I was informed that my recent columns haven’t been explicit ministry “tips.” Previous columns have stated, “My tip today is …” or “My tip for you this week is …” However, the last few did not, which most likely caused the confusion.
So I felt it would be best to clarify things.
The title of this column is “Makana’s Helpful Hints: Exciting ways to enhance young adult ministry.” Its aim is to help leaders expand, focus, and/or re-focus their understanding of young adult ministry as seen through the eyes of the Bishops’ Committee on the Laity, the group that produced the guiding document for ministry with young adults, “Sons and Daughters of the Light.”
The dedication of this document states, “We realize the tremendous gifts that they [young adults] bring to church life. As single people or married couples, with or without children, their presence enriches our society and our church. We hope this plan will be an effective tool to connect young adults with Jesus Christ and his challenge to bring the Gospel — with its message of hope — to society.”
These columns will not always offer tangible action items or tips, but they will support a “culture change” of seeing young adults as gifts ready to enhance the church’s ministry with young adults to society.
Makana Aiona is the diocesan coordinator for Young Adult Ministry.