Dear Editor,

There is a question the modern Church needs to ask itself honestly: Are we really preparing young people, or have we become more focused on filling pews?

This is not an argument against church attendance, worship services, programmes, or evangelism. These all have their place. The concern is whether we have placed so much emphasis on getting people into Church that we have neglected what should happen after they arrive.

One of the principles often missing from the modern Church is intentional development. People are encouraged to attend, participate, and become involved, but how much attention is given to helping them actually grow? Being present in Church does not automatically make someone more mature, responsible, or prepared to serve others. This is particularly important for young people.

We often hear concerns about young people losing interest in the Church, but perhaps we also need to examine how effectively the Church is engaging them beyond the traditional Sunday experience. Young people do not simply need programmes designed for them; they need relationships with mature adults who are willing to invest in them. This means listening to them, understanding the challenges they face, answering difficult questions, providing guidance, and allowing them to develop through meaningful experiences.

A young person should not have to wait until adulthood to be taken seriously within the Church. Too often young people are invited to attend, perform, sing, dance, or participate in youth activities, but are not necessarily given opportunities to contribute to decision-making, develop leadership skills, or take on meaningful responsibilities. If we genuinely want to prepare the next generation of church leaders, we have to give them more than a place in the audience. They need a place at the table.

Another area that deserves attention is mentorship. The Church has many experienced and accomplished people who could make a tremendous difference in the lives of younger members. Yet there is often no deliberate structure connecting those with experience to those who need guidance.

Mentorship should not be limited to discussions about faith. Young people need guidance about relationships, education, career, finance, personal responsibility, conflict resolution, leadership, decision-making, and navigating a rapidly changing society. The Church can provide a valuable support system in these areas without trying to replace parents, schools, or other institutions.

There is also a need for greater intergenerational connection. In some churches, young people and older members operate almost as separate communities. The young have their activities, the adults have theirs, and meaningful interaction between the generations can become limited. This is a missed opportunity.

Young people can learn from the experiences of older generations, while older members can gain a better understanding of the realities facing young people today. The Church should be one of the places where generations learn from one another.

We also need to reconsider how we respond when young people make mistakes. If the church is serious about developing people, then discipline cannot always mean removal, rejection, or public embarrassment. Accountability is necessary, but so are guidance, restoration, and opportunities to improve. Young people are still developing. Mistakes should become opportunities for growth rather than automatic reasons to push people away.

Another missing principle is succession planning. Many churches have capable leaders who have served faithfully for decades, but there is not always a clear plan for who comes next. We sometimes celebrate longevity without asking whether those in leadership are deliberately developing people who can eventually carry the responsibility forward. Every leader should be asking: Who am I preparing? If the answer is nobody, then we should not be surprised when leadership transitions become difficult.

The church does not only need more people sitting in pews. It needs a culture that intentionally develops people— and especially young people — to become capable, responsible, and committed contributors to the life of the Church and the wider society.

Ricardo E Smith

Senior educator and social scientist

ricardo.professional.edu@gmail.com