That notion does not bode well for the future of our disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the into leadership 4 church. world,” our conference adopted the “All Things New” Greenhouses of Hope: Congrega- Young people of a certain age drifting out of church has been strategy in 2008. By developing new faith communities tions learn how to grow young common for years. I was guilty of that while I was a college student. that are relevant and practical to the lives of young leaders 5 Research has shown that more than two-thirds of young adults adults, the hope is that they will return to church or go for the first time. Conference implementation team who attend a Protestant church stopped attending church regularly is ‘re-thinking’ campus ministry 6 for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22. This is a great idea, but what about the young adults ence by Alan Combs, chair of the Young Adult Council. But this trend seems more than college freshmen exercising who are still present in the pews on Sundays? What can we This initiative is spiritually grounded though the sacra- Campus ministry at Virginia State their freedom to sleep through Sunday mornings. It’s a real do to equip and empower them? ment of baptism. When children are baptized, the church has impact on the community 6 growing disconnect between churches and young people who The excitement of getting young adults back into church promises, with God’s help, to “surround this person with Engaging in ‘faithful grappling’ at are not feeling spiritually fed inside those churches. blinds us to young adults who are still in our midst offer- a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow the University of Virginia 7 Your Virginia Conference is working to do something about ing themselves and their gifts to God. An important part of in their trust of God and be found faithful in their service ‘The Gathering’ offers transforma- that problem, or at least to listen to the causes and offer “All Things New” which is often overlooked is to “strength- to others.” The Young Adult Leadership Initiative is an tive experiences for young adults 8 churches some ways to reverse the trend. en the ministries of existing churches.” We cannot move intentional way to call Virginia Conference members to On the RISE: new faith community And just in time, too. According to the 2010 State of the forward and start new faith communities if we do not have live out their baptismal vows and create opportunities for in Harrisonburg takes flight 9 Church report, the median age of the population in the United effective leaders to start them. The main focus of this ini- young adults to “grow in their service to others.” It is also States is 35, but the median age of attendees in The United tiative is really about leadership development. a strategic plan to empower and equip young adult laity SECTIONS: Methodist Church is 57. And while 13 percent of the U.S. Many churches do not know what to do with the young and clergy for mission and ministry. Virginia 10 population is between the ages of 18 and 24, the denomination adults they have. They are excited to have them, but they The Young Adult Leadership Initiative calls every confer- Upcoming Events 19 can claim only 5 percent in that age bracket. do not know how to equip and empower them. To confront ence agency and board to action by asking them to “in- Nation & World 20 The Young Adult Leadership Initiative is designed to nurture this, Virginia Conference staff, in partnership with the tentionally engage in the calling, forming and sending of Clergy & Diaconal 27,34 On the Cover: and lift up our young adults rather than let them drift away. It’s Young Adult Council, took action. They joined forces a year Christian young adult leaders for the transformation of the Local Church 28-29 A “Wordle” is a time to give our younger members more voice in what happens ago to hold three focus groups on leadership development. church and world.” Through this initiative, lay members Letters & Commentary 30-31 cloud of text cre- in our churches, and to listen and respond to their suggestions. Groups met in the northern, southeastern and western re- have the opportunity for spiritual formation and discern- Living the Word 32-34 ated from a spe- We’re also looking at how we can do a better job of gions of Virginia in order to foster young adult clergy and ment through mentoring relationships and leadership posi- Classifieds 34 cific set of words, supporting our very crucial campus ministries in a time where laity participation. A conference staff member and a Young tions at the local church and conference level. Clergy are Grace Notes 35 in this case from financial resources are reduced. Adult Council member facilitated each group. given even more resources to build a vital support system all the articles The resounding theme from these young adults was that will equip them to participate in healthy self-care on young adult It’s up to us as the church structure to offer more points leadership and of entry for young people who have never known a world that they are still in ministry and service today because habits, including opportunities for spiritual nourishment ©2011 Virginia Advocate campus minis- without personal computers and MTV. That’s a big part of the someone believed in them and saw their gifts for ministry. and Sabbath. Through this initiative, the Young Adult National award-winning newsmagazine tries found in this denomination’s “Rethink Church” effort. Young people are Someone gave them a chance and mentored them so that Council will provide adequate assistance, resources and USPS 660-740 ISSN 0891-5598 month’s issue. Published monthly by Virginia United Methodist Communica- drawn to a church that is authentic about being in mission, they could be formed into spiritually grounded, confident partnership to the conference boards so that together they tions, Inc., an agency of the Virginia Annual Conference of The The design gives says the Rev. Kenda Creasy Dean, associate professor of youth, and effective leaders. After the focus groups met, a discus- can empower and equip the young adults in our midst. United Methodist Church. Periodical postage paid at Glen Allen, greater promi- Va., and at additional mailing offices. The Virginia United Method- church and culture at Princeton Theological Seminary. “Young sion about the results was held by the Young Adult Coun- The hope for the Young Adult Leadership Initiative is ist Advocate is owned by Virginia United Methodist Communica- nence to words cil and other focus group participants in January 2010. Fol- that our conference will make a concerted effort to nur- tions, Inc. that appear people don’t care if we [the church] are more Methodist; they POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to Virginia United Meth- lowing that meeting, members of the conference staff met ture, receive and take seriously the gifts for ministry and odist Advocate, P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Editorial more frequently. care if we are more authentic,” she says. “Wesley didn’t set out and business offices are located at 10330 Staples Mill Rd., Glen Visit <www. to be a Methodist either. He just set out to be the church.” to incorporate the fruits of these discussions into a final mission of young adults. ❑ Allen, Va. Mailing address: P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Telephone:1-800-768-6040, ext. 110; local (804) 521-1100. Fax: wordle.net> to product. This is how the Young Adult Leadership Initiative -— The Rev. Jessie Squires is associate pastor (804) 521-1173, E-mail: <[email protected]>. Office hours are make your own at Warwick Memorial UMC in Newport News, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.