GroshLink

Desire equipping in Youth & Young Adult Ministry?  At the Brethren in Christ General Conference, I found that a masters degree is in the works at Messiah College, possibly starting in Spring 2011.  Wow!  Until then, take advantage of Byron Borger's excellent book list about young adult ministry (7/15/2010, http://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/booknotes/book_list_about_young_adult_mi/) and the numerous posts/resources provided by the Center for Youth & Parent Understanding (CPYU, http://www.cpyu.org).

Comment:  As you know, I've been seeking to address this concern for quite some time, visit Next steps for Next Steps, http://groshlink.net/archives/2009/03/17/next-steps-for-next-steps.  Honestly, I've found youth ministers for the most part unable to address/engage these issues.  For awhile I thought it was a lack of engagement and interest.  But it probably has more to do with them giving all they can to keep the middle schoolers/high schoolers involved, i.e., they lack the time/resources to invest in next steps and continue to connect with young adults. 

My most 'successful' conversations regarding the post-high school journey in Christ (w/an emphasis on college) has been with parents.  Recently, I've begun to wonder if a focus upon material for parents of middle schoolers would be a better approach ... this would carry into engagement with high schoolers and young adults.  Not suprisingly I continue to move more and more in the direction of family-based youth ministry.  Maybe I should start a thread focusing on our family's experience through these years (twins enter 5th grade in the fall). 

Note:  In August I'll be speaking with Young Adults on "What Faith Can Do, http://www.roxburycamp.com/#/camp-meeting/2010-young-adults. I'll share material from these sessions on the blog.  Praying for more opportunity to wrestle with these concerns with youth, parents, youth/college/young adult ministers, and local congregations.  If you (and/or your local congregation) have interest in discussion, let me know.