It seems as long as I can remember we have been "creating" "reviving" or "envisioning" youth and young adult ministries. Why do we seem to always return to the same point? Is it a difference in approach to the ministries, and are we seeing the natural progression of leaders coming and going and leaving their stamp on history? Or are we seeing the presence of ageism, where misunderstandings have lead to a division between the young and old leaders of the church? Why does it seem at times as though I spend my life trying to help youth and young adult ministries just function, rather than being a participant in an existing program? Do I enjoy this rat race, or are we really seeing a great shift in the way that we minister to the young people of the church?

What strikes me as I do my work is that young adults as a whole are incredibly busy and involved in many projects that allow them to pursue their passions. They hold multiple jobs, volunteer, and keep active social lives all while furthering their education either through classes or independent study or keeping informed on the latest news issues. While they often have the talent to lead their peers in ministry, in progressive Christian culture they may not always have the time or resources to do so. One should not assume, however, that young adults need to look outside their own social group for a leader among them. Intelligent, independent, and fiercely motivated, young adults are natural leaders. Given the right tools, they will rise to the occasion. In the reality that we live in, though, a young adult has to choose between a minimum wage job pursuing social justice, and volunteering his/her time to create the youth and young adult structures they think are lacking in church society. Young adults can and will fill God's call in their lives by serving outside of the church, and if the church cannot afford to financially and spiritually support young leaders, they often must look elsewhere for places to pursue their faith.

That doesn't answer the question as to why we are rebuilding the wheel, but it does answer another important question — where are the young leaders? Those with whom I serve in leadership capacity are also involved with international social justice advocacy, local labor rights, LGBT issues, and interfaith work that spans many of the same issues that the church directly confront. Yet young adults are addressing these issues from the place of alternative organizations that provide internships, job placement, and international networks in ways that the church cannot provide. In many ways, this is a positive impact on the world because we have young adults of faith in all sectors of society, rather than constricting themselves to serving in the church. By taking their faith onto the streets, they can be on the front lines with the principles of their faith, making sure those values are represented. The leaders are there, and since they are offered so many tools in which they can exercise their faith, they are capable of unimaginably influential acts. The influence of young adults of faith can often be felt more greatly outside of the church, than within it.

This leads me to the dilemma that the church is failing to provide for these leaders. The young people that can change the world are often not being nourished by the ministries of the church, and many care so passionately for their faith that they will give countless hours to shape youth and young adult programs into a successful network of ministries, organizations, and valid power in the church movement. They spend their time in the church building what they think they need to be active members of the community, but cannot seem to find already in existence.

Youth and young adult ministries are all about networks. It's about connecting the people doing great work in a rural local church with the people pursuing equally great work on inner-city streets and giving them the tools so they can learn from each other and positively influence the ministries of someone thousands of miles away. It's about creating resources so a progressive Christian young adult never feels as though they are without peers when they go away to college, or come home for the summer, move to a new town, or start a new family. It's about recognizing that while all generations should be fully integrated into the life of the church, there are moments when individuals need a structure within which they can connect with peers instead of being diversely grouped. It's about spending as much energy and as much financial investment on national gatherings with a common goal as we do on the small group camps, youth groups, and bible studies that are sprinkled among our ministries. Finally, it has to be in recognition that community takes many forms, and each holds an important piece of the puzzle.

This vision takes people. It takes people who can encourage and connect, and not necessarily people who need to create. The networks exist, but they need the confidence and the connection to the wider church. We need to utilize old and new technologies and we need the people who are willing to step up and lead the movement — people who can not only champion the unique needs of youth and young adults, but people who aren't afraid to speak out against the staid institution that doesn't serve today's leaders. Young leaders must be identified, nurtured, and given the financial support that will allow them to dedicate their time to the church and bring their energy and passion that we so desperately need. Young and old, coming together, can make the ministry succeed. Without it, we are no longer the church movement that we were built upon.