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Today we examined more models for organizational development. Models of power, models for decision making, marketing models and models for change. Each presents its own insight and each has its own limits. One I found particularly revealing today for me at least was a model for change. It's algebraic, simple, and text friendly so I'd like to throw it out there and see what use we can make of it. Here's the model:

C = D x V x F > R          Simple, no?

Change = Dissatisfaction x Vision x First Steps > Resistance

or in text:
Change becomes possible when dissatisfaction with the current situation, vision for an alternative future, and clear first steps for realizing that future are able to outweigh the resistance to change. The multiplication marks are meant to signify that when any of the three factors are non-existent (zero), change is not possible.

Where do we as a body fall in this model around our desire to welcome and incorporate young adults? It is my feeling that for the most part we fall short on all accounts. Not only are we largely complacent (though how much longer that will last, who's to say) but we lack a vision any clearer than, "We desire age diversity," and we're in the dark as to what to do about it. The resistance, on the other hand, is well stocked.

What is the dissatisfaction that we need to build upon? Or more positively spun, what is the need that we have the calling to address? The vision bit falls neatly in line, asking what capacity do we have to address that need? What might our answer look like? And of course, the steps to instituting that answer will only follow from there.

I had the opportunity to sit down yesterday with two parishes from the Diocese of Spokane to talk about possible ventures into campus ministry. Though we spoke at different times during the day, entirely unconnected, both voiced a desire to reach out to the community colleges to which they are adjacent. In both cases, the rectors expressed a desire to attract "young people."At another point today another parish expressed the desire to attract "people of color." On both occasions I found myself somewhat perplexed. What did any of these folks mean? And why did they think they wanted to do this?

We often think we know what we mean when we say we want young adults. It's a trendy thing to say, but what does it mean in a specific context? Just as the "beauty of holiness" may describe the liturgy of a tradition, but cannot tell me where in the procession the parish banner follows at St. Swithin's in Forks (where the vampires go to church), so outreach to young adults tells us very little about who we hope will walk through our doors.

The community college question is a big one at the moment, as we begin to broaden our demographic focus and reach out to those young adults to whom we have the most to offer. Community colleges are extremely complex institutions and even more complex communities. They do not house a stable, residential, affluent, student body, who, by and large, will remain for four years. Instead they house commuters, international students, high school over-achievers :P, young parents, and "non-traditional" (read: older) students. The needs of these populations are neither uniform nor straightforward, but they are great. These are folks who are often making very clear vocational choices in their coursework. What role might we have in walking with them to lend a spiritual and wholistic dimension to their vocational discernment?

In further conversation with one parish we discovered the community college had a strong nursing program and one parishoner had a connection with the head of the department. Many young single mothers participated in the program. In addition, the parish's membership had a large number of healthcare professionals and a good number of women. Perhaps the opportunity existed for a community of mentors to support these young women as guides and positive role models?

At the other parish we discussed the need for a safe space for young adults to land as they transitioned through the school. They might not become members in the two years, but there was no reason they should not feel welcome and perhaps have a transformational experience on their way through.

There are no clear models for this type of ministry, but the possibilities grow in clarity when we define the vision more narrowly. Once a vision is beginning to emerge, as negative as it sounds, we must be active in sowing the seeds of dissatisfaction. Christ came to bring a sword, to unsettle us by asking us to look his suffering, the suffering of the world, in the eyes. Who are the specific young adults we seek to serve? Looking in their very specific two eyes, what brokenness do we see and find the call to address? I invite you to share with us and one another the specificity of your ministries. What young adults are you ministering to? What young adults are you hoping to minister to? What is the dissatisfaction that drives us?