Q: How can church leaders make the youth of our church feel valued and involved?
Grewen, 18, Batangas, Philippines: I think the best way for the youth to become a good leader is to train them at their young age, at the age of 7 years the child should be given small task in the church activity like in leading the prayer in Sabbath school, being a chorister and even the special number. Trained children are more active in the church when grow-up. Of course if you train the children ask for the guidance of God so he/she will succeed. Thank you!
Sipho, 30, Gauteng, South Africa: On the issue of how can church leaders make the youth of our church feel valued and involved? I have observed in many Adventist churches that elders don't trust young people with the work of God. There's a common feeling that young people will mess the work of God and the world will laugh at us. But I believe that church is meant for all of us and we all have to partake in doing the Lord's work in and outside church. Bearing in mind also that we as young people the old folks for guidance. They should complement us when we do good as that will encourage us but again they must not stop reprimanding us when we mess up. We all need each other's support as we collectively do God's work. I still believe that the Lord's will is safe in the hands of young people. Also if we make ourselves available, we will be echoing the song that says: "Little becomes much when we place it in the Master's hand". Little as we may be, if we put ourselves in God's hand; He will do wonders with us to change the world upside-down.
DJ: I feel that youth and young adults should also make themselves available to their church. We can't just sit back and wait for the elders and deacons to approach us. I realize in some churches, youth have asked to be included and the elders have passed them over. But there there are churches where the youth just sit back. The elders don't realize they want to be included. So an idea I have is: everyone who WANTS to be active in the church in ANY aspect should make that known and the elders should also make a point to reach out and make positions and activities available to the younger people.
Cristian, 20, Suceava, Romania: I think it will be useful to have an international youth magazine with writings, photos, interview, and articles from all countries, made by an editorial team selected from different countries, not just the US. This can be done depending, not on a specific headquarters, but using internet connection. It could be printed in each country at a price dependent on the development of that country. This will improve communication between youth and between youth and the church leadership. It will help youth understand better true principals of life, happiness, their purpose of being and their mission
Lerato, 19, South Africa: Let the elders instruct and train us to perform duties in the church. We'd be involved in active duties, according to our faculties. Especially those who are in the tertiary levels.
LaVonne: Not be so afraid of change. We don’t have to lower our standards to make our church more appealing to young people. We are catering to 50 somethings, we need to think about the youth.
Ramel, 26, IL, United States of America: Stick to the Bible, not all the other compromises the more “mature” brethren are working to integrate
Geoffery Marshall, 25, New Mexico, United States: Involve them more. Give them responsibilities, make them feel they are an important part of the church and that they have a responsibility to help the church achieve its mission; not just that church is to make them feel entertained or feel good.
Adrian, 16, Australia: Hi! When, as stated in the “Let’s Talk…Again” broadcast, 70% of our church is made up of young people, why is it that the decisions relating to the young people end up, through an unfortunate way of management, being made by the older generation? I do not believe that sessions are an appropriate, let along biblical, way of electing our church leaders. When a nominating committee meets for 5 days in prayerful deliberation and generates a report that is knocked back in 90 seconds in a fiery session of politics, I believe the church has missed the mark. Do people no have more power then God in our church?
Penesular 22, Global Village: Love, Trust, Encouragement, and Understanding. Church leaders should approach them and help them out with their burdens. No matter their parents or ancestors were Adventists or not, they need help. They can’t choose their parents, yet, we as part of the church can change their futures. Preach is good, but we can’t preach when what some one needs is bread or some money. We have to feed them first. There should be no discrimination and groups in the church. We are united! There is political barrier in the church. People like to command and complain, but without giving a solution. Just imagine, church’s need people to play music, but not every church member can afford sending their children to learn music. For those people who do not know doesn’t mean they don’t have talents. They just may have not had a chance.
Irving, Massachusetts: Two things need to happen for the youth of the church to feel valued and involved. First, older members must recognize that young people are members too, meaning they can participate in the church service. Secondly, the young people must want to be involved and let it be known in a respectful way. Too many young people complain that they feel left out, yet they do not voice their feelings to the leaders
Henry, Malawi: By incorporating the youth in many church activites. If the youth are involved they feel valued. They should be given more responsiblities.
Santiago, 21, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico: Love them for who they are. Jesus came and chilled with the lowest. Not that the youth are the lowest, but you can’t pretend to get to them if you act like you are above them. Forgive them from the heart and don’t go scuba diving for past sins. Let true men of God be their leaders, not harsh, whip-lashing leaders who always want things the way they want
Kadene, 25, Maryland, United States: I think the best thing that church leaders can do for the youth of our church is get acquainted with them. Too often, church leaders sit on their high horses and judge our youth without having the slightest idea of what they are going through.
Phenyo, Gaborone, Botswana: The church leaders should recognize the presence of the youth in the church. Young people must be involved in church programs, appointed in leadership, and listened to by leaders. The church leaders must create a conducive environment for the youth to express themselves freely without threats and intimidations.
Ikechukwu, 23, Enugu Nigeria: Let the leaders of the church give the youth a chance to express their potential.
Anonymous: Make more programs in small churches.
Tenesha, 18, New York, United States: Invite them to be active in the church processes, including business meetings, and make sure to have a least one youth on the church board in addition to an adult youth leader.
