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CLEVELAND, Ohio–During a joint session of the 48th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress and the 2026 National Young Adult League (YAL) Conference on July 2, National YAL leaders brought together clergy, lay leaders, and young adults for a collaborative discussion on strengthening parish young adult ministry while unveiling the newly revised Parish Ministry Young Adult League Guidelines, the first comprehensive update to the resource in more than twenty years.
The session, ”Building Stronger Young Adult Ministries,” was led by John Panos, Chair of the 2026 National YAL Conference, and Lenie Tsakonas, National Chair of the National YAL Board, and moderated by Eva Konstantakos, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM) for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Designed as both a practical workshop and a listening session, the program invited clergy, parish leaders, and young adults to engage in meaningful dialogue surrounding the realities of young adult ministry in their local communities. Participants shared parish-specific successes, challenges, and best practices while exploring practical strategies for cultivating thriving YAL ministries rooted in authentic relationships, communication, and parish engagement.
Throughout the discussion, panelists emphasized that effective young adult ministry begins with listening. They encouraged parish leaders to intentionally seek out the voices of young adults, foster meaningful opportunities for connection, and create parish communities where young adults are welcomed, included, and empowered to participate fully in the life of the Church.
“The future of young adult ministry is not about creating another program, it’s about building genuine relationships and helping young adults discover that they belong in the life of the Church,” said Tsakonas. “When we take the time to listen, communicate intentionally, and invite young adults into meaningful service and fellowship, we create communities where faith can truly flourish. Our hope is that every parish leaves knowing they have both the responsibility and the opportunity to invest in the next generation.”
A highlight of the session was the presentation of the newly revised Parish Ministry Young Adult League Guidelines, which were distributed digitally to attendees as a practical resource for strengthening local YAL ministries. The guidelines were thoughtfully revised through the collaborative efforts of the National YAL Board, along with Archdiocesan Clergy and Lay Leadership, to better reflect the needs of today’s young adults and the realities of contemporary parish ministry.
The updated guidelines provide practical recommendations for establishing and sustaining parish YAL ministries, fostering meaningful engagement, strengthening communication, and creating pathways for young adults to become active participants in the life of the Church. The resource is now available to clergy and parish leaders across the Archdiocese through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website, extending the impact of the session well beyond the Congress.
The conversation remained highly interactive, with participants contributing thoughtful perspectives from across the Archdiocese. Following the panel discussion, a robust question-and-answer session addressed topics including parish communication, leadership development, volunteer engagement, welcoming newcomers, and creating intentional pathways for young adults to become active participants in parish life.
The joint session also highlighted the value of bringing together the Clergy-Laity Congress and National YAL Conference communities. Young adults welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with clergy and lay leaders in a shared conversation about the future of parish life, while participants across generations reflected on the importance of fostering stronger relationships, open communication, and mutual collaboration.
As the National YAL Board continues its work of supporting young adult ministry across the Archdiocese, sessions such as these and the development of practical resources like the revised Parish Ministry Young Adult League Guidelines reflect the Board’s ongoing commitment to equipping parishes, listening to the needs of young adults, and strengthening Orthodox Christian community for generations to come.
For more information about the young adult ministry efforts of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, please email yal@goarch.org or y2am@goarch.org.
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