Over the last 8 years, I have worked with college-aged young adults both in the church and on campus. Over that time, I have seen many articles on how to reach those in that stage of life, and how to engage them through the congregation’s ministry.

Also, during that time, I have noticed another group of young adults that are generally overlooked when it comes to congregational ministry. These are the young adults who, for better or worse, are likely already in your congregation. In many instances, they are plugged in to multiple ministries and are often the “behind the scenes” folks that keep things running. These “other” young adults are those that the local congregation love to have, but often overlook. I am, of course, talking about those in their mid-20s to mid-30s.

These young adults generally have careers. Many are married, though not all. Some have children but, again, not all. Many congregations would claim the existence of a great ministry to these young adults through Sunday School and children/youth ministries. They view outreach to those in this generation as making sure there is a great program for the kids that they may bring with them. Beyond this, expectations are that they will also be the ones to staff those spaces on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, and on week-long summer programs. While these are worthwhile goals for these folks, what about them, as individual people of faith?

Over the last few years, my wife and I have adjusted to being a part of this group. We are both in our 30s and have a son. In every church we’ve visited since I took a position outside of congregation ministry, the youth program has been immediately offered as the reason we would want to plug-in to the church. In almost every case, a ministry for us apart from our status as parents has been overlooked or we’ve had to ask what is there. In many cases, even church websites overlooked our age group as a people, leaving us to wonder whether we were expected to plug-in as youth volunteers or just join a Sunday School class (many times with folks 10 years older than us).

As our congregations move forward, I wonder if, in our desire to engage college-aged young adults, we need also turn our focus toward those already out of college. Many in this generation have the energy, hopefulness, and vision to bring our congregations into the future that they will lead for decades to come. They also have deeply thought out questions about faith, life, and the future of the Church. As local congregations, we need to be exploring how we can bring these young adult leaders into our deacon boards, our ministry teams and, yes, onto our church staffs.

Beyond this, we also need to be asking ourselves how we are providing space for them as individuals within our congregation. Do they have a space to be together, without it being related to their kids (with childcare provided for those that need it)? Do they have places where they can learn, engage, and grow in faith together, as people in a similar place in life? Do our websites do an adequate job letting them know that they have a space in congregational life that exists apart from those that focus on any kids they may have or their current relationship status?

As we move forward seeking where God is calling us, college-aged young adults are an important part of this. Yet, if we ignore the generations that come right after–– regulating them to the youth rooms or children’s hallways–– we miss the opportunity to engage a population that is ready and willing to lead.

As we move forward into a new year, let’s do a better job of letting the “other” young adults in our congregations know that we see them, where they are. Let’s let them know that they have a place to grow as individuals–– wherever they are in life. Let’s listen to their ideas and visions and put them in a place of leadership that gives them room to make them happen.