6 Ways to Invest in the Next Generation of the Church

As Christians, we often wonder what the future holds for the Church. Between declining church attendance nationwide, shifting cultural norms, the rising influence of social media and the entertainment industry, and alternate gospels peddled by false churches, it’s easy to become fearful and discouraged as we look to the future and ask, “What’s next for the church?” Is there any hope?

The Bible reminds us that God has a plan for His Church, and we have a part to play in passing the torch of faith to a new generation. We find some of these reminders in 2 Timothy, where  Paul writes to a discouraged Timothy, and by way of him, writes to us to answer those same questions, give us hope, and instruct us how to equip and encourage the next generations to carry the torch of faith forward.

Here are six ways we can invest in what's next for the Church:

1. Pray for the Next Generations

Paul recognized that any change he wanted to affect on the next generation began with prayer. Many of us do a lot more complaining about the next generations than we do praying for them. Instead of merely lamenting the state of our young people, let’s commit to praying for them– if possible, by name. Imagine the impact of faithfully praying and asking God to strengthen the next generation’s faith, resolve, and continued involvement and growth in the church. Paul models this by constantly praying for Timothy’s needs, development and faithfulness (2 Tim. 1:3), and his prayers were instrumental in Timothy's development as a leader.

2. Encourage the Lord's Calling

One of the things that Paul did really well in his ministry was building up leaders and reminding them of their calling (2 Tim. 1:6). Rather than seeing others as a threat to our position or influence, we are called to create opportunities for others to start taking increasing levels of responsibility and influence.

Investing in what's next is not only asking how you can step up and grow as a leader, but it's also asking, “Who can I bring alongside me to learn and grow in this way too?”. Because even if we can do the job ourselves (which is always easiest), there may be a greater blessing in fanning the flame of someone else and being part of helping the next generation step into what God is calling them to do.

3. Give Them a Pattern to Follow

We can also learn from Paul in how he didn’t just create opportunities to bring others alongside him in ministry, and then just walk away. Instead, he laid out an example of words, actions, and faith for Timothy and others to imitate (2 Tim 1:13-14). By going first and laying out a path, it gives the next generation a clear model of where and how to walk, especially during times of discouragement or overwhelm.

Paul’s pattern for Timothy included truth, sound doctrine, faith, the love of Jesus shown through outward actions, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. In the same way, our lives should serve as a pattern of what it looks like to follow Christ and to trust him in all seasons and circumstances. Are we modeling an honest pursuit of Christ? Are we letting the next generation see how even if we stumble along the way, we can still follow Christ? Do we show how the Holy Spirit is changing us? The next generation is watching. Let’s show them a pattern to follow, for the sake of strengthening them, and the larger church through them.

4. Prepare Them to Multiply Faithful Disciples

Paul argues that making disciples who are unashamed of the gospel is the key to helping the church to endure (2 Tim 2:1-2). In order for the gospel message to have a lasting impact for generations to come, Paul understood that he needed to teach gospel to others, and then train up and multiply hard-working disciples that could continue to pass the torch of faith.

Likewise, we all have the responsibility to help pass on what we know, not just so future generations have the information, not even just so that they believe, but so that they can rise up to where they then help raise up others too, because that's the sort of church that endures.

5. Challenge Them to Counter the Culture

In Timothy's churches, toxic voices were finding an audience with the more vulnerable members of the church that were caught in their sin. They were chasing what felt good to them, their passions, and they were undecided on what was really true. The same could be said of our culture today.

From pop music to Tik Tok, YouTubers, podcasters, and even kids TV shows, voices from the larger culture can easily creep in and attempt to confuse us as to what is really true, beautiful, and good and instead, try to sell us a lie. Paul warns us to avoid such people (2 Tim 3:2) and to teach the next generation to see beneath the glitz and the glamor and the truth under the lies.

We need to help our next generations learn to question the narrative that's being sold, but also give them a better one, drawn from a better source: God’s Word. Rather than simply sheltering or isolating, we need to train them to take away the teaching authority of these figures by teaching them to ask good questions, think for themselves, and compare these messages to Scripture (2 Tim 3:16-17). God's Word is given to us as a guide, and through it He has shown us what is true, what is best, what is beautiful, and what is good. Through His Word and the gift of Jesus, He's given us all that we need to become more like Christ and less like the world.

6. Prepare Them to Finish Well

Even when people don't listen, even when people reject us and fall away, we must train the next generations to persevere. Even in Timothy’s day, Paul recognized that a “time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions…” (2 Tim 4:3).

Paul understood that people will let you down, losses will come, and setbacks will happen. The church has always had to deal with this and always will. In spite of these disappointments, it is crucial that we help the next generations set right expectations so that when times of discouragement come, we still have reason for hope and strength to keep going.

Ultimately, we are called to preach the word, to be ready in and out of season, and fulfill our ministry. We must remember that faithfulness to God is not dependent on results that we can see, but obedience to the mission He has set before us. It is through following this guide and this mission that at the end of our lives we can say with Paul that we have “fought the good fight, [we] have finished the race, [we] have kept the faith.” (2 Tim 4:7-8).

Passing the Torch of Faith

Ultimately, the church’s path forward is not reliant on a new tool, marketing strategy, or technology, but rather on returning to Christ and faithfully doing the things we’ve always needed to do.

As you consider passing on the torch of faith, consider who God has entrusted to you to pray for, encourage their calling, give a pattern, prepare to multiply, challenge to counter the culture, and prepare to finish well? If you want to invest in what’s next for the church, don’t lose hope. Jesus said that Hell’s gates could not prevail against the church, so let’s keep going all the way until the end. Fight the good fight, keep running the race, keep the faith, pass it on.

This blog is based on a sermon by Pastor Derick Zeulner at South Shores Church in Dana Point, CA on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

Derick Zeulner earned his M.A. in Theology at Talbot and is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry degree. He has been involved in full-time ministry at South Shores Church since 2005. Derick and his wife, Rebecca, have four children: Hutch, Oakes, Avonlea, and Shiloh. Outside the church, Derick is an assistant coach for a local water polo club and loves watching each of his own kids surpass him in speed and skills.