We asked a group of young people from across the LCANZ about church, faith, belonging and leadership. The responses below represent a cross-section of their reflections, highlighting the importance of relationships, invitations to participate, meaningful responsibility and communities where young people are known, heard and valued.
BELONGING BEGINS WITH BEING KNOWN
‘I feel like I belong when people know my name and I have someone to sit with during church. My sense of belonging increases when things are happening during the week that are specifically aimed at my interests and stage of life, helping me build friendships and deepen connections.’
Kelsey, 26, St Paul’s Caboolture Qld
‘The feeling of belonging in my church comes down to so many things. It has included having conversations and cuppas after a service, being involved in church or wider community activities and groups, and being able to discuss one’s faith openly while being supported to continually grow in Christ.’
Ian, 25, Bethlehem Adelaide SA
‘I feel I truly belong when the church feels like home, a place where I am embraced and accepted simply for being there. For me, true belonging starts with a simple welcome, but it also goes beyond this. It means feeling deeply known, loved, supported and cared for, exactly as I am.’
Jayden, 23, Our Saviour Rochedale Qld
SOMETIMES WE NEED AN INVITATION
‘It would be nice if older members had more of a relationship with teenagers and young adults so those mentoring relationships could develop. We need an invitation. Sometimes it’s too hard to ask, or it seems like older members think they should do everything themselves or expect us to volunteer. Sometimes we just need an invitation to help out, serve or lead.’
Jenna, 19, Our Saviour Aberfoyle Park SA
‘Young people want opportunities to contribute and lead now, rather than being seen only as the future of the church or being looked upon as “too young”.’
Jess, 23, Our Saviour Aberfoyle Park SA
‘The church makes an effort to listen to young people’s ideas, but at times I still feel like we get pushed aside or treated like we are younger than we are. Over the past 18 months, with mentoring from senior congregation members, we have grown a young adult ministry to around 20 to 30 regulars.’
Sam, 19, St John’s Tea Tree Gully SA
RELATIONSHIPS MATTER
‘Young people are interested in discipleship, and the way to disciple them is through intentional relationships and authentic connection. There is no “secret sauce” for building that relationship, but young people are not a mystery or unknowable demographic. See them and connect with them as you would anyone else, and you’ve cracked the code!’
Aiden, 24, Our Saviour Rochedale Qld
‘I wish the church better understood the value young people place on authentic relationships over scheduled programs. Many young people desire genuine connection and want to see faith in action. We care deeply about others and want to see the church step outside its walls to serve the wider community.’
Jessica, 21, St Michael’s Hahndorf SA
‘The congregation doesn’t treat us any differently, and people genuinely want to get to know me.’
Daniel, 19, St Paul’s Christchurch Burwood NZ
THERE IS NO SINGLE ‘YOUNG PERSON’
‘I wish the church better understood how overwhelming life is between school, work and extracurricular activities, and the difficulties of balancing church with these things. Also, in general, rising mental health conditions and neurodivergence, and how they affect young people.’
Sam, 16, St John’s Perth WA
‘Not everyone is the same, with the same interests and serving capabilities.’
Rachel, 23, Good Shepherd Para Vista SA
‘Young people love and crave traditional worship. My particular church does a great job of this, but a majority of the young Christians I speak to wish their church was more traditional in its worship styles.’
Lauren, 22, Bethlehem Adelaide SA
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ALREADY SERVING
‘The church is trusting of us as young people and provides us with a space where we can be fulfilled and fulfil our calling in ministry. Young people are in the Lutheran Church. We aren’t necessarily in every single congregation, but there are pockets where youth and young adult ministries are thriving.’
Bethany, 23, Golden Grove SA
‘I’m involved in our church band, which I absolutely love. It allows me to play with others in the church I probably wouldn’t usually talk to, and it makes me feel seen and known. Our young adult group has also allowed us to express who we are as Christians to others from outside our church who have come along.’
Alyssa, 20, St John’s Tea Tree Gully SA
‘We want to stay connected within our church. I am blessed to be part of the barbecue team and use my gifts to serve others and stay connected with the congregation.’
Noah, 15, St Petri Nuriootpa SA
THERE ARE SIGNS OF HOPE
‘Seeing new faces at youth camps and youth group, where I can see them making lifelong connections and steadily growing in their faith, gives me hope. When a teenager you’ve led on camps for three years answers a Bible study question with such profound understanding that you reflect on your own interpretations, you can see the work of God shining through.’
Gwen, 25, St John’s Perth WA
‘Initiatives like Ignite at Luther College that are run by young people for young people give me hope for the future of the church.’
Sylvia, 25, St Paul’s Box Hill Vic
‘What gives me hope are the amazing youth and teens at my church.’
Georgia, 23, Wyndham Hobsons Bay Tarneit Vic
The responses reveal young people who care deeply about the church and want to be part of its life. They want to be known, invited, listened to and trusted. Often, engaging younger generations begins with something simple: a welcome, a conversation, an invitation or a willingness to walk alongside one another in faith.
What helps you feel that you belong?
Among the 26 responses:
- 17 mentioned warm relationships, welcome or feeling known.
- 12 mentioned peers or people at a similar stage of life.
- 11 mentioned opportunities to participate, serve or use their gifts.
Belonging was the strongest theme to emerge from the survey.
‘Sometimes we just need an invitation to help out, serve or lead.’
Jenna, 19, Our Saviour Aberfoyle Park SA
What does the church do well in supporting young people?
Among the 26 responses:
- 15 highlighted youth groups, camps or young adult ministries.
- Many also mentioned encouragement from older members.
- Others valued opportunities to lead, serve and contribute.
Young people consistently recognised the importance of spaces where faith and relationships can grow.
