Dear Uncle Gary…

I’ve noticed that many churchgoers your age aren’t involved with the youth at all. Everyone assumes that young people will just keep coming back every week, even though the stats show a steady decline in Canadians engaging in religion. The number of people proclaiming their faith has declined from 90 percent in 1985 to 68 percent in 2019, according to one study. Uncle Gary, we need to explore the question of why young people still attend church and understand what we’re doing right.

At my church, young people who attend usually begin with our youth ministries before going to church on Sundays. It’s easier to attend youth group because of the community they have there – friends and youth leaders. I want to focus on the youth leaders here. My youth leaders not only cultivated a sense of belonging for me but also for all my crazy questions.

Jesus also answers his disciples’ weird questions. He is the best biblical (and historic) example of what mentorship should look like. For three whole years, Jesus sits, eats, explains and spends time with his disciples. After his ascension and the Holy Spirit’s arrival, these same disciples, who were quite young (scholars say the youngest may have been 13 years old), go on to start and lead the early church. The disciples never could’ve done this without Jesus’ mentoring.

Three hours a week

A big problem at my youth group is that it’s hard to feel close with our leaders because there are so many of us. I’ve seen people, forgotten and unknown, slowly cycle out and stop coming. It’s like Jesus says: “The workers are few, but the harvest is plentiful.”

That’s why I’m writing to you. You’re super welcoming, patient and biblically literate. Furthermore, you have experiences and wisdom that no one else can bring. I remember the time I fell off my bike; you found me crying and hurt and you instinctively started praying for me. That really modeled what living out faith was for me.

Here is my request: I would like to ask you to come help with my church’s youth ministry. Yes, it is a big commitment. Gen Z looks for consistency in adults, and this will take up to three hours weekly. But think of the ways you’ll see God move, the lives transformed by God through your faithfulness. Maybe this is what is meant when Jesus said that our faith could heal us. Not that our faith has the power to heal wounds or blindness but rather it puts us in the position to let God do his work.

Pray and reflect on this, on the gifts God has given you, the experiences, perspective and wisdom that you’ve been through and learned. Then take up the role or decline; it’s up to you.

Peace and with much love,
JJ