By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

Survey a church, and odds are you won’t find many young adults. Those that can boast they have young adults probably don’t see them outside of Sunday worship. And some young adults who are involved in church are known less by their own names and more as somebody’s parent.

It’s not a great experience if you are between the ages of 18 to 35. What does church have to offer an unmarried young person who recently moved to town? Or a college student who is only there for four years? Or a couple with young kids who are more than just “mom” and “dad?”

We are the Future

The failing lies with both the church and the young adults themselves.

My fellow millennials (and Gen Z) we are just as much to blame. We invent excuses as to why we can’t attend on Sunday mornings. We don’t encourage churches to take an interest in us. We believe our fellow parishioners are more interested in our kids than in us. Honestly, we’ve become pretty ambivalent about the whole thing.

We need church just as much as church needs us. Hebrews 10:24-25 says:

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (KJV)

We are called to be in community with people of all ages. We are called to use our gifts and time for the church, for our fellow followers of Christ, and for the world. We need to stop believing the lie that church isn’t for us. I promise there is a place for us.

The Future is Now

Regardless of denomination, the church won’t have a future if we don’t step up and take responsibility. We aren’t the leaders of tomorrow; we’re the leaders of today. We need to get LOUD. We need to carve out a spot for ourselves now or there won’t be a spot later.

I know several young adults within my own denomination who are involved at the congregational, district, and denominational levels. It’s amazing to see them share their gifts and talents in these ways. Why are there so few though?

We can teach Sunday School classes just as well as older adults. We can sing in the choir, greet at the door, volunteer to lead worship services. It’s about visibility. The church needs to know we exist.

If you belong to a church, and they don’t have a young adult group, create one. Advertise it. Invite young adults from neighboring churches to join. In Matthew 18:20 Jesus tells us, “‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’” (KJV)

So let’s gather together, inviting our fellow millennials and Generation Z to take our place in the church, with Jesus there beside us.

Take Your Rightful Place

Church is for all ages, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. Be bold in your faith and stand up for yourself. With God’s help, we can make a way for young adults to be seen and heard in the church, to promote ideas to carry the church into tomorrow, and to deepen our own faith with the Lord.