We noticed an article in USA Today on Dec 19, 2014 entitled: "How churches can attract younger people". This article essentially touts some ideas offered by Naomi Schaefer Riley, author of the new book Got Religion?: How Churches, Mosques, and Synagogues Can Bring Young People Back. As Riley researched youthful congregations, she found a few things. In many congregations, leadership roles automatically go to older people. But "most of the responsibilities associated with religious communities are all things 25-year-olds are perfectly capable of doing." Ask twenty somethings to take on the responsibility to lead most volunteer initiatives, and “you just might see more coming into the fold”. We cannot agree more. Yes older adults may be more forthright in actively volunteering, but church leaders should make a point to include younger folk as well. As a suggestion, have an older congregant and a younger congregate co-chair their respective committee. It’s likely that each one of these co-chairs will learn much from the other.
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