Leadership Connexion Summer 2022 Q2
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MINISTER CARE & CHURCH RECALIBRATION | Jason Tourville | 717.795.5921 | jason@penndel.org<br />
reVITALize FAITH<br />
in the Next Generation<br />
Is Biblical faith dead to the next generation? Let’s take a look. While only 17% of Americans are<br />
65 and older, a recent study revealed that 33% of U.S. congregations are senior citizens. 1 This represents<br />
nearly double the national age range involved in our churches. Should this figure concern us? Yes and<br />
No! In some ways, there has always been a drop off of college age and young adults attending our<br />
congregations simply due to life stage. So, this statistic is nothing new. On the other hand, the disparity<br />
between the numbers (17%-33%) is much higher than it has ever been. Additionally, our culture has been<br />
radically redefined through fresh doses of secularism, relativism and a resurgence of Gnosticism that is<br />
forcing us to realize that we are in a battle for the next generation.<br />
“Church leaders must also grapple with<br />
the generational slide away from religion.<br />
Millennials are much less likely than their<br />
elders to indicate a religious preference,<br />
and presumably the nearly one-third of<br />
millennials without a religious preference<br />
are unlikely to ever join a church.” 2<br />
Behind the Scenes<br />
Relationship and trust are not built from<br />
the platform or behind a pulpit; they are<br />
established behind the scenes. When<br />
leaders take a vested interest in the next<br />
generation, time is spent investing in them<br />
one-on-one. This includes more than<br />
downloading Biblical information from an<br />
experienced disciple of Jesus to the less<br />
experienced. It involves taking them out<br />
for a meal, providing a safe relationship to<br />
process life and stressors, and being with<br />
them, not for what we can get from them,<br />
but simply to be with them.<br />
According to research conducted by<br />
LifeWay, “Having other adults and more<br />
adults develop healthy relationships<br />
with teenagers increases the odds<br />
those students will remain in church<br />
as adults.” 3 If we are to revitalize faith<br />
with the next generation, it will happen<br />
behind the scenes as we spend time<br />
with them.<br />
In addition, helping the next generation<br />
learn to serve behind the scenes without<br />
notoriety or accolades, helps form the<br />
heart of the servant. Not all ministry<br />
work is on the platform. Perhaps like<br />
me, in the early years of ministry, I<br />
cleaned toilets, mopped floors, set-up<br />
tables and chairs and much more.<br />
Around the Table<br />
The second strategy to revitalize faith<br />
in the next generation is to invite them<br />
to the table. This means giving them a<br />
voice in board meetings, including them<br />
on committees and certainly involving<br />
them as leaders of teams. This is never<br />
about replacing the older generation, but<br />
assuring that the next generation is both<br />
learning from their elders and informing<br />
their elders about what it takes to reach<br />
and teach this next generation.<br />
Much is learned around the table. A key<br />
benefit is building faith in what God can<br />
do and will do. Whether it is a financial<br />
need of the church or a prayer request<br />
supernaturally answered, faith arises<br />
when we are at the table together. This<br />
is one approach we can take to fulfill<br />
2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that<br />
you have heard from me among many<br />
witnesses, commit these to faithful men<br />
who will be able to teach others also.”<br />
While Paul’s words include Biblical<br />
instruction, we also need to show them<br />
as they are around the table with us.<br />
On the Platform<br />
Providing significant opportunities for<br />
ministry is a key element for revitalizing<br />
the faith of the next generation. Most of<br />
us have grown and developed into the<br />
spiritual leaders we are today because<br />
someone gave us a chance, when<br />
truthfully, we weren’t quite prepared<br />
or ready. However, ministry in front of<br />
others oftentimes grows our faith and<br />
causes all of us to press into God more<br />
deeply.<br />
In addition, when we entrust significant<br />
ministry, such as speaking or other<br />
ministry on the platform, it speaks value<br />
to the one we are raising up. Also, it<br />
lets others know that we value the next<br />
generation. People must see what we<br />
expect. If we desire that our churches<br />
reach the next generation, then we<br />
need to provide space for them to<br />
minister with the unrefined gifts God has<br />
deposited in them.<br />
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