Code it Under Youth Ministry

The realization came as I was taking time to work through some admin tasks for my work week, eating my vegetables, so to speak. Desk work is every minister’s favorite pastime, right? I was going through my youth ministry expenses and marking  whether they were for middle school, high school, or something else entirely. That’s when it hit me: our parish probably had the largest young adult ministry budget in the diocese and it was all because of one detail..

A couple of years ago, our parish agreed to be the host site for an area-wide young adult retreat. That meant the entire retreat budget ran through our church’s books. The retreat welcomes about 150 participants each year, and while registration fees cover all expenses, the total still shows up in our parish ledger. More importantly, it shows up under “Young Adult Ministry.”

Common Practice

I am sure that if we had a census across parishes in most Dioceses, we would be confronted with a statistical reality. We continue to desire a younger adult congregation, but we do not budget the financial resources for that desire. Often times, an expense for the young adult ministry is either participant funded or listed under youth ministry. In this way, we are setting up young adult ministry to be reactive rather than proactive. We don’t plan for it to need money which in turn might even be a nonverbal sign that we don’t plan for it to be successful.

This isn’t a finger-pointing exercise. Pastors and parish staff are juggling more plates than ever, sacramental prep, aging infrastructure, rapid inflation, declining offertory... it’s a lot. There’s deep love and sincere desire behind every budget conversation. But sometimes, good intentions don’t always make it onto paper.

And that’s where we miss an opportunity.

Youth Ministry ≠ Young Adult Ministry

Young adults are in a very different place than high schoolers. They’re figuring out how to build a life. They are working their first professional job, paying rent, building relationships, asking big questions about identity, purpose, and faith. And unlike teens, there’s no built-in structure like school or Confirmation class to keep them connected to the Church. If we don’t intentionally create space for them, they can easily drift, not out of rebellion, but out of sheer invisibility.

When the spreadsheet combines young adults with youth ministry, it can unintentionally send the message that we’re not quite sure what to do with them. And while the Church absolutely welcomes people of all ages, different seasons of life deserve tailored accompaniment. A 16-year-old and a 29-year-old will need separate plans and parishes should plan for separate expenses.

What the Budget Says (Without Saying It)

Budgets are more than spreadsheets. They show what we believe is worth investing in. So when young adult ministry isn’t on the ledger, even if the desire is there, it can feel like a closed door.

This isn’t about throwing huge amounts of money without a vision. It’s about making sure our priorities are reflected in our planning. A modest budget for hospitality, some resources, a retreat stipend, a part-time ministry lead, or even just funds to pick up a new person’s coffee; it all goes a long way. It shows young adults they’re seen, wanted, and worth our time.

People Respond to Investment

Something beautiful happens when a parish sets aside even a little treasure for young adults: they start showing up with their time and talent. They bring music, media, energy, and questions that breathe life into the community. Over time, we discovered something surprising at the parish I worked at: young adults tithe …and generously. Every so often, our office admin would find me to read off a list of names that had given through Venmo but not registered. Almost every single one of them were active young adults in our Sunday coffee shop crew. It’s a long game, but investment builds trust. And trust builds community.

If you’re a pastor or parish leader reading this, consider this not a critique, but a nudge. You’re already doing so much. But maybe, just maybe, young adult ministry deserves a line on next year’s budget. Not because it’s trendy or urgent but because it’s a sign of hope.