Keketso 25, Eastern Cape, South Africa: I think that youth should be given more chances, though they make mistakes, the problem is that elder folk see other youth's behaviour in church and apply that kind of observation on all the youth even though it's not necessarily the case that we think alike and act in the same way.
Youth should be encouraged to run certain projects and programs in the church without any huzzles or threats, parents should be there to cheer the progress and to acknowledge their input, if criticism should come it should be in a loving and building manner, not destructive.
Dmorag, Nairobi, Kenya: They should a locate time and talk them so that they know their problems and views on different issues. Also advice and counsel them. I think seminars and workshops with experts will help.
Also, I wish to draw the attention of the leaders that, youths should be divided by age. Like Senior youths who are approaching 30 and above, should be having their own lectures as they feel offended to talk some things in the presence of junior youths.
Zanele 23, Eastern Cape, South Africa: Church leaders should involve youth in most of the church activities. Leaders should support youth in any ways they can.
Rick, MI, USA: I think that Church leaders should not use music that the young people are used to hearing in the clubs to keep them in the church. What they need are sermons that will point them to a soon-coming Savior, not club music disguised in Christian attire by Satan to keep them in sin. God said, "Come now, let us reason together," not "let us boogie together." It is not fair to them to listen to the same music at parties and clubs only to come in the church and listen to the same music. If Music is a part of worship, how come we think God is silent on this subject? I wonder how come God has something to say on ALL other aspects of worship EXCEPT music. Could it be that He does, only that we are not converted to hear what he is saying because our music is too loud and reflects too much of the world? It music is a part of worship then He must have a position.
Our leaders need to wake up and give the young people more credit. They are more than just globs of emotions. They are thinkers and future leaders.
Anonymous: By letting them get involved. Train your young people to run the affairs of the church. Let them have a say in the important things in church. It’s time for the “old folks” to let go and let God with the young people.
Will 22, Tennessee United States: Leaders of the church should reach out to them and listen to what they have to say, instead of judging them. They should also address the issue of prejudice by church members of a more conservative background, not saying that conservatism is a bad thing, but I am saying that sometimes conservatives can be very condescending of younger people.
Beverly 19 Florida, United States: Involve the youth in activities and in programs of the church and invest into programs for the youth: for example, raising money for a group of youth to go to a free retreat
Wendi, Maryland United States: Be open to new and creative ideas that young adults may bring to the table. There are so many more ways the church could be reaching unchurched people, but it seems like the Adventist Church so often just “talks to itself.” Listen to the ideas young adults have, even if they appear to some as to “modern” or too “un-Adventist,” and take those ideas seriously. They just might reach people who otherwise wouldn’t hear about the Adventist Church. The church needs to get with the times to appeal to the unchurched.
Audrey, 18 Georgia United States: Get them active in church ministry! Get them knocking on doors and asking for Bible studies, trust them with big positions in your evangelistic crusades (like music director or even the speaker!) give them the opportunity to have responsibility in the church service. I have 20 friends who are all very active in the church because of this! Adults trust us with responsibility! And we love it!
Jean-Marie, 24 The Netherlands: I think that instead of always being ready to condemn or judge the way youth think or behave, church leaders should try harder to understand life from the point of view of a youth.
Tola: By giving them responsibilities in the church, listening to what they have to say and attending to their needs
Vane, 22 Nairobi Kenya: Not judging them as too young or as people with crazy, wild, untried ideas.
Benjamin, Mexico: Es bueno saber y conocer, pero es major que nos escuchen. Y juntos trabajar por Cristo!
Chimeremeze, 18 Nigeria: By introducing seminars on sex education. This is were the devil is luring our young ones away.
Dionesio, 24, Philippines: Church leaders can make the youth feel valued and involved when their ideas and thoughts about certain church issues concerning the youth are heard and recognized as part of the decision making process, as well as making important youth matters part of every dimension of the church. More often then not, most of the decision making of the church is always done by the older ones, giving small values to the voices of the youth. Sometimes youth are the least priority in every aspect and action taken by the church. Also, all problems that concern the youth, such as family problems, Sabbath classes for students attending non-Adventist colleges and universities, to name a few, should be addressed and in doing so, youth feel valued and involved.
Sandile, 21 South Africa: First of all, there are many Adventist youth who wish to study to be pastors for the church, by the church, but can’t because of lack of funding from the church and support in order to study. My question is how do you guys plan to over come this problem as it is becoming a burden and a stumbling block for the Adventist youth. I’m asking this because I’m one of those who wish to study for the word of GOD, but now I’ve been forced to study a worldly career which ahs a great impact on my spiritual life. You see the fact stands, the Adventist church is losing many of its young, youthful members to worldly careers.
Eds, 25 Philippines: Church leaders should support the youth activities spiritually as well as financially…
Itai, 26 Zimbabwe: By delegating most church duties and co-opting young people as assistants in church departments, a spirit of responsibility and accountability will be cultivated in the hearts of young people as they labor in God’s work.
Juli 22, Maryland: The leaders of the church should be open to all arguments and discussion, not just what they think is important
Lisa 22, Ohio: Make it easier for young people to get jobs in the church
Jeremy 24, California: Make the youth the leaders. The question itself demonstrates the chasm between the young people and church leaders
Melanie 24, Maryland: It’s important to listen to their opinions and not brush them off, but let their voices be heard. They’re the future of the church!