FROM THE PRESIDENT | By Aaron M. Kauffman
How do we engage the next generation in the life and witness of the church? That was the key question I wanted to answer six years ago in my doctoral dissertation. I focused on a number of local churches that were bursting at the seams with folks in their late teens and twenties. What were these churches doing right? Five overarching themes emerged in my interviews with six pastors and 31 young adults, which I sum up with the acronym, VITAL.
Vibrant Worship: Young adults in my study expressed a desire for “worship that is heartfelt, inspiring, and challenging.” They were not looking to be entertained or told things they already agreed with. And worship style was secondary. They wanted worship of substance with people who really believe what they are singing and proclaiming.
Intergenerational Relationships: Contrary to the trend toward segmented ministry that gathers people of the same age together, the churches in my study emphasized relationships across generations. Whether this happened formally with mentoring programs, or informally in small groups or corporate worship, young adults valued the friendship and example of those further along in the journey of faith.
Transformational Gospel: A formulaic gospel focused on the afterlife did not resonate with young adults. Rather, a life-changing encounter with Jesus was the primary way churches in my study talked about the gospel. But this wasn’t just about personal change. As one young woman put it, the gospel is “the bigger story about how God wants to redeem the world, us included.”
Authentic Evangelism: Similarly, the churches I studied avoided approaches to evangelism that were canned or confrontational. Instead, they emphasized incarnational outreach wherever people “live, work, and play.” Are we cultivating real friendships of love and trust with neighbors beyond our church circles? If those friends come with us to worship or to a small group, will they experience the hospitality of a community shaped by the God who became one of us in Jesus Christ?
Love for Young Adults: Finally, the defining characteristic of these churches was a genuine love for young adults amid the struggles of their generation. Young adults face both a turbulent life-stage and an increasingly post-Christian culture. A church that welcomes their gifts and appreciates their unique qualities while also challenging them to grow in Christ will find itself on the right track.
Skip Tobin, a veteran missionary and ministry coach, has compared young adults in the church to “apex predators” like tigers in their natural habitat. A healthy tiger population means a healthy ecosystem. But if the tigers are in trouble, the rest of the forest probably is, too.
In the same way, churches with vibrant young adult participation will be healthy in all kinds of other ways, including in their mission sending. How is the young adult presence in your church? What VITAL characteristics are present? Where does your church need to grow?