Sylvester Mesteth makes a point during the young-adult forum.

Young Adults Seek Larger Role

They came from congregations large and small, urban and rural, shrinking and growing. They voiced a passion for Community of Christ and their place in its future.

And there wasn’t a gray head among them.

The roughly 130 young adults who crammed into the Temple’s Lecture Hall following President Steve Veazey’s April 5 address in Independence, Missouri, came with an agenda. They wanted to learn what the First Presidency thinks about their futures, their frustrations, and their faith. And they wanted to seize a chance to offer concerns, questions, and hopes for bigger roles.

They heard a message that will touch church members across the globe: Congregations must change to give more responsibility and leadership to young adults. If necessary, some congregations may have to alter the way they “do” church.

“I think the church has a responsibility to help congregations understand how to receive the leadership and ministry of young adults,” President Veazey said. “At the same time, we need to plant some new congregations led by young adults. I think that will be critical to the future.”

(l. to r.) Presidents Dave Schaal, Steve Veazey, and Becky Savage talk with young adults.

President David Schaal knows that won’t be an easy sell in some places, but he expressed urgency.

“Some congregations will hold on to the way things are and refuse to change, and that will be at their peril,” he said. “Some may want to explore radical new ways of being with each other. Many of the older adults are the power brokers in congregations, and we’ll need their help to clear the way.”

President Becky Savage urged the young adults to show creativity in seeking opportunities to lead and minister. She noted that traditional formats are not the only way to worship.

“Church can be going to Starbucks and talking about issues in life,” she said. “Church can be coming together as a singing group. How do you replicate what happens at camps in church? We need to be thinking outside the walls.”

President Veazey admitted that leaders don’t have all the answers. This informal event, which ran longer than an hour, was a start to finding them. It marked a key step in making the church more relevant and engaging for young adults while boosting chances for them to receive and give ministry. More forums and other events will be scheduled.

“I would like to see young-adult worship events here in the Temple,” President Veazey said, “and take advantage of music, drama, and video skills to make…this place come alive.”

Meanwhile, the young adults showed no reticence in their comments.

A young man from the Pleasant Heights congregation in Independence asked: “Shouldn’t older adults sense that it’s time to give up and move aside?”

President Veazey responded: “One thing to keep in mind is that to be the body of Christ, all generations are needed. It’s a matter of being mentors and opening up opportunities for leadership. The key is to let young adults into areas of responsibility so they can have a real impact.”

A young man from Odessa, Missouri, asked: “How do you go about getting more representation in congregations?”

President Veazey replied: “I think that a lot of the challenge rests on challenging leadership such as ourselves to help congregations see it’s so important. We need to be more assertive.

“Congregations that ignore this are in danger. They’re on a pathway to something that’s not healthy and vital. Church leaders must do the ‘John the Baptist’ thing: Prepare the way.”

He added that a good way for young adults to develop leadership skills is through World Service Corps.

The evening’s turnout excited Erica Blevins Nye, a young-adult disciple formation specialist based in Troy, Michigan. She said one possible challenge is for “older generations maybe to let go of how church looks. First, though, I would challenge young adults to see how they fit into the ministry with generations that are ahead of us, too.”

She added that the effort to involve young adults “carries an immense meaning for the future. I believe this generation is at the heart of what the church is called to do with peace, justice, and reconciliation. Until we get them engaged we won’t be living out the mission of the church.”

Voices from the Crowd

The First Presidency recently fielded statements, questions, and suggestions from about 130 young adults on the role they would like to play in congregational ministry and leadership. Among the comments:

• Matt Varner said his East Alton congregation in Independence is very diverse. “For us, we speak up. We want to be used. We say, ‘Use us.’ Be the squeaky wheel, and you will be oiled.”

• Emily Hartford, from the Beacon Heights congregation in Independence, noted that a difficult part of being a young adult is making transitions, such as from high school to college, or college to the working world. “It’s hard to know where your place is.”

• Kara Vojcsik, Cornerstone Congregation

  Nathan Pollard, Village Heights Congregaiton

  Emily Rose, a 19-year-old Graceland student from Mobile, Alabama, commented on building community, though perhaps with projects a bit short of the World Service Corps. “I’m itching not to be limited to a building. We want to be in the community and doing things. We’re just antsy….”

• Elizabeth Swick of Stone Church in Independence, said events such as the Temple dialogue are “important because we’re the new generation and have to keep things going…. We’re here and interested, and we want to do our part. It’s something that I’m going to be meditating on and carrying with me.”

• Brett Scherer of Overland Park, Kansas, said that the church is trying to reach out, but he noted that congregations often don’t have the “horsepower” to draw a “critical mass” of young adults. He suggested the World Church promote bigger events, such as dance nights.

• Kara Vojcsik of the Cornerstone congregation in Independence, said President Veazey’s sincerity impressed her. “It’s obvious it’s a passion of his. He would say that we’re the church of today and not the church of tomorrow.” She added, however, that the gifts of many of her friends are being overlooked.

• Nathan Pollard of the Village Heights congregation in Independence, said he liked the way President Veazey “admitted that we’re not doing as well as we should be with young adults, and they want to help us. I’d like to see more activities, like using the Auditorium for Christian concerts.”

• Lena Mesteth of the Pleasant Heights congregation in Independence, said young adults need to do more. “We’re young, and the church needs us for the future.”

We Need Your Comments

The World Church wants to hear the thoughts, concerns, and suggestions of young adults on taking larger roles in worship, ministry, and leadership. Comments may be sent to Erica Blevins Nye, a young-adult disciple formation specialist. Comments also may be delivered at www.we-cause.org. All submissions will be forwarded to the First Presidency.

—Greg Clark reporting