Two local Christian churches will use matching grants from the Indianapolis-based Center For Congregations to find ways to engage young people.
First Presbyterian Church, using a grant of slightly more than $29,000, has organized a series of interactive public meetings on topics of social justice and spirituality beginning with an overview slated at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 13. And Ogilville Christian Church will use $7,500 to meet with young adults over several months to determine their focus and interests.
Both churches will match those grant amounts with their own funds, according to leaders.
“We understand that young adults are something of a missing generation for a lot of churches,” said Zech Riggs, Ogilville’s education minister. At age 29, he considers himself part of the church’s young adults.
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The Rev. Martin Wright, the church’s pastor, mentioned a few years ago that the church regularly was attracting young adults as new attendees.
So Ogilville leaders’ time and money will be spent on finding ways to mature them at leaders. In fact, in October, church leadership hopes to take a number of young adults to a Christian leadership conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
“We already know we’re reaching some of the young adults,” Riggs said. “So now we’re looking at how we can come alongside them, and disciple them and help them grow.”
First Presbyterian’s planned meetings, featuring a range of guest speakers, are titled “Be: An Event Series,” scheduled at the church at 512 Seventh St. in downtown Columbus. A light lunch and child care will be provided at the free, overview meeting. Church leaders formed a committee that includes young adults to highlight topics of activism and social justice to connect with young people.
The Rev. Felipe Martinez, First Presbyterian pastor, said he is excited about creating a stronger sense of community among young adults and other age groups.
“We want to be attentive to things that resonate with young adults,” Martinez said. “And we are grateful there is a way in which our years-long focus on social justice resonates with them. The overall beauty of this is not only are we reaching out to younger people, but the series is a continuing part of who we already are as a congregation.”
First Presbyterian, led in the 1960s by the Rev. William R. Laws, became a staunch proponent and leader in civil rights, fair housing, anti-discrimination and related issues. Since then, church leadership has been vocal about rights of the LGBTQ population, and also a strong voice on immigration and migrant issues. Martinez himself, a U.S. citizen, is a native of Mexico.
Topics to be addressed in the series beginning Jan. 26 and ending April 25, 2020, include racial and economic justice, climate change, art in spirituality and others (see box). First Presbyterian organizers emphasized that people of all ages are welcome to attend both the “Be: An Event Series” kickoff and programs.
“The success of this is in the very idea of trying it,” Martinez said. “And the success of this is in learning from it.”
That’s because the churches will report their findings, insights and other information to the Center For Congregations, which follows such topics and then compiles information as a resource for others.
“We’re not so much interested in the numbers attracted,” Martinez said.
First Presbyterian member Leah Jackman-Wheitner, among the leaders of the initiative, mentioned that the series can build a stronger sense of congregational unity.
“Right now, I think there is a hunger for people to connect with others around the same things they all care about,” Jackman-Wheitner said. “And one small measure of success can be in asking the question: Are people feeling more connected? And do they feel there’s a place to talk about and explore topics that really matter to them?”
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All presentations are open to all, and are scheduled at First Presbyterian Church, 512 Seventh St. in downtown Columbus.
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 13: Overview meeting about the series.
- Jan. 26: Mads Benishek on the transformational power of story to create home.
Information: nextchurch.net/letting-anxiety-go/
- April 13: Shannon Craigo-Snell on the relationship of justice and ally-ship.
Information: shannoncraigo-snell.com/
- June 8: DeAmon Harges on recognizing each other’s gifts and strengths.
Information: thelearningtrees.com/staff-profiles/
- Sept 21: Abby Mohaupt on climate change and creativity through art and movement.
Information: nextchurch.net/healing-planet
- Jan. 11, 2020: Shawna Bowman on the power of art in spirituality.
Information: nextchurch.net/telling-stories-that-matter/
- April 25, 2020: Denise Anderson on racial and economic justice.
Information: presbyterianmission.org/story/former-co-moderator-denise-anderson-joins-presbyterian-mission-agency/
General information: fpccolumbus.org
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