Worth a thousand words

I'd like to thank Reana Jenkins for stepping up and volunteering to be one of the official photographers for 20 Something Young Adult Ministry. Below you will see your young adult board feverishly working on ideas for our "20 Something Christmas Party"

If you have any talents our gifts that would benefit our group let us know.

(No hiding in the back of the class we need everyone.)

Why do young adults leave the church?

By JJ Brock


70 percent of 18- to 30-year-olds who attended a church for at least a year during high school stopped attending church during the crucial decision-making years following high school. That's according to a study just released by a Christian Resources of more than 1,000 young adults. Researchers found two major contributing factors behind this common church departure:

1. life changes
2. a lack of personal relationships in the church

While 30 percent of those who left the church said they made a conscious decision to leave after high school, the majority surveyed attributed their disassociation to either work responsibilities, moving away from their home church or moving on a college campus.

The survey found that the majority of young adults who remained in church between age 18 and 30 felt attending church was a vital part of their lives, as well as a helpful factor in their decision-making.

Relationships are often the glue that keep people in church or serve as the attraction to begin attending again following a period of absenteeism Many people are deeply influenced by friends and loved ones.

Young adults desire the same thing as any other demographic group relationship. Establish that crucial foundation while they're in high school and you're likelier to keep them in church. To remain in church, a person must have experienced the value of the teaching and relationships at church and see the relevance for the next phase of life.

I know this to be true because my son who is 24 stop going to church when he was 16. I got tired of fussing on Sunday morning about get up get dress.

He would set with the other youth and sleep. One day I looked around my old church and most of the young adult were gone. Our young adult choir became smaller and smaller. What do you think? Why do our young adults leave the church for a period of time and what can we do to keep them from leaving?

A 20 Something Christmas

Join us for a 20 Something Christmas.

20 Something Young Adult Ministry will be celebreting the birth of Christ on Saturday, December 15th 2007, at 6pm. There will be food and games.

The address is Crusade Christian Faith Center 801 S. La Brea, Inglewood, CA 90301.

The only admission requirement is that you love the Lord and that you come exactly as you are.(But we can't guarantee you will leave the same way you came)

Make you vote count

20 Somethings have been accused of being lazy, self centered, greedy, not involved, not engaged. Does this describe you? I did not think so. One way to make sure you are involved in the world you live in is to register to vote. The 2008 presidential campaign is well on the way. Make your vote count. Click the link below to get involved in your American political process.

Rock the vote

On another note here are the results of our own 20 Something Ballot

BIBLE STUDY TOPICS

Sexual Purity
12 votes

Drugs and Alcohol
11 votes

Music
15 votes

Money
14 votes

Dating
3 votes

Young Marriages
1 vote

Evangelism, Discipleship, Testimonies
3 votes

Anger Management
1 vote


FELLOWSHIPS AND OUTINGS

Sporting Event
12 votes

Bowling
16 votes

Musical/Play
10 votes

Skating
10 votes

Ski Trip
10 votes

Amusement Park
3 votes

Paint Ball
1 votes

Gamenight or Kareokee
2 votes

Fellowship w/ Seniors or Teens
1 vote

COMMUNITY SERVICE IDEAS

Feeding and Clothing Homeless
18 votes

Care packages to soilders
16 votes

Tutoring
8 votes

Mentoring
4 votes

Visiting Hospitals
1 votes

Cleaning Neighborhoods
1 vote

Visiting Juvenile Detention Centers
1 vote

Meditate-Out of Eden

During this busy Holiday Season make sure you make time to relax your mind and think of the goodness of Jesus.

40 Deep

20 Something Young Adult Ministry had there first meeting Sunday afternoon at Crusade Christian Faith Center. The event was geared to inspire unity between Christian young adults between the ages of 18-35. The meet and greet drew over 40 young people anxious to connect with other Christians. 20 Something Young Adult ministry is more than a social. (Although we do have a good time) It is an opportunity for young adults to use there gifts to serve the community and an gain a closer relationship with God.

We like to say a special thanks to our new guests Chris Reid, Cassandra, Tameika Rucker, Christine Guss,and Maurice Pressly. Sorry if I missed anybody...if so let me know.

The 20-Something Life: Your Question On Job Interviews Answered

Christine Hassler

I had a job interview today that I thought went really well. I am anxious to follow-up with the people I interviewed with and know I should send some kind of "thank you" note as well. What is the protocol for appropriate follow-up?

- Job Seeker, 23, Kansas City

Dear Job Seeker,

Congratulations on a great interview! In terms of follow-up, there are various schools of thought on protocol, but I'll give you a summary of what I have heard most from employers, as well as what I did that worked well back in my interviewing days.

First, never leave an interview without the business card of the interviewer so that you have their email address, mailing address and phone number. If they don't offer it, ask for one. I also encourage job seekers to create business cards of their own to exchange that includes your name, email and phone number. Keep it simple, sleek and professional.

