Our Mission with Young Adults

For the last few years, KUMC has been growing; especially in our young adult population.  The result is a unique, intergenerational community that we believe is a sign of what the church is meant to be.  Although we recognize that many of the young people might not be part of our community for very long (young adults are often transient; finishing school, finding jobs across the country, etc.), we have an opportunity to be in ministry with them while they are here.  As such, we are committing as a congregation to equip and train these young people while they are with us for ministry wherever they go.  We believe that this is in keeping with our broader mission to “feed more sheep.”

In an effort to formalize this commitment, in the spring of 2011 the leadership of the church crafted a “Missional Proposal,” that includes a five-year vision for how we might train young adults for God’s mission and their calling in ways that encourage meaning, belonging, and radical hospitality. It is not set in stone, nor will it be followed like a map, but it does help us to dream together about what we might do to create a community that prepares young adults to be leaders in the church.  This ambitious proposal calls for KUMC to start several new ministries, including:

• Forming new small groups that would encourage intergenerational discipleship and foster community
• Partnering with local non-profit organizations like Urban Promise
• Hiring a part-time staff person who would focus on our mission with young adults
• Creating an intentional community of young adults from around the conference, who, supported by the church, would live together and work in ministry with one another.

One of the suggested elements of the proposal that has already been implemented is the creation of an intergenerational “Vision team.”  This team is made up of eight to ten members and is charged with shepherding the vision and mission of KUMC. Its first task has been to prioritize the first year’s goals of this missional proposal, and it is working to ensure that the entire congregation gets involved in its mission.

TO VIEW THE PROPOSAL, CLICK HERE.

Also, every first Sunday of the month, members of the vision team will be available after worship to hear your ideas for KUMC’s mission and vision.  If you have ideas now that you would like to share now, please include them in the form below: