Faith Moments: 7 ways you can impact this next generation

This “next generation” is the most unchurched in American history. Many of us look around our churches, which are admittedly aging, and wonder if we can make a difference. There is hope for you and your church. Here are seven suggestions for how you can impact this next generation for Christ:

1. Pray. Pray for specific children. Ask God to reach young people with the gospel. Pray that your church might be more effective in reaching young people. Camden Baptist Church, for example, started with a few women praying earnestly for babies. Their nursery was empty. Today, they are asking for more workers to help care for all the children.

2. Give. Give your time, talents and treasures to invest in this next generation. Make sure your church’s budget adequately reflects the concern we claim to have over our children and youth.

Show you care

3. Be present. Let young people see that you care about them. Volunteer to keep the nursery. If you have youth services, attend from time to time. You might not like the music, but it’s not about you and me but about furthering the Kingdom. Babysit some children so their busy mom and dad can have a date night. Ask God how you can be present in a young person’s life.

4. Go on a “trip” or “field day.” Again, being with them shows you care. Cyrus was a member of a church I pastored. Even though he was 80, he attended their youth services. Moreover, he volunteered to go on their trips as a chaperone. Guess what? They loved him, and he loved them.

5. Disciple. Make it your aim to share the love of Christ with these young people. Intentionally invest in their spiritual growth. Teach children in Sunday School or VBS. Perhaps ask your pastor if there is a student you can mentor.

One lady didn’t have much money but had time and a desire to make a difference, and she made a “mean” peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She invited a youth to come to her house. She prayed with her and discipled her as they ate sandwiches and chips and drank sweet tea.

This dear lady is now with the Lord, but her legacy lives on.

6. Celebrate. Be there and celebrate their big days. For example, give a present when they are “graduating” from K-5 to first grade. Rejoice with the family when they are baptized. Remember their “rites of passage,” and they will remember you for life.

7. Listen. Young people hear a lot of “do’s and don’ts.” They don’t need your sermons (until you first build a rapport); instead, they need a listening ear, a godly influence, love and a prayer warrior.

These are only a few suggestions. I would like you to know that you can make a difference in the lives of young people. Let’s not curse the darkness. Let us shine the light of the gospel into this next generation.