WHEREAS, research concerning the evangelization of the millennial generation has indicated that an unacceptably low percentage of the current teenage population in the United States will identify themselves to be evangelical Christians by the age of twenty, leading to significant implications for the future of the Church;
WHEREAS, the millennial generation, representing the largest teen population in American history, is immersed in a culture that discourages the recognition of our traditional Judeo-Christian heritage, adherence to strong moral values, and the importance of the local church;
WHEREAS, the epidemic of young people leaving the evangelical Church indicates the need for committed and strategic planning as well as creative and innovative approaches in youth ministry for the 21st century;
WHEREAS, we desire to create youth ministry opportunities within the National Association of Evangelicals to facilitate passionate discipleship, compelling vision, senior pastors who are engaged, youth pastors who are equipped, the transformation of the messages of the secular media, and the mobilization of the Body of Christ;
WHEREAS, we recognize that the inherent factors of success are awareness and education; training and equipping; evangelism and growth; as well as community and discipleship for students, lay leaders, youth pastors, senior pastors, and denominational executives;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE, the National Association of Evangelicals, adopt the following as the core tenets to achieve widespread evangelization of our teen population and seek to utilize the following as a framework for effective youth ministry in the 21st century:
1. Mobilize effective intercessory prayer for this generation, seeking God’s direction as we proactively reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Cast vision to local churches, encouraging them to dream, plan, and build effective ministries to youth, and fostering stronger connections between local churches in denominations and their national youth ministry programs.
3. Highlight the plight of this generation in denominational literature and through other communication methods.
4. Utilize the platform of organizational conferences, assemblies, and other events to raise awareness of the issues facing this generation and recognize those leaders who are working to reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
5. Energize the evangelical community—parents and adults of all ages—to accept their responsibility for the spiritual health and well-being of the young people in their sphere of influence, providing practical opportunities for their engagement in youth ministry.