A Southern Baptist youth pastor, an Orthodox priest and a Catholic bishop walk into a hotel lobby together...
Sounds like the beginning of a joke, right?
But, it's what actually happened when 300 representatives from more than 100 Christ-centered youth ministry organizations walked into the same hotel lobby in Chicago this fall. You would be hard pressed to find a more diverse, research-driven, gospel-focused effort that paints the picture of what Jesus prays for His Church in John 1.
The gathering included over 20 denominations united by a single vision to see faith matter more to ten million teenagers over the next ten years. Why bring so many groups together? Because what is no joke is this: next year alone, over one million teenagers will leave the Church after they graduate.
We Aim To Change That Staggering Projection
I say "we" because NNYM is a key partner in a new initiative to reverse the trend of Gen Z leaving the church. After nearly three years of strategic conversations and collaborations, the TENx10 Collaboration fficially launched on 10.10.23 at 10:10am CST and the 10-year countdown has officially begun.
As we look into ways that today's youth leaders can be discipled and equipped to disciple today's teenagers, NNYM has a seat at the TENx10 table.
Join the Movement And Be The Leader Gen Z Needs
In a time where we are hearing a lot about people, both young and old, "deconstructing" their faith, allow me to encourage you. Perhaps, instead of deconstruction, the Church needs "remodeling" to better engage the next generation of young people. And that is what TENx10 is doing.
This is kind of a big deal, and I encourage you-as a leader in YOUR community-to take a few minutes to visit TENx10.org and learn what this is all about.
P.S. I also invite you to listen to Holy Post's special short series, Are the Kids Alright? You'll hear some of the voices shaping the conversation.
P.P.S. Click below to listen to our recent Free Refills podcast with Phil Ball on this subject of making faith matter more for the next generation.
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Phil Ball is the Northwest Regional Coordinator and part of the NNYM Training Team. He loves connecting with and mentoring youth leaders to encourage them to have an impact in the lives of students and the communities they serve.
