“The next generation of children and future leaders don’t need a program. They need a model of church that fosters an environment where relationship is more important than program—an environment where the church is an attractive alternative to culture.” This is how David Pinkston, senior pastor of Pasadena Foursquare Church in Southern California, sees the challenge of reaching the next generation, or NextGen.

David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group, suggests that in order to reach teens and younger children and foster sustainable faith, NextGen ministry needs to develop significant bridges to parents; develop a personalized, relational approach; and focus on helping young people develop their ability to process the complexities of life from a biblical viewpoint.

The Barna Group’s 2010 “The State of the Church & Family Report” noted what they call a “red flag” when assessing the church’s effectiveness in bridging with parents. The report found that 75 percent of parents surveyed had no idea how the church can help support the family, and if churches have a family ministry strategy, most people didn’t understand it.

Melinda Kinsman, children’s pastor at Beaverton Foursquare Church in Beaverton, Ore., has found an effective way to involve and educate parents using the “Faith At Home” model developed by Mark Holmen. Melinda explains that children’s ministers need to step into a whole new set of shoes and see their role primarily as one that resources parents—making time to sit down with parents and plan with them.

At Beaverton Foursquare, the NextGen ministry holds regular “Take It Home” events, where moms and dads are given an opportunity to participate with their children in the Sunday program. Parents accompany their children to kid’s church for a time of worship and interactive lessons. Using an open house model, the children’s ministry team inspires and encourages parents with ideas and resources to teach and lead their children in the home.

“We see that so many parents have never opened the Bible with their children at home,” Melinda tells Foursquare.org. “The open house is a time where teachers can model to parents how to disciple their children.”

The Tween Crowd

But what about tweens? They are bombarded by a consumer market that relentlessly targets 8- to 12 year olds with images of what is hip and popular; friends and status are some of their biggest concerns. They respond to “cool.”

Brian Goodell, senior pastor of The Bridge (San Mateo Foursquare Church) in San Mateo, Calif., echoes the common cliché, “If you build it, they will come.” He recommends creating a separate environment that helps students at this age form a positive identity and builds an atmosphere that communicates how important tweens are. Brian suggests making a space that is “cool” for pre-teens—a space where they want to go and where they will feel unique and wanted.

“You would be surprised how little money it takes create a cool environment that is inviting to their tastes,” says Brian. He and his wife shop in thrift stores for inexpensive decorations and use paint that matches the bright colors like those seen on Nickelodeon.

Peer pressure is probably one of the greatest challenges our tweens face. It’s vital that churches cultivate an atmosphere where tweens can grapple with the tough questions and complexities they face in their everyday lives.

Judy Morelli, children’s ministry director at New Life Church (Santa Barbara Foursquare Church) in Santa Barbara, Calif., ministers with the understanding that God’s Word can become alive in the hearts of tweens, and the application can be played out in real scenarios. She concludes her lessons with these questions: “How are you going to be different because of what you heard or read today?” and “How will God’s Word today play out in your school and in your home tomorrow?”

She tells the story of one tween girl who was being teased about her jeans because they weren’t “cool.” After reading the Bible and journaling, the girl came to her own decision to forgive her friends, just like Jesus would have done.

“I didn’t teach her a lesson,” Judy explains, “but she was transformed by her interaction with the Word of God and came to her own conclusion. She wasn’t just hearing a lesson, but she was grabbing ahold of her own faith and living it out.”