Reaching the lost generation
Those currently aged 18-24 will one day be leaders in our churches, so it is hugely important to invest in them. Whenever I spend time with young people I see the huge challenges they are facing – alcohol, relationships, financial struggles, loneliness and more. This is a group of people in the ‘prime of life’ who believe they have a lifetime to achieve what they want and often tragically don’t see the need for God in that.
Take the pressure of finding a career. There is a perceived feeling among so many young people that your career choice defines who you are, and directs the trajector y of your life. Many people in this stage of life will be stepping out independently for the first time, trying to focus on God’s call when society often encourages them to look the other way, to find their worth in success, achievements and financial standing.
Sadly, the Church has a very negative image among this generation and desperately needs to change its reputation, to be known as good news to the community and a light shining in the darkness. ‘Attractive’ Christianity One of the biggest challenges facing the Church is its attempt to look as attractive as all the other voices fighting for young people’s attention. The Church needs to give people of this age group the opportunity to try and do things. We need to see people as the ‘now’ generation, not the ‘next’ generation.
A huge part of this is discipling children effectively from a young age. Rather than simply telling stories of Jesus, we need to ensure our children engage with the spiritual gifts so they experience God’s love and power. My prayer is that when they grow older they won’t see church as boring or irrelevant, but as vital and life-giving.
I believe the best way to reach out to the 18-24 generation is to meet them where they are at, to find the things they are interested in and press into them. One thing many have noticed about this generation is how keen they are to be involved in charitable work. People in this age bracket have charitable hearts and want to help the poor and marginalised, so the Church can enable them to do this and give them responsibility early on in order to use these leadership gifts and develop skills. We need to not be afraid to let them try, and in some cases let them fail. Discipleship Year It is crucial that we reach out to those aged 18-24. Young people need to learn the Bible in a relevant way that doesn’t take three years or a degree, while Christians in the workplace need to be able to communicate the gospel to colleagues. It is important to give people the chance to take a year out to learn the Bible and experience church work to see if it’s for them, and also to see how they can help a church run while working.
New Wine’s Discipleship Year gives young people the opportunity to take this time out to explore the calling on their lives at what is otherwise a very pressured time – starting further education or starting out in a new career. The practical application focus of the teaching and the opportunity to experience the nitty gritty and weight of responsibility of church leadership, is key in ensuring that leaders who are practically as well as academically equipped to lead effectively are being ‘produced’. We are focussing on making disciples of people as this is something we believe is a Biblical command, (Matt 28:19).
In my opinion the Discipleship Year is essential for young Christians to cement the foundations of a journey with Jesus for their life. They will learn about Christ, the Word, prayer and what they can bring to the Church in the 21st century. Above all, they will have time to learn about church leadership, discern their calling and seek God’s will for their lives.
As one of our students said: “For me this year was about giving God the attention, time and space to mould my character as he wanted so he could achieve what he wants through my life. The work God has been doing in and through me is not what I had anticipated, but it has been amazing. The Discipleship Year has created an environment that can accommodate this intensive transformation of my character, but also given me a practical focus to keep me grounded and provide the opportunity to walk these changes out, so that the blessing isn’t wasted.”
Bev Pursglove loves working with young people, and helps lead New Wine’s Discipleship Year in Manchester.