Ministry to Young Adults

Watson A. Bowes, Jr., Johnson Intern Program Board Chair

The news about the 2003 Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church was dominated by the controversy over the selection of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay priest, as Bishop in the Diocese of New Hampshire. This overshadowed an important and impressive presence of young adults (ages 18-30) at the convention, who drew attention to the relative lack of interest by the Episcopal Church in this age group. Their witness was so effective that Resolution A065 was passed recommending that dioceses and congregations explore and develop "new internships and leadership development programs for 18-30 year-old members of our church." Furthermore, $333,333 was assigned in the budget to implement the resolution and support young adults' participation in these programs.

The 2003 general convention was not the first evidence that there is a crisis of sorts in ministry to young adults in the Episcopal Church. In 1995 a nationwide study of college freshmen by researchers from UCLA found that young adults were leaving the Episcopal Church in higher percentages than in any other Christian denomination. The problem is reflected in the demographics of the Episcopal Church: the average age of Episcopalians is about 55, while the average age of all people in the country is 34. Also, young adults are visibly absent from many aspects of church leadership, particularly among the clergy. In 1998, of over 17,000 Episcopal clergy just over 400 were under the age of 40. The National Church has recognized the importance of ministry to young adults, and is responding through its office of Young Adult and Higher Education Ministries.

Bishops Curry and Gloster recognize the importance of ministry to young adults in our diocese and acknowledge how few programs there are that address this need. Funding of campus ministry has declined in the diocese over the past 30 years, as it has throughout the Episcopal Church, wherein 200 full-time campus ministries have been closed or significantly reduced. This comes at a time when a survey of 3,680 students at 46 colleges and universities found that three quarters of the students polled stated that religion was helpful to them and that spiritual beliefs helped develop their identity. Over sixty percent of the students said that their professors never encouraged discussion of religious or spiritual issues.

At the Chapel of the Cross support for young adults includes campus ministry that has long been a high priority. For years one of the clergy, partially funded by the diocese, has served as chaplain to students on the UNC campus. Episcopal Campus Ministry (ECM) grew and thrived under Stephen Stanley's direction, and parish commitment to continued innovative ECM leadership was expressed in the rector's recent letter announcing Tammy Lee's appointment as the new campus minister. CrossTies is an organization of graduate students and young working adults, ages 21-35, single and married, who meet weekly for potluck dinners, Christian education, fellowship, and mutual enrichment. Several years ago students in ECM drew attention to the lack of ministry to young adults after college graduation. This, in part, led to the development and funding of the Johnson Intern Program, which is currently the only formal program in our Diocese for vocational discernment and spiritual formation for young adults.

With its location on the campus, the Chapel of the Cross is daily in the midst of young adults and has, therefore, a unique opportunity to provide for their spiritual needs. It is an opportunity we should not neglect.

In 1998, of over 17,000 Episcopal clergy just over 400 were under the age of 40. The National Church has recognized the importance of ministry to young adults, and is responding through its office of Young Adult and Higher Education Ministries.