Alive for a purpose: Investing in the next generation

Sent 2022-23: young people saw in the New Year with prayer, fasting and sparklers!

But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ… (Philippians 1:22a NLT)

Have you ever wondered why God has kept you alive? For the apostle Paul, it was the belief that his continued presence on earth meant that there was still more for him to accomplish (Phil 1:22).

I think that same logic applies to you and me. If you’re still alive (and you probably are if you’re reading this), then you’re alive for a purpose. To quote a worship song, “If I’m not dead, then you’re not done, greater things are still to come.” I sincerely believe that to be the case.

The crisis of faith and a call for change

A 2021 census revealed that less than half (46%) of Britain’s population identified as Christian. While it is somewhat shocking, actual Christians know the problem of unbelief is much worse. We all have friends, colleagues, and family members who function with little to no faith. At the same time, “Jesus”, “Christ”, and “Oh my God” have been reduced to expletives, and the Bible is seen as totally irrelevant. Another survey found that just 6% of the population attends church regularly and are practising Christians.

Churchgoing doesn’t make someone a Christian and of course there are committed Christians who cannot regularly attend for various reasons. Even considering that, I think 6% sounds about right.

Only 6% of the 66.97 million people in Britain have a vibrant, active faith in Jesus.

This is very serious indeed. A lot of people are living without the hope of Jesus in a very dark and painful world. A lot of people are heading for an eternity separated from Him.

A deeper reading of the available statistics paints an even grimmer picture. Delving into the data reveals that, according to the Census 2021 data, the average (median) age of someone who described themselves as “Christian” was 51 years (compare that to to 27 for “Muslim”, 32 for “no religion”, and 37 for “Sikh” and “Hindu”). The mean average age of the UK population is 40.

What does this tell us? It says that not many young people are engaging with the gospel and living their lives trusting in Jesus. We have to see change, and we have to see it soon.

Sent 2024: Students and twenties worshipping God together

Proclaiming God's mighty acts to the next generation

Psalm 145 is one of my favourite psalms. It contains a beautiful verse about older generations teaching younger generations about God:

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. (Psalm 145:4 NLT)

This is why God has kept you alive: to proclaim His mighty acts to those who come after you. It’s worth noting that this isn’t just about youth work; the next generation is also about reaching young adults.

In light of our nation's crisis of faith, I firmly believe that all our churches must put the next generation front and centre of missional prayer and planning. I lead an event for Relational Mission called Sent where we are passionate about seeing those in their late teens, twenties, and early thirties on fire for God. As churches, we must do all we can to reach the next generation with the gospel and invest in their discipleship.

So - what can you do?

Here are three ways you can take action and invest in the next generation.

First, start by praying. Prayer is essential if we are to see this situation turn around. Why not set aside two mornings a week to pray intentionally for any young people you know and for those who attend your church service on a Sunday morning?

Second, consider serving. In my previous church, we welcomed 400 young people to our building every Friday night and this extraordinary work required not only a dedicated youth team but other functional roles such as door staff, fire marshals, bar staff, and a clean-up team. All kinds of activities contribute to a ministry’s success!

Thirdly, invest time with the next generation. And before you hesitate, let me debunk a common myth: investing in the next generation DOESN’T require you to be relatable or cool. All you need a love of Jesus and to be invitational. Many of the young adults in my church love to spend time with older, wiser folks. One man I know recently gave his life to Jesus because a couple in their 80s led him to Christ.

The Call 2023: Our recent leaders conference gathered people of all generations together

Quoting the youth director for 24/7 prayer: “They live in a generation that calls for justice, and Jesus was that person. They live in a generation that’s crying out for love, and Jesus came as an expression of God’s love. They’re a generation crying out for truth, and Jesus came as a herald of truth.” Youth is not in opposition to relevance. And who is more relevant than Jesus?

Finally, see if there’s a way you can financially invest in your church's work to reach the next generation. Could you take a younger person out for coffee regularly? or host pizza parties in your home? Perhaps you could help them get along to events like Sent or Pioneer Europe, or training programmes like ID and LEAD?

I invite you to ask yourself: will you commend God to the next generation? Will you play your part? Don’t just hold onto the pearls of wisdom you have gathered over the years – pass them on. It’s why you’re here on earth!

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Tom Scrivens

Tom’s journey to faith was greatly influenced by receiving spiritual input from older, wiser men whilst in his teenage years. He now heads up the leadership team at Hope Church Ipswich and also leads the team for Sent, a movement of students and twenties in Relational Mission that gathers young people each year for a time of worship, teaching and prayer. Tom is married to Sarah and they have three children.