The Journey to Adulthood (J2A)
is a complete youth ministry program of spiritual formation for 6th - 12th grades. J2A is available as a congregational or judicatory (diocese, synod, conference, etc.) membership. A diocesan membership allows the program or any of the extensive materials in J2A to be used by any or all of the congregations and institutions of the diocese (e.g., camps, conferences, etc.).

The diocesan membership fee is based on the number of congregations in the diocese and the length of the membership. During the initial three years the annual fee is $60 per congregation in the diocese; the annual fee drops to $40 for the fourth and subseqent years. This is simply a way to pro-rate the fee so larger diocses pay more than smaller dioceses. There is a minimum fee of $1700/yr.

A diocesan membership allows a diocese to provide the program to every congregation at a price you determine. We encourage you to charge something because people value what they pay for. Most dioceses offer the program at a significant discount to smaller congregations or those that are unable to pay the full membership fee while asking larger and/or wealthier congregations to pay the full fee they would have paid to LeaderResources. This allows the diocese to support small and medium-sized congregations while not subsidizing congregations that are able to pay the normal rate. Many dioceses find that at least half or more of their annual fee is covered by collecting fees from congregations using the materials. Some dioceses choose to include the entire annual fee for all churches in their diocesan youth ministry budget.

The other advantages to a diocesan membership:

• You can offer a coordinated youth ministry strategy
• You can to provide youth leaders with annual training and ongoing support
• You can use the materials in youth camps and conferences
• You can give congregations who don't want to use the full program a libary of resources they can draw from to develop or enhance their own program. Over 200 lesson plans, a pilgrimage guide, a mentor's manual, misson project guidelines and more give any size church a wealth of youth ministry resources. Plus, J2A congregations get a substantial discount on Sealed and Sent Forth, a two year confirmation program that shares some elements with J2A.

If you have congregations already using J2A, we credit the diocese with the months remaining on each congregation's membership, reducing the cost of the first year. You also can split the first year across two budget years (use year-end funds from one year and a month later pay the remainder out of the next year's budget). Call us at 800-941-2218 to talk about how a diocesan membership can support your youth ministry.

About the Journey to Adulthood Program

The Journey to Adulthood uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries a pilgrimage and both serious and playful activities in three age-groups:

Rite-13: The first two years (6th & 7th or 7th & 8th graders) that focus on celebrating the individuality of each young person and their creative potential. The Rite-13 liturgy (A celebration of Manhood and Womanhood) is the community expression of this and a rite of passage form childhood towards adulthood .

J2A: The middle portion of the program (8th & 9th or 9th and 10th graders), engages youth with the skills and critical thinking involved in adulthood. The youth plan and embark on a pilgrimage together at the end of this segment. This experience is often the spiritual highlight of their youth.

YAC: This is a mentor-based program that helps older teens (11th and 12th graders) discern and carry out a ministry within their church or in the larger community. Vocation and development of a personal credo are also emphasized. A final rite of passage sends them out into the world as ambassadors of Christ.

You can learn more about the program by clicking HERE.