Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Reaching Out to the Missing Generation 

To attract the missing generations of young adults, churches have been encouraged to be more flexible and show more support for that age group among their congregations

 
These are some of the messages that have come out of the inaugural event of the Younger Leaders’ Forum of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

The Missing event took place in Birmingham on Saturday, aiming to look at why there is a missing generation of 18-30 year olds in our churches.

One of the speakers was Dr Rachel Jordan, the associate adviser for Mission and Evangelism for the Church of England and an Associate Missioner with the Fresh Expressions team.

She spoke of the cultural differences between the church of yesterday and of today, and the need to tap into this generation in a different way.

Dr Jordan said the challenge was a daunting one, as only 20 per cent of 20 year olds in the country have had any meaningful relationship with the church.

She later praised the YLF and those present as a ‘called’ generation, who needed much support and encouragement.

‘It was a privilege to be there with a wonderful group of young adults,’ she told The Baptist Times. 'They are the ones who have been called to reach out to their generation.

Reaching out to the missing ge‘The decline in church across all denominations gets more serious with each generation. Their generation has a daunting challenge – and they need encouraging and resourcing to be fit to make the call.’

The Revd Ian Bunce, head of the BUGB mission department, described it as ‘inspiring’ day, adding that the YLF members were ‘phenomenal’.

Ways in which churches can help this generation, Mr Bunce said, include being more flexible.

‘There is a great belief that people need to come to our church, but it’s often at a time that doesn’t fit, and in a style that’s not relevant to the younger generation.’

Churches can also offer prayer, support, encouragement to affirm what the younger people are doing – and ‘stop trying to keep them so busy with church they don’t have the time to develop relationships outside of it.’

Hope’s youth director Phil Timson was another main speaker. Writing on Twitter, he said, ‘What an amazing group of young leaders @missingGen. Inspired by their faithfulness for Jesus. Lord may your Kingdom come.’

Ben Christine of Andover Baptist Church is the current moderator of the YLF. He said one of the advantages of the event was to hear shared stories and have the opportunity to network with others in a similar situation.

‘We were really, really happy with how it went. Everybody was saying similar things, that this is an issue. We are not alone.

‘Interestingly we had a couple of people from different denominations, and they were saying the same thing.

‘A lot of people were prayed for, a lot of people came to the event not knowing what to expect, but have gone away encouraged.’

The YLF will now report its findings, both from the Missing event and the Missing Generation website, to Baptist Union Council in November. It is also hosting a session at next year’s Baptist Assembly.

Recordings from Missing are to be posted at http://missinggeneration.com/.

Four videos will be released to be shown in churches. The first is now available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XiEKLmQgaA
 

    Post     Tweet
‘We can choose to tell a new story – one of gracious growth’
​General Secretary Lynn Green urged Baptists to embrace a story of hope and renewal rather than decline in her closing address at the Baptist Assembly
ba25report
'God's Baptist people are in good heart' - Steve Finamore's reflections
Outgoing Baptists Together President Steve Finamore shared encouraging signs of church growth and renewed hope across Baptist networks
ba25report
More than 60 ministers and pastors commissioned at Baptist Assembly
Ministers who have transferred to the fully accredited list, nationally recognised pastors and recognised local ministers were commissioned and prayed, in a session which also featured the In Memoriam
ba25report
Mission Resolution introduced at Assembly
Designed to build a shared understanding of mission across Baptists Together, this marks the beginning of a two-year process of discernment, dialogue, and engagement, with the goal of the resolution being adopted at the 2027 Baptist Assembly
ba25report
'We thank God for all the ways that he is graciously at work in and through us'
General Secretary Lynn Green celebrated the power of collaboration across Baptists Together in sharing three highlights from the past year
ba25report
'Every fellowship is a disciple making environment'
A mission conference led by BMS World Mission formed the first 24 hours of the Baptist Assembly weekend
ba25report
     Latest News 
    Posted: 21/05/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast