Think of the adults who had a significant influence on your life growing up—the teachers, coaches, and extended family members. A host of research studies note the benefits of nonparental adults in the lives of teens. Those sorts of relationships are just as essential in the church.  In their research, Fuller Youth Institute leaders Kara Powell and Chap Clark discovered the number one way churches made teens feel welcomed was when members of the congregation showed an interest in them: “More than any single program or event, adults making the effort to get to know the kids was far more likely to make the kids feel like a significant part of their church.” 

Last week, counselor Leia Joseph reminded us, “As an adult church member, you have been given the humbling stewardship of shaping how youth view the body of Christ.” Joseph shared some practical pointers: “Start with learning the names and ages of the young people in your congregation. Notice youth who are alone and say hello, perhaps expressing delight merely in the opportunity to meet them . . . Expect it to be clumsy, and don’t give up if the first interaction seems forced.” Lord willing, you’ll have years to watch the young people in your church community grow, and plenty of opportunities to invest in them. As you do, know that your intentionality may be making a more significant impact on their faith than any youth ministry program or state-of-the-art facility ever could. 

For the joy of the next generation,