Youth today belong to the most lonely and anxious generation on record—and they’re drifting far away from the church as a result.
Aware of this, we launch new programs, flashier events, and social media strategies for our youth programs. We adjust our mission statements and re-brand our youth group, hoping that this alone will bring them back to the saving ark of the church and remedy the problems they face.
These solutions aren't inherently wrong but they can overlook the power of one simple act—the power of being named.
If we want our youth to be involved and find healing in our churches we must first learn their names.
They need to know the people of God are a people to which they are known.
Within the church they aren't another person, they are valued family members. Their name is known because they—as individual souls—matter. We don't just want them here because they belong to a certain demographic or neighborhood. We want them here because of who they uniquely are in all the ways they’re crafted and shaped by God.
The reason for this is simple.
To be named is to be known and to be known is to be loved.
This is why we are named upon our first arrival into the world.
As we draw our first breathe outside the womb of our mother we are named and our presence in this world is acknowledged. In our weakness, dependence, and first cries of life we are named and known because we are loved. When we learn the names of youth (and everyone else!) we are harkening back to our first moments of life with same message we first received.
I know your name because I know you and I know you because I love you.
You were first welcomed into your new life and new family with a name. Welcome now to the new life and family of faith where we know your name too. Come with your brokenness, weakness, dependence, and need. Bring it all and be loved just as you were at the beginning.
So never let a youth walk by you unnoticed or unnamed.
Go out of your way to learn their names and greet them by name.
Shout “Hello!” when you see them walking by, never letting them mindlessly walk by. Make sure they can't slip by without their presence—their personhood—being acknowledged.
This won’t fix all the problems we face but I can’t help but wonder whether this might be the best place to start.
One Book I’m Reading: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
Instead of advocating for a complete abdication of technology, Newport makes an excellent case for our responsible use of it. Anyone who feels overwhelmed by their phone and social media use would not regret reading this book. Here’s a few questions I’m now asking myself:
Is my phone use optimizing my life or distracting me from it? What needs to change?
Which apps make me more anxious?
Which ones pull me away from living in the present with those around me?
Good stuff, buddy!