Ideas that work for 20-somethings in our parishes...

from thebostonpilot.com

Speakers at a two-day forum at Fordham University on young adults in the Catholic Church eschewed hand-wringing about declining numbers in favor of offering myriad practical suggestions to welcome 20-somethings to full participation in parish life.The advice ranged from the concrete to the wishful. These are some of the ideas:

• Instead of approaching young adults as a problem to be solved, affirm them and approach them as a resource.

• Instead of emphasizing the need to increase young people's attendance at church functions, stress their importance as fellow Catholics and the need to build relationships with them.

• Appreciate and acknowledge that liturgy will always be the source and summit of the faith experience.

• Offer inspirational, challenging homilies to all congregations.

• Encourage participation in cross-generational faith communities, where people can share their stories and find a safe, welcoming spiritual home.

• Use narratives of the faith and the stories associated with church artwork to catechize.

• Learn what faith and church mean to people with different ethnic backgrounds.

• Instead of doing all the talking and being on the defensive, listen to young adults' criticisms of and disappointments with the church.

• Tailor new initiatives to the life circumstances of young adults, rather than lifestyles of the pastor and the staff. For example, 7 p.m. Masses work much better than 7 a.m. Masses.

• Do things with young adults, not for them.

• Offer social and service opportunities, as well as spiritual activities.

• Practice actual substantive outreach on social media. Use the latest digital, image-oriented technologies and websites created by and for young adults. Plant seeds for reflection, but include an invitation to engage in face-to-face communications.

• Emphasize personal interaction and personal invitations from peers and priests. Have activities in homes.

• Encourage clergy to set a tone that says to young adults, "I know your name. I listen to you. I welcome you. I'm not judging you. And I'll come to your next meeting."

• Engage people through Theology on Tap and Kairos retreat programs in every diocese.

• Include legitimate points of exit for programs, rather than requiring a long-term commitment.

• Make sure tangible benefits outweigh costs.

• Emphasize core issues of faith, such as one's relationship with God, and how the church supports it.

• Treat all people and other faiths respectfully and charitably.

• Diversify parish and diocesan young adult teams by age, race, education, political affiliation and sexual orientation.

• Emphasize a "both/and" approach to faith and morals, not an "either/or" approach.

• Equip young adults with the tools of moral discernment to navigate the gray areas.

• Offer Eucharistic Adoration and silent retreats. They are rare quiet times in a noisy world and an invaluable opportunity to connect with God.

• In all encounters, listen, engage, invite, connect and reflect. Instead of approaching young adults as a problem to be solved, affirm them and approach them as a resource.