In terms of follow-up and thank you notes here is what I suggest:

1. The day of the interview, send an email to the individual(s) you interviewed with thanking them for their time and for the opportunity. Keep it brief and professional. Include appropriate salutations, mention one thing from the interview to jog their memory of your interaction, and also indicate when you will be following up with them, I recommend one week from the interview. This is also an opportunity to answer or further address any question you felt you didn't cover well in the interview; the brilliance that occurred to you in the elevator ride down to your car after you left the office. Also, make sure when you send an email, that it displays your name when it appears in someone's in box - not an abbreviation or nickname. Send a test email to yourself and a friend to confirm this.

Here is an example of a follow-up email:


Subject line: Thank You for the Interview

Dear Mr. or Ms. X,

It was nice to meet you today and I am enthusiastic about being a candidate for xyz position and the opportunities you presented. I enjoyed discussing my love of xyz with you and learning about xyz regarding your company. (If applicable:) I gave some additional thought the question you presented to me about xyz and (insert response here). Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to following up with you on Monday.

Sincerely,

Job Seeker


2. Send a hand-written "Thank You" note on nice stationary or buy a very simple card (no butterflies, poems, or flowers please). In this note, again thank them for the opportunity and their time. Keep it short and sweet. If there is something more personal you discussed in the interview, like a shared hobby or a future trip they are taking, this is a good place to reflect upon that.

3. If you do not hear back from the potential employer, call them on the day you noted you would follow-up. I recommend NOT calling first thing in the morning, right after lunch, or at the end of the day as these are times people tend to be busier. When you call, re-introduce yourself, remind them of when you interviewed and for what position. Ask them if they have made a selection, and if not, when they plan too. Again, keep it short and thank them for their time.

And one more thing, I hear many twenty-somethings be very self-critical after an interview so it is refreshing to hear that you feel good about it. Even if you don't get the job, I encourage you to leave interviews with a positive intention. You are doing the right thing by proactively following up. Now go start writing your emails and thank-you notes!

- Christine

Please send me your questions by posting them in the comments section below. You can also email me at christine@huffingtonpost.com

TIDBIT

I am often asked what type of questions one should ask when presented with the question, "Do you have any questions for me?" during an interview. Whatever you do, don't say you don't have any!

Here a list of topics to put into your interviewing back pocket. Use these to get your juices flowing and make sure to tailor your questions to fit the moment and specific job you are interviewing for.

1. Questions about their professional background: How long have you worked here? What was your first job? Did you always know you wanted to go into this field? What do you enjoy the most about this field/your job?

2. Questions about the company that shows you've done some research and that you are interested in learning more: I read on line that this organization supports xyz charity or organization, can you tell me more about this? Are there weekly staff meetings? How involved is the CEO or owner in the daily operations?

3. Questions about the company culture and benefits: What kind of hours do people work? How many people work for the company? How long do people usually stay with the company? Is there a 401K program? Health benefits?

4. Questions about the position: What do you think is the most important skill required to excel at this position? Do you think there is a large learning curve to this position? What is the training protocol?

Remember, when interviewing, it's key to be confident without being arrogant or demanding. The more prepared you are, the more calm you will be. Be sure to really listen and stay 100% present. As soon as your mind starts wandering to the next question or ahead to questions you may have, you are going to loose your stride. Practice your interviewing skills with a trusted advisor, mentor or interviewing service. Don't go in cold turkey

20 Something Meet and Greet -Sunday November 18th 2007

You are invited to meet other Young Adults at a 20 Something Meet and Greet this Sunday, November 18th 2007. Come and give your input about fellowship ideas, Bible Study topics and more. Lunch will be served!

I'm a young adult. Now what?

Life unfolds in Phases. There is a phase when you are young, there is a phase when you are middle aged. There is a phase when you are old and a phase when you are very old. No one can prevent traveling through such phases, but you can determine, in partnership with God, what you do with each phase of your life.

When you are young, you are able to do as you like and go wherever you want; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and others will direct you and take you where they want you to go. (John 21:18 TLB)

Now that you are young, you can decide how you will live your life. Young people should be ready to live their lives positively.

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.

Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity. (Eccl 11:9-10 NKJ)

SMB O'Johnson

New Beginning

20 Something Young Adult Ministry announced it's rebirth today. After a short video promotion Virgil Patterson Jr.invited everyone 18-35 to sign on for an opportunity to fellowship, evangelize, serve and grow.

Thirty-Six young people signed up to receive more informaiton about the ministry. Virgil also announced a meet and greet that will occur on Sunday, November 18th after service. (Yes food will be prepared.) So mark your calendars.

Here are a few pics below.

Lights, Camera, Action

20 Something is poised to announce it's rebirth this Sunday November 4th with a short mulitmedia promo. Virgil D. Pattersion Jr. will be our pitch man. Thank you to our own in-house producer, Warres Carey of Halal Producations. Here is a sneak preview.