Forming A Community for Young Adults

The Young Adult Commission met in February with a larger community in mind. Gathering young adult Disciples, at events and online, was a priority for the commission during its meeting at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.

"One of the tasks facing the YAC is how to help young adults develop in community. In our world that is very individual, this seems a daunting task for a group of 11 volunteers," said YAC member Diana Batzka. "We hope that we can take small steps and be a vehicle which can help young adults form community, within congregations, within regions, within the general ministries and with each other across the nation and the world."

A new offering for young adults is the "nonconference." Suggested by former Young Adult Committee member Nathan Hill, the nonconference would be a gathering with no preplanned theme, a loose schedule, and plenty of space for creativity. The programming would be created literally on the spot - participants would create their own workshops and organize worship. The structure would develop naturally through the course of the retreat. Likely be a two- or three-day event, a steering committee will work with a goal of holding the first nonconference in the fall.

The commission looked ahead at denominational events over the next two years. The commission plans to have representation at all three ethnic constituency gatherings at the International Christian Youth Fellowship (ICYF) meeting this coming summer.

Young adult involvement in the 2009 General Assembly in Indianapolis was also a key subject. Commission member Andy Holmer is already a member of the General Assembly planning group. Other aspects of General Assembly planning, such as workshops and worship, as well as special events specifically for young adults is already under way.

Thinking of the greater online community, the commission plans to relaunch www.docya.org, a web site started three years ago with young adults in mind.

Beyond young adults are other groups that the Young Adult Commission wants to engage in conversation, including local church pastors, the General Youth Council, campus ministers and chaplains, and regional and general church representatives.

The commission met Saturday morning with Associate General Minister and Vice President Todd Adams to get a larger view of how young adult ministries fits in with the changing needs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Adams suggested several ways young adults can be involved in denominational discussions as well as other ideas to develop more young adults for service on boards and advisory panels.

Current members of the Young Adult Commission are:

  • Diana Batzka of Nashville, Tenn. She will serve as the moderator through 2008.
  • Katie Griffin of Evansville, Ind.
  • Andy Holmer of Los Angeles
  • Jack Knox of Dallas
  • Esther Lee of Fort Worth, Texas
  • Mayon Marcelino of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
  • Candice Moore of Detroit
  • Eli Rolon of Hammond, Ind.
  • Tracye Stewart of Cleveland, Ohio
  • Beau Underwood of Chicago
  • Alison Williams of Bloomington, Ind. She had served as the moderator over the past two years.

Tod Isminger of Disciples Home Missions and Brad Lyons of Higher Education & Leadership Ministries serve as staff liaisons.