Strategies for Churches
Establish a mentoring program. This type of program intentionally links youth and adults for a period of time. Mentoring can be done in conjunction with education and youth programs. The purpose of the youth and adult link is to share faith and life experiences. Adult's benefit by getting a glimpse into the world of young people, and the youth get to experience adult faith and values in action.
Doing service projects in the community. Linking youth and adults in ministry and mission brings both into the real world of helping others. A project might be working on a habitat for humanity house project, or serving meals at the local soup kitchen. Working together on projects is a very easy way to develop adult and youth relationships. It also allows youth to value their contributions.
Putting youth and adults together on a worship planning team or in a worship band. This is just one example of ways within a church for youth and adults to come together around ministry and service. Youth and adults sharing musical gifts or leadership gifts in the service of God. There are hundreds of applications for this principle, but the important dimension is recognizing youth as a part of the church of the present.
To develop a coffeehouse ministry through which youth and adults come together to interact and share their talents. The congregation provides the coffee and soda and the youth and adults work on the entertainment. The congregation is invited to the social evening.
Integrate youth into all the congregation's ministries of hospitality such as welcoming, ushering, and serving.
The following items in the toolkit could be used in developing the above adult/youth connections.
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