Welcoming the Future Church
How to Reach, Teach, and Engage Young Adults
About
Tomorrow's church is out there, waiting for you to care, to reach out, to understand their struggles, and to show them why today's church needs, wants, and cherishes them. Yet many churches have no idea how to attract and