The Bookshelf: Growing Young

“Its ministry is not flashy, its facilities are pretty basic, and it has only one full-time staff person. However, the church is now a place where young people love to be and where they are growing in their faith”

Book Title: Growing Young: 6 essential strategies to help young people discover and love your church

Written By: Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad Griffin. Researchers at Fuller Youth Institute America.  

Available At: Roscoe Library Kindle Koorong

Recommended Readers: Clergy, Youth Pastors, Anyone involved in Youth Ministry, Anyone involved in Young Adult Ministry, Anyone passionate about Youth and Young Adults, ideally everyone

Help! I don’t have time to read (aka recommended short version): Read Chapter One which summarises the key themes and overall research really well and then take a quick read of the ‘Chapter Highlights’ located at the end of each chapter. Then read accordingly to whatever takes you interest, curiosity, or sense of familiarity within your church context. I would also recommend reading pages 215-217 and 279-280 to complement.

Total Pages: 49                  Estimated Reading Time: 35-50 minutes

Optional Addition: There are three case studies that I found the most inspiring

1. St John’s and their focus on university students to bring about amazing growth within an inner city context – Pages 271-274
2. Volga Christian Reformed Church – a small rural church that showcases how growth isn’t about numbers – Pages 296-300
3. District Church – a urban church that didn’t wait for people to come to them but found how they could serve their community and reach them in their worlds instead – Pages 235-236

Why Read This Book?

I love research. There is nothing that satisfies me more than reading through a report full of statistics and discovering something new or affirming something I’ve noticed or suspected myself. I also have a healthy dose of respect for the Fuller Youth Institute who are the ones behind the great book “Sticky Faith”, which explored why so many young adults are leaving their faith behind as they move on from high school.

So when I heard that they had just finished up a major research project about churches that were seeing growth in their numbers of youth and young adults, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. With over 10,000 hours’ worth of research including surveys, interviews, and site visits, they produced this book and what they found to be 6 key themes that came through from these churches that were seeing growth not decline in their youth statistics.

And they are;

1. Unlocking Keychain Leadership

They found that many of these churches empowered and equipped their young people to lead in their churches. Their leaders were aware of the ‘keys’ of authority and leadership they hold and are intentional in their trust and empowerment of their young people to hold the keys they give.  

2. Empathy with Young People

This chapter explores the reality of young people today and the struggles they face. Many churches looked at how they could support and empathise with young people making their communities places of patience, grace, and empathy.

3. Take Jesus’ Message Seriously

“Young people want to know not only what they are saved from but also what they are save for.” Churches that focused on the redemptive narrative of Jesus and focused on how the gospel impacts life here and now tend to grow young.  

4. Fuel a Warm Community

Young people are looking for authenticity and a place to belong and care far less about flashy worship or cool programming than you might think. Many churches growing young often had their congregations described as ‘family’ and as places that were welcoming, accepting, authentic, hospitable, and caring. Warm is the new cool.

5. Prioritize Young People (and Families) Everywhere

These churches made young people a priority not just in word but in their everyday running of the church. This means not simply having family and youth friendly services, but also equipping and encouraging service amongst young people and in most cases – a change in church culture.

6. Be the Best Neighbours

These churches wrestle and work through the difficult balance of seeking holiness and extending grace and love to their neighbours. They seek to not simply preach about loving their neighbours but to act it out in their own communities, while encouraging and equipping their own young people to be the best neighbours they can be.

This book is easy to read, full of case studies and examples of how these churches are reaching their young people. It is also full of testimonies and stories from young people themselves showcasing why they love their churches. It’s practical, with key questions and reflections at the end of each chapter which can help you consider how you can use the tools provided to help your own church grow young. It’s also an incredibly hopeful book without hiding from the realities of ministry and the simple fact that things take time. There is a strong sense of belief that growth is possible no matter what your church looks like, that all you need to do to start is simply take a step in the right direction. And that step can be as simple as talking and listening to the young people in your parish or local community.

Read and reviewed by Erica Skerman