Ep 31 - Our Generation Must Pick Up The Baton To Serve Teens
Manage episode 517357173 series 3578991
What if the most powerful youth ministry in London doesn’t start on a stage, but on a sofa? We dive into a hard truth: while many Christian communities are giving young people room to lead, London’s Adventist churches often lose teens right when they need belonging most. Rather than staying stuck in complaint mode, we unpack why this gap exists—migration out of the city, ageing leadership still carrying the load, and a church culture that can feel heavy—and how to rebuild with small, human steps.
We share the blueprint we’ve seen work: gather two or three, open a living room, and begin with worship, a question, and honest conversation. No theological degree required. Let teens choose topics, pass the mic, and watch trust grow. If the building feels intimidating, change the venue. If one church says no, collaborate across churches. From gospel roller skating to inter-church youth nights to discovery via Eventbrite, there are already seeds to connect with. Our task is to pick up the baton Generation X held for us and carry it forward with consistency, warmth, and cultural fluency.
Across the hour, we get practical about starting monthly, sharing responsibility, and preparing for pushback without losing heart. We talk about making space for those who’ve drifted, keeping the tone welcoming to people with questions, tattoos, or doubts, and choosing presence over production. We close with a prayer for courage and a challenge to act now, not later. If you care about youth ministry, London faith communities, Adventist youth, and building safe spaces that actually hold young people, this conversation is your nudge to begin.
If this resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who leads youth, and leave a review with your best small-start idea. Your suggestion might spark the next living-room revival.
Thank you for Listening
To ask us a question email us @ [email protected]
Chapters
1. Framing The Big Question (00:00:00)
2. Christians Versus Adventists In London (00:01:05)
3. Why London Is Falling Behind (00:03:10)
4. Moving Out And Passing The Baton (00:04:20)
5. Support Gaps And Small Starts (00:06:05)
6. Cross-Church Collaboration Revival (00:08:20)
7. House-Based Worship And Belonging (00:10:35)
8. Starting Without Expertise (00:13:20)
9. Consistency, Capacity And Safe Spaces (00:15:30)
10. Ideas From Wider Christian Events (00:19:45)
11. Learning From Generation X (00:22:30)
12. Owning The Work As Millennials (00:25:00)
13. From Noise To Purpose (00:27:20)
14. A Call To Begin Small (00:29:10)
15. Closing Prayer And Charge (00:31:20)
32 episodes