To Faithfully Respond to the Resurgence of Young Men and Women in the Church

Official Workbook overture source text

1-13 
To Faithfully Respond to the Resurgence  
of Young Men and Women in the Church 
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 men (“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, Other cultural sources including City Journal , The 
New York Times, New York Post, The Catholic Herald, USA Today, 
and Northeastern Global News have also, during 2024–25, reported 
a religious resurgence among young adults; and 
WHEREAS, While  minority reports contradict the above (e.g. , 
Pew Research Center and The Hill), many church workers and 
congregations have reported (anecdotally) the observation of a 
resurgence of young adults coming to church; 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; seeking structure, authenticity, and purpose amidst  
societal uncertainty; and 
WHEREAS, The Church trusts in the Lord’s promise “that for 
those who love God all things work together for good, for those who 
are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28); and 
WHEREAS, The prophet Joel proclaimed God’s Word about the 
last days, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out 
my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophecy, your 
old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 
Even on the male and female servants in those days, I will pour out 
my Spirit.” (Joel 2:28–29); and 
WHEREAS, St. Peter preached that the fulfillment of Joel’s 
prophecy began at Pentecost (Acts 2:17–18); 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, God commanded St. Timothy through St. Paul that 
the young disciple “Let no one despise [him] for  [his] youth” (1 
Tim. 4:12); and 
WHEREAS, Even in the face of numerical decline among our 
congregations as well as the general numerical decline among 
American Christian churches, not only are we to always be faithful 
to the Great Commission of our Lord while having fervent love for 
one another, but we ought also be cognizant of , and not surprised 
by, the Lord working revival within the Church M ilitant (the 
Reformation being a case in point); 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); 
therefore be it 
Resolved, That the S ynod in convention give thanks and praise 
to God for our young men and women in the c hurch and cherish 
them as among those who are carrying on the saving faith on earth; 
and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod appoint a task force to understand the 
greatest opportunities and challenges facing our  
young men and 
women for being regularly and frequently well fed and nourished 
through the Word and Sacraments  of Christ, for discovering how 
the church can best serve the practical needs of our young men and 
women in the three estates and in holy vocations, and for how our 
young men and women can be best equipped to be strong disciples 
of Christ, either as active laity or as called workers; and be it further 
Resolved
, That the findings of the task force not only be 
disseminated throughout the S ynod (e.g. , to all ordained and 
commissioned ministers, congregations, and districts), but that real 
recommendations be put forth on how we  
might provide 
encouragement, support, and resources for caring for and serving 
the young men and women in our  c hurch through the individual 
arms of the S ynod especially the Office of National Mission, 
educational institutions,  auxiliaries, and recognized service 
organizations; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm President 
Harrison’s urgency for us to reach out “to young men, women, and 
families who are increasingly drawn to our congregations because 
of our authentic biblical teaching and practice.  They want it, let’s 
give it to them.” (Matthew C. Harrison, “‘Abounding in the Word’: 
Looking Forward,” The Lutheran Witness , Dec. 29, 2025, 
witness.lcms.org/2025/abounding-in-the-word-looking-forward). 
Board for National Mission 
Ov.