TAMPA, Fla.--"Come to the Feast" drew about 170 people to Tampa, Fla. this spring, to find creative and relevant ways to develop young adult ministries in the local church, according to a news release from the National Council of Churches.

"One of the biggest reasons people ‘come to the feast' is that it fills a void that they see in their churches," said the Rev. Garland Pierce, NCC Associate Director for Education and Leadership Ministries.

"It also equips leaders and churches to minister to and with young adults and at the same time provides an opportunity for leadership development, fellowship and networking for young adults who are already present in the churches," he said.

Campus ministers, lay leaders of young adult ministry, denominational staff, pastors and others attended workshops such as "Popcorn Theology," "Theology on Tap," "The Trouble with Faith and Feminism," "Tools for Faithful Discussion of Difficult Issues," "Brady Bunch Ministry" and "Keep It Simply Spiritual." Then they put what they had learned to the test by ministering to young adults from all over North America who gathered at the event.

The Rev. Douglas Fenton, staff officer of Young Adult and Higher Education Ministry for The Episcopal Church, along with Bill Crenshaw, director of Young Adult Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church, introduced the dual learning and practicing model for the event.

"The model definitely worked," said the Rev. Pierce. "We heard from a number of participants and leaders who said it was a renewing experience, and they left energized to do young adult ministry. Someone used the word ‘transformative' to describe the experience. So much of the leadership and the creativity came from the young adults themselves," Pierce said. "It was really exciting to see the energy of part one conveyed to part two."

In one session about faith expressions for young adults, Kara Lassen-Oliver, who participated in the "Expressing Faith" track, said, "People need a way into the church so that they feel comfortable. There is a big gap for young adults in the church and we're here to get something started."

Lassen-Oliver, who is a United Methodist from Nashville, Tenn., recommended that churches find ways to involve young adults in the worship experience, so they are active rather than passive worshipers.

She recommended simple actions that could make a difference, like placing a flower on the altar whenever a baby is born or having worship services dedicated to young adults.

She also suggested establishing a core team for prayer to undergird efforts to attract young adults to a congregation.

Karen Cramer, a young Episcopalian from Salt Lake City, Utah, who participated in both parts of the event, said, "I was a little skeptical at first. I wasn't sure how it would work but it all came together and it was great!

"It was extremely helpful and energizing," she said. "I have plenty of new ideas to take back to my home church." Cramer was one of the organizers and facilitators of the "Popcorn Theology" workshop.