Exciting Updates from The Project F-M

EaND — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:50:00 +0000

It’s difficult to speak in generalities about any age group, but that’s especially true when it comes to young adults. So from its inception, the leaders of The Project F-M grew their new ministry by speaking with, learning from, and carefully listening to folks in their 20s and 30s. The Project F-M was never intended to be a ministry that “guessed” what 20/30-somethings valued; instead we formed our ministry as we got to know actual young adults and could call them by name. After much listening, we’ve narrowed our focus and begun a new phase in our development.

Sociologists these days sometimes talk of a new life phase that’s materialized quite recently: emerging adulthood. Also called, an “extended adolescence,” many folks in their 20s and 30s just seem to be taking their time growing up. You know the type— young adults who marry later, are employed less consistently, are less likely to own a home, carry more student loans, have fewer children, move more often, and are less likely to attend church than previous generations. The leaders of The Project F-M have decided it’s their mission to connect with these folks.

Established congregations can have thriving ministries with young adults and young families but still struggle to connect with, say, that 28 year-old who just moved to town, rents an apartment with five guys, works nights, and plans to move to Minneapolis in 12 months.

The Project F-M has begun living into a vision not about starting new congregations as we usually conceive them, but rather establishing a shared ministry of the whole church for these emerging adults. Think of it as a university campus ministry grown up a few years.

Our new mission statement reads we’re about, “Making space for 20/30- somethings to love God and neighbor by cultivating an open-minded, curious faith.” So far, we’ve done that through a popular bi-weekly Theology Pub that meets at a local bar, a book group, a monthly creative worship experience called HolyCity, service opportunities, and more.

In the next few months, our Director/Mission Developer, Pastor Adam Copeland, will help lead a fundraising campaign, expand the Board, and of course, continue to connect with 20/30-somethings. He’s always up for a chat, whether on Facebook or in-person.

Post from: The Eastern North Dakota Synod

Exciting Updates from The Project F-M

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Exciting Updates from The Project F-M

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