Numerous pastors, ministers, and churches have reflected on and explored how to draw young people into the church, yet few have found lasting success. Brother Joshua, who leads the youth fellowship at a church in East China, identifies two key elements of drawing in young people—initial attraction and sustained attraction, both of which are crucial. While it is important to first connect with young people in ways that resonate with them, he emphasizes that it is ultimately the truth that nurtures and builds their lives.
"How to attract young people? Is it only about attracting, or is attraction merely a stage, a means to a greater end? This must be clarified," he said.
Combining Elements That Appeal to Young People with the Biblical Truth
Brother Joshua emphasized that employing external means to attract young people to church is a demonstration of wisdom. However, he cautioned, "Once they (the young people) come in, what keeps them engaged? Is it the truth that draws them in, or still the external methods?"
He noted that the church can incorporate elements that resonate with young people. For instance, before one of his senior fellow believers took charge of a youth fellowship, the fellowship simply rented a house and arranged it for worship. After this senior took over, he transformed the space into something more appealing: the main area became a coffee bar, one room was decorated with video game-themed items, and another was reserved for worship. He also organized one or two shared meals each week to foster deeper relationships. When young people faced challenges at work, this senior offered guidance rooted in biblical principles. Gradually, these young people became drawn to the truth.
"Praise and worship" is another way to reach young people. Brother Joshua explained that in the early stages of faith, individuals are often drawn in by music, even though they may not immediately be captivated by the truth.
While a church that offers vibrant praise and worship can create a powerful religious experience, he warned that if music becomes the focus rather than a path toward God, some may choose to leave when encountering challenges.
Brother Joshua also observed that the personal charisma of a leader can draw many young people to church. At his own church, he has seen how believers express respect and admiration for a charismatic pastor. However, he raised a critical question: "These people came to church and believed in Jesus because of the charismatic pastor, but what is their foundation?" If a pastor stumbles, will their faith endure?
Initial attraction alone is not enough, he concluded. What ultimately leads young people to remain committed to the church is a firm foundation in truth. "So that the personal faith is rooted and grounded, and that foundation is Jesus Christ," said Brother Joshua.
Combining Truth with Life
Brother Joshua once believed that as long as a person understood biblical truth, their spiritual life would naturally grow. However, after a few years of ministry, he realized that despite being taught the truth, many young believers in the church showed little transformation in their lives.
He observed that traditional preachers and pastors, though not always skilled in biblical interpretation, excel at application. "They may not explain the Bible in detail, but the congregation understands them. They're good at storytelling and creating emotional resonance." In contrast, seminary students are often trained to focus on rational interpretation. After graduation, they may appear competent in preaching, yet church members often find their sermons lacking because they fail to connect doctrine to everyday life.
His seminary years were devoted to the pursuit of reason and interpretation, but practical experience later revealed an important lesson: the application of Scripture is critical in one's faith journey. He came to recognize his own shortcomings in this area. He also understood that the application of Scripture must align with the principles of exegesis and interpretation; it cannot be twisted or misinterpreted merely for the sake of application.
"It's necessary to connect the truth to young people's realities," he emphasized. For example, the Bible must be made relevant to the workplace for young professionals. "There must not only be Scripture, but also real-life application. And this application should be specific, targeted, and even personal and practical. Young people need to feel that although they are studying a book written thousands of years ago, its truths remain applicable to their current environment and daily lives." This was the advice Joshua received from several experienced pastors.
Originally published by the Christian Times
- Edited by Karen Luo and translated by Poppy Chan
