Res. 1-09 — To Promote Ministry Among Youth and Young Adults

WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded His Church to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching the baptized (Matt. 28:19–20), and to raise up successive generations in the faith; and

WHEREAS, The Church has the responsibility to understand and live out the variety of gifts given to the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:4–31); and

WHEREAS, Even in the face of many challenges, the Lord assures His Church that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17), and that “[God] desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4); and

WHEREAS, The Synod, through the Office of National Mission (ONM) (LCMS Youth Ministry in particular), has conducted research to help congregations better understand and retain Millennials, notably publishing Relationships Count: Engaging & Retaining Millennials (Concordia Publishing House [CPH], 2020), a three-phase research project that used surveys and focus groups to gain a deeper understanding of retention rates of young people in the Synod which informed the creation of the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry (which provides resources and encouragement [youthesource.com/seven-practices]) to families, LCMS congregations, and church workers; and

WHEREAS, Broader, nationally representative research shows important context about the religious lives of American adolescents: as of a 2020 Pew Research Center study, about 63 percent of U.S. teenagers (ages 13–17) identify as Christian, compared with a higher share (72 percent) among their parents; a small set (4 percent) of U.S. teenagers (ages 13– 17) are affiliated with non-Christian faiths; and fully a third (32 percent) of U.S. teenagers are religiously unaffiliated; additionally, Pew found that roughly four in ten U.S. teens report attending religious services at least once or twice a month, with about one-third reporting weekly attendance, and that the attendance of both teenagers and their parents is mostly identical, percentage-wise; this data highlights both the continuing presence of faith among many teenagers and the pastoral challenge of forming regular worship and faith practices among them and their families (“Religious affiliation among American adolescents,” pewresearch.org/religion/2020/09/10/religious-affiliation-among-american-adolescents, accessed March 20, 2026); and

WHEREAS, A new generational cohort, commonly labeled Generation Alpha (roughly children born beginning around 2010), is coming of age in cultural and technological circumstances that differ from Millennials and Generation Z; and understanding Generation Alpha’s particular formation patterns, media ecosystems, family structures, and religious orientations will help the Synod equip pastors, teachers, and other church workers to help them and their families to grow in the Christian faith and piety; and

WHEREAS, The Barna Group reported in the fall of this past year a significant, surprising resurgence in Christian faith and church attendance led by young adults (“New Barna Data: Young Adults Lead a Resurgence in Church Attendance,” Barna, Sept. 2, 2025, barna.com/research/young-adults-lead-resurgence-in-church-attendance); and

WHEREAS, Many of these reports point to cultural circumstances possibly accounting for the resurgence, including a stronger sense of mortality after the pandemic; the desire for meaningful community in the face of increased cultural isolationism; valuing clear moral frameworks; and seeking structure, authenticity, and purpose amidst societal uncertainty;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks and praise to God for the young men and women in the church and cherish them as among those who are carrying on the saving faith on earth; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for the faithful service of pastors, teachers, other church workers, youth workers, congregational leaders, and volunteers throughout the Synod, and commend to the church’s continued prayer and support those who labor to bring the Gospel to our young people and to form them in the life of the church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for the work of Synod districts, LCMS Youth Ministry, Synod camps, CPH, Higher Things, and other entities serving young men and women; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod direct the ONM, through LCMS Youth Ministry and in cooperation with LCMS Rosters, Statistics, and Research Services, Synod’s congregations, schools, families and assisted by applicable partners and RSOs, to undertake or commission a focused, methodologically rigorous study of the Millennials, Generation Z, and Generation Alpha that identifies (1) patterns of religious identity and practice, and (2) formative influences (i.e., family, school, digital media, peers); and be it finally

Resolved, That the ONM then publicize a summary of findings, along with a set of practical resources and concrete strategies that prioritize catechesis, regular worship participation, Lutheran doctrine and practice, parental support, and joyful involvement in the life of the Body of Christ, so that congregations and schools of all sizes may apply the findings in local ministry contexts.