I’ve known Jesus nearly as long as I’ve known myself.
My childhood was composed of all of the regular things – school, play times, siblings pinching my sweets. But for good measure it also had a decent spattering of multiple church meetings a week. Jesus was a non-negotiable in my upbringing! And I’m thankful to report that He is, at twenty-nine, still a non-negotiable for me. That said, my faith has changed a lot since I was a tot, as has the world of our young people.
Challenges our young people face
The list of changes is seemingly endless. Advances in technology afford us wonderful ways of staying connected with each other, but ironically can exacerbate loneliness. This is especially true for young people, who are navigating age-old questions of identity and morality in a whole new world. Societal norms are diverging more and more sharply from historic Christian doctrine. What is the role of the Church in all of this? What will it take to share Jesus with the new generation, amidst these new challenges?
I work in the advocacy team at the Evangelical Alliance and as one of the discipleship pastors at my church. These roles afford me the opportunity to think critically about what faith formation entails in this cultural moment. They also give me the chance to explore what it would look like to pass on the faith that I have received. Here are four things I believe will help churches engage with the next generation, forming them into life-long followers of Jesus:
1. Be courageous in sharing God’s counter-cultural message
The Church isn’t a shallow social club; it is the counter-cultural people of God. In Luke 2, we see Jesus Himself being formed in a community forging an identity distinct from Roman occupation. Inviting young people into the rituals and practices that mark a distinct people will both stretch them and embrace them in community. Speaking out on culturally contested topics from the timeless truth of God’s word is not easy, but it is essential to enabling young people to live for Jesus in today’s world. It is desperately needed, and dearly appreciated when leaders have the courage to put their heads above the parapet and shed light on the Bible’s wisdom for living.
2. Be real about the challenges of life
Young people have a high value for authenticity. In an age that capitalises on appearance and concealment, they can detect fake a mile off. One of the best things a church community can model for young people is the reality of doing all of life under the Lordship of Jesus – through good times and bad. It is compelling for them to experience the family of Jesus as those who weep and rejoice together, persisting in praise while acknowledging challenges and strain. A church experience where pain is minimised and difficult questions sanitised will push them away.
3. Be humble in recognising what young people can bring
By the very nature of things, young people have a lot to learn – but they also have a lot to teach. No one enjoys being condescended to. Not only will this alienate young people, but it will also deprive the church of their invaluable perspectives and contribution. Many of the things that we take to be normal parts of faith are culturally conditioned and generationally determined. Therefore, welcoming young people as equal members of the church community can support them in helping us all follow Jesus better.
4. Be empowering with opportunities for them to serve
Give young people avenues to serve, with as much trust and permission as possible. There is a universe of opportunity between suffocating oversight and neglectful abandon. It is not without risks, but giving young people space to fail also gives them space to thrive. Additionally, it reinforces an aspect of the hope of the gospel. Our lives with Jesus are not based on how well we perform, but on who He is, and our wholehearted response to His sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus really is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)! He is as intent on drawing today’s young people into the life, freedom and wholeness of His kingdom as He was for those He met while physically on earth. I am grateful for those who believed that was true for me. And I am humbled to contribute to a new generation of young people encountering this truth for themselves.
The Church as a whole has an indispensable role to play in this. My prayer is that these prompts encourage you to cherish the opportunity you have to nurture faith in young lives. How could you best facilitate this in your church community? May we together make Jesus known – for the sake of a new generation, and for the sake of all generations.
Damilola Makinde
Damilola is advocacy engagement lead at the Evangelical Alliance and part of the formation team at KXC – Kings Cross Church, London.
She has been deeply formed by the Scriptures and relishes the opportunity to share their wealth and wisdom with others. She is passionate about being a witness of Jesus in public, thoughtfully engaging in key cultural and political issues.
Photo by Ethan Johnson on Unsplash