Lutheran Youth and Young Adults Respond to New Initiatives for the Church

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- "The church had better be ready to listen to us, because we have something to say!" exclaimed one participant at the Youth and Young Adult Convocation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
     Sixty Lutheran youth (ages 13-18) and 58 young adults (ages 19-30) responded to new initiatives for the church relayed by the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA.  The youth addressed the "Initiatives for a New Century" document and described what excited them about it, what concerned them, and how they saw ELCA youth and young adults living out the results of the initiatives.  One young speaker said, "We see ourselves on the bridge between youth and adulthood, and we need adult church leaders to meet us halfway."
     The high school youth responded to the initiatives with hope and enthusiasm.  They implored church leaders to move into the future valuing diverse forms of worship, using computer technology and the internet for new forms of evangelism, supporting youth in local and global mission projects and making congregations safe places for youth.
     Young people are willing to take on the responsibility of leading the church into the future.  They asked adult leaders to renew efforts to provide youth leadership training.
     The young adult participants began their presentation to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly by demonstrating their diversity, and also their unity. "We are single; we are in straight and gay committed relationships; we are college students; we are not in college; we are in the work force; we are living at home; we are living away from home; we are diverse; we are one."
     An empassioned young adult speaker related how lonely it is to live on the bridge between youth and adulthood.   She expressed the need for older church members to walk out on that bridge and be partners with young adults to move the church forward into the future.  Another spoke about the fact that young adults after high school graduation are "underserved by the church."
     The youth and young adult presentation began and ended with the soprano voice of Rebecca Lawrence, Chicago, newly elected president of the Lutheran Youth Organization of the ELCA singing, "I will do a new thing for you . . . "  She outlined the three key emphases for youth in the ELCA: 1) provide a place of safety and belonging; 2) provide a place of experience and exploration; and 3) help youth and young adults reach for and meet their potential.
     At the conclusion of their presentation, the assembly members affirmed the youth and young adults with a standing ovation.
     The youth and young adults were special guests of the ELCA assembly without  voice or vote.  The youth held their convocation at the Holiday Inn Independence Hall August 14-18, concurrently with the national ELCA Churchwide Assembly at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

For information contact:

Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html