Synod Engages Youth Issue in Several Ways

It’s a good sign that Synod 2013 took time to show concern and to consider the trend of  young people leaving or not joining the church, says Jason LeFaive, a young adult discipleship leader from a Christian Reformed Church congregation in California.

Synod did this in different ways. Delegates heard results of a study detailing the flight of young people from the CRC; reviewed a report listing new denominational priorities that includes finding ways to reach out to youth, and gave young adults an opportunity to address synod.

Synod even took time to have everyone on the floor of synod and those in the audience at the Calvin Covenant Fine Arts Center try out social media tools -- the communication technology favored by the younger generation.

LeFaive is youth discipleship leader at Visalia Christian Reformed Church in Visalia, Calif. and coordinator of ENGAGE, a large conference on this topic held in May.

He says all of the interest shown by Synod 2013 indicates that the CRC is on the right track as it begins “to actively pursue a clear God- given vision … rethinking how we can begin working together toward a solution cross-generationally and cross-culturally.”

As part of this discussion, he points out, Synod 2013 delegates heard and discussed the results of a recent survey conducted by the Calvin College Center for Social Research that highlights what is being called by some “The Great Departure.”

The survey, one of several to tackle this topic recently, was honest and clear: Young adults do not find themselves attracted for a range of reasons to the church. They are leaving the church and not returning in droves.

LeFaive says ENGAGE, the conference he helped to organize along with the CRC’s Young Adult Task Force (YALT), drew nearly 70 participants.

Hosted by Visalia CRC in southern California,  it featured a range of  speakers who discussed shifts in culture, religion, and society and how these changes impact young people.

“The conference was specifically designed to allow church leaders to confront the research openly and honestly, while asking the hard questions relating to young adults,” says LeFaive.

One of the main speakers was David Kinnaman, president of Barna Group, Barna Group, a research group that tracks trends in church growth, and author of  the book You Lost Me: Why Young Christians are Leaving the Church ..and Rethinking Faith.

Among the statistics Kinnaman presented: Nearly 60 percent of young adults express interest in studying and possibly making a career in technology or science.

At the same time, said Kinnaman, only about one percent of church youth group leaders even address the topic, reflecting the substantial disconnection between what young adults care about and what the church addresses.

“For ENGAGE, exposure is the beginning of understanding and understanding allows us to re-imagine how the gospel can be reexpressed in our own contexts,” says LeFaive.

Over two days, ENGAGE challenged participants to be creative and expand their thinking.

“ENGAGE was far more than the typical content-driven conference,” says David Lemon, youth minister at Christ Lutheran Church of Visalia.

“What made it a truly invaluable experience was the open and honest dialogue with local peers who shared in the same ministry struggles.”

As the CRC considers how to reach young adults, it is incumbent that some of the more traditional ways of thinking and approaches to ministry be addressed if younger people are going to return once again the church, says LeFaive.

Amy Vander Vliet, a member of the executive team of YALT,  reflecting on ENGAGE, stated:

“Sometimes knowledge is half the battle.  Understanding demographic trends and generational behavior shifts gives churches a framework within which to understand patterns in their own congregations and then to act as they identify areas for growth and change.”

CRC churches are often known for their strong sense of community and theological integration of faith and life, she says, adding that “to reach Millennials they need to think creatively about ways of using those strengths to speak to the felt needs of young adults -- meaningful relationships and a sense of purpose in life/work.”

ENGAGE made it clear: Young adults want to be challenged, says LeFaive.

“Young adults are asking tough questions, and want real answers – not platitudes, clichés, or downplayed responses.”

To learn more about holding an ENGAGE conference, contact Jason LeFaive: [email protected] or calling 559-625-0444.