Correcting myth No. 2
Cast a vision and help
shape our passions.
Giving to ‘keep the lights on’ is uninspiring,
but supporting a ministry that feeds the hungry, heals the sick and
welcomes the stranger (due in part to the gift of electricity)
helps shape reasons and excitement for giving.
the power of money in their lives and the power of God.” When we do talk about money—
and we must—church leaders should seek ways in which they can be vulnerable. Studies show that pastors carry plenty of debt them- selves. “I did the fi rst sermon series on money, in part, because my wife and I needed it,” Meyer said. When pastors honestly admit
they struggle with money them- selves, this openness helps build trust with young adults.
Myth No. 2 To engage
young adults, fi nd an area of passion and expand from there.
When I was leading a faith com- munity made up largely of young adults, I was oſt en asked to give presentations about this age group to the greater church. When asked how we convinced them to show up for our events, I oſt en spoke of “passion.” I’d explain that our faith com-
munity’s popularity had to do with fi nding an area of passion and building on it further. For example, if a young adult had a passion for animals, we’d organize an event volunteering at an animal shelter. Many folks had a passion for deep conversations and good beer, so our pub theology ministry took off . While there’s a certain wisdom
to this approach, when it comes to ministry and money, it’s not enough. A pastor shared this at a recent seminary conference: “When it comes to money, I’m less interested in engaging passions than shaping passions.” Bingo.
18
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At the same event at which this wise pastor sparked my change of perspective, a speaker from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving addressed the topic of young adults and giving. David King explained that many young people actually read ministries’ mission and vision statements. “Young people care about what
you stand for,” he told the leaders at the gathering. “And they oſt en think, ‘I want to give to a place where I’ve seen the mission in action.’ ” T e church has an opportunity
to help shape the giving patterns of our young adult members. But what congregations do, and where our money goes, isn’t always apparent. Pomroy suggests peeling back the
veil of congregations’ budgets. For example, giving to “keep the lights on” is uninspiring. Aſt er all, few of us have a passion for electricity. But supporting a ministry that feeds the hungry, heals the sick and welcomes the stranger (due in part to the giſt of electricity) helps shape reasons and excitement for giving. King also described a paradigm
shiſt in the church from members approaching giving as a fi nancial contribution to viewing it as creat- ing change. Young adults, and all of us for that matter, can grow into mature givers when we’re invited to help create positive change in the world.
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