Growing Young

1. Churches must embrace six core commitments to engage young people effectively

Churches that grow young are eschewing behavior-based gospels like MTD and the Golden Rule by making three key shifts in how they describe the message of Jesus.

The Growing Young Wheel. Churches that effectively engage 15- to 29-year-olds share six core commitments:

• Unlock keychain leadership
• Empathize with today's young people
• Take Jesus' message seriously
• Fuel a warm community
• Prioritize young people (and families) everywhere
• Be the best neighbors

These commitments work together to create a church culture that attracts and retains young people while helping them develop a vibrant faith. Rather than relying on flashy programs or a single charismatic leader, churches growing young focus on building authentic relationships and creating meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in all aspects of church life.

2. Unlock keychain leadership by empowering young people with responsibilities

Keychain leaders model a posture of giving away access and authority. This posture not only empowers others but also meaningfully links them to the life of the congregation.

Sharing power and responsibility. Keychain leadership involves:

• Being aware of the "keys" (capabilities, power, and access) leaders possess
• Intentionally entrusting young people with responsibilities
• Allowing young people to contribute meaningfully to church life

Effective keychain leaders are:

• Mature (not necessarily young themselves)
• Authentic and transparent
• Warm and relational
• Attentive to what matters to people
• Focused on empowering others rather than hoarding control
• Patient and committed to long-term development

By sharing leadership, churches create opportunities for young people to develop their gifts and feel valued as essential members of the community.

3. Empathize with today's young people to understand their unique challenges

Young people wrestle with three ultimate questions: Who am I? (a question of identity), Where do I fit? (a question of belonging), and What difference do I make? (a question of purpose).

Understanding extended adolescence. Today's young people face unique challenges:

• Extended adolescence (25 is the new 15, and 15 is the new 25)
• Delayed traditional markers of adulthood (marriage, career, financial independence)
• Increased stress and pressure
• Digital technology's impact on relationships
• Struggles with identity, belonging, and purpose

Churches that grow young take time to listen and understand these challenges. They create space for young people to explore their questions and doubts, offer support during transitions, and provide guidance in navigating complex cultural issues. By empathizing, churches can better address the real needs of young people and offer relevant support and teaching.

4. Take Jesus' message seriously by focusing on his life and teachings

Churches growing young are eschewing behavior-based gospels like MTD and the Golden Rule by making three key shifts in how they describe the message of Jesus.

Refocusing on Jesus. Churches growing young make three key shifts:

1. Less talk about abstract beliefs, more focus on Jesus
2. Less emphasis on formulas, more on the redemptive narrative
3. Less about future heaven, more about life here and now

These churches help young people:

• Connect with Jesus as a person and model for life
• Understand their place in God's larger story
• Apply faith to real-world issues and everyday decisions
• Embrace challenge and sacrifice as part of discipleship

By taking Jesus' message seriously, churches offer young people a compelling vision of faith that goes beyond moralism or feel-good spirituality, addressing their deep longing for meaning and purpose.

5. Fuel a warm community that feels like family to young people

When young people in your church and community know they are needed and invited into participation just like everyone else, they sense that they play a load-bearing role in the congregation.

Creating authentic community. Warmth in churches is characterized by:

• Welcoming and accepting atmosphere
• Intergenerational relationships
• Opportunities for meaningful participation
• Space for authenticity and vulnerability

Strategies for fueling warmth:

• Prioritize relationships over programs
• Create opportunities for intergenerational connection
• Involve young people in leadership and decision-making
• Foster a culture of honesty and grace

Young people are drawn to churches where they feel known, valued, and included as full members of the community. This sense of belonging often matters more to them than polished programs or contemporary worship styles.

6. Prioritize young people and families in all aspects of church life

Churches growing young provide this vocational guidance by helping teenagers and emerging adults locate themselves and their work in light of a grand narrative.

Integrating young people everywhere. Prioritization involves:

• Allocating resources (budget, staff, facilities) to youth and family ministries
• Including young people in church leadership and decision-making
• Adapting church culture to be more welcoming to young people
• Supporting and partnering with parents in faith formation

Strategies for prioritization:

• Involve young people in worship leadership and planning
• Create mentoring relationships between generations
• Offer support for young families and single young adults
• Help young people discover their gifts and callings

By prioritizing young people and families, churches signal that they value the next generation and are committed to their spiritual growth and development.

7. Be the best neighbors by engaging positively with the surrounding culture

Churches that grow young recognize the careful dance that values both fidelity to Scripture's commands for holiness and knowing and graciously loving their neighbors.

Positive cultural engagement. Being the best neighbors involves:

• Honoring what's good in culture
• Making the world better through service and social justice
• Respecting diverse viewpoints while maintaining conviction
• Helping young people find their vocational calling

Strategies for neighborliness:

• Engage in local and global service opportunities
• Foster dialogue on challenging cultural issues
• Celebrate ethnic and socioeconomic diversity
• Support young people in pursuing purpose-driven careers

Churches that are the best neighbors help young people see how faith connects with real-world issues and empowers them to make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.

8. Listen carefully to your congregation to understand its unique context

If we don't listen to others, we are prone to a common mistake, namely, equating the health and needs of our church with the "three Bs" that have often been used to measure congregations—building, bodies, and budget.

Understanding your context. Effective listening involves:

• Gathering input from all generations, not just young people
• Paying attention to the unique needs and culture of your community
• Looking beyond surface-level metrics to understand deeper dynamics

Listening strategies:

• Conduct surveys and focus groups
• Have one-on-one conversations with diverse church members
• Analyze demographic data about your community
• Observe patterns and trends in church participation

By listening carefully, church leaders can identify the specific obstacles and opportunities in their context, allowing them to tailor their approach to growing young.

9. Develop a shared vision through stories of future hope

Vision is "shared stories of future hope."

Crafting compelling vision. Effective vision-casting involves:

• Creating stories that illustrate the church's desired future
• Connecting individual stories to God's larger narrative
• Inspiring action and commitment across generations

Elements of powerful vision stories:

• Concrete examples of how young people will be engaged
• Clear connection to the church's mission and values
• Emotional appeal that resonates with diverse members
• Achievable goals balanced with faith-filled aspirations

By developing shared stories of future hope, churches can unite their congregation around a common vision for growing young and motivate members to take action.

10. Implement change gradually through experimentation and disciplined attention

Churches that grow young successfully fight against distractions or other pitfalls that threaten to derail them by maintaining disciplined attention.

Managing change effectively. Implementing change requires:

• Starting with small experiments on the margins
• Creating a "holding environment" that balances discomfort and safety
• Maintaining focus on long-term goals despite setbacks

Strategies for change management:

• Form a diverse team to guide the growing young process
• Identify and celebrate small wins along the way
• Address conflicts and resistance with grace and patience
• Regularly evaluate progress and adjust strategies as needed

By taking a gradual, experimental approach and maintaining disciplined attention, churches can navigate the challenges of change and successfully implement the core commitments needed to grow young.

Last updated: October 31, 2024