Young adults, between ages 17 and 30, are significantly under-represented – if not absent – in many Anglican congregations. That is a troubling fact; particularly given the greying of the Anglican Church. In the past, we – collectively – have put that down to youthful rebellion, confident that when our sons and daughters had children themselves they would return to church and raise their children in it. Indeed, that was the case in my generation – I am an early boomer – but we did not return in sufficient numbers to stem the decline. In fact, years of absence from church became comfortable; and many that did have a church background growing up decided to let their children decide for themselves when they became adults. Unfortunately, without experience of Church some of those children have opted for non-Christian spiritual paths; and, as we have seen from the 2011 Census, many more – almost 25% of our population – have opted for no spiritual path at all.
( http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2013/05/religion-in-canada-the-new-numbers)
The ages 17 to 30 are formative and crucial; particularly since this is the stage of life where human beings are at their most impressionable and idealistic. At this time young adults are dealing with “big issues”; looking for meaning, figuring out who they are, and what they want to do with their lives. It is also a time when they can feel overwhelmed by it all, and become despondent if things are not working out, if they are having difficulty in school, cannot find meaningful or sometimes any work, and have relationship issues. At such times, when young adults are, perhaps, most in need of mentoring and support the church is absent from their lives; often leaving them to fend for themselves.
In part this is due to our parish-centric organization.
At the University of Toronto, for example, there are approximately 58,000 students, mostly between the ages of 17 and 30 – a not inconsiderable city within a city. Yet, the university is not well-served by the Anglican Church. The Chaplains at Trinity College and Wycliffe are, quite properly, focused on students enrolled there. Anglicans in the 21 other Colleges, Schools and Faculties on the St George Campus receive little attention. Moreover there is not much outreach to non-Anglican students. There is no Anglican Chaplaincy to the broader campus. The three parishes surrounding the campus do some work with university students, but it is not their priority. Certainly they do not see themselves as ministering to the broader campus. Perhaps this is because they see students as a cost, rather than as an asset. Burdened by the cost of their education, students do not generally contribute much on the collection plate; whereas reaching them, and providing resources for them, would require spending money the parish needs for other purposes. Moreover, students are seen as a transitory group. Once they graduate, they are likely to leave. It is easy to conclude, therefore, that it does not pay to invest much in seeking to attract them.
That conclusion, however, is not entirely accurate. Approximately 70 % of those from outside the GTA who attend higher education in Toronto stay in the GTA after graduation. Not to invest the time with them in their formative years may result in not having the opportunity to attract them when they do start to earn, and have families.
Since parishes are not prepared to undertake much work with students, one wishes that the Diocese would do so. Unfortunately such work is not a high priority. Diocesan assisted work with young people is largely focused on Middle and High School students.
By working with University students, at perhaps the most impressionable and formative part of their lives, we could develop relationships that could turn into enduring ones; thereby benefitting Anglican parishes in Toronto, and indeed across Canada. The Church can be gradually revitalized as they embark on their careers. However such work needs to be staffed and funded “off balance sheet” – that is, without Diocesan or Parish assistance – if it is to have any real chance of success. It is a project that is perhaps best accomplished by a group of people with a heart and vision for such work, and who are prepared to do it on their own as an “apostolate” or mission project – much like the Taizé movement was developed. The New Monasticism can provide the structure and support for such work.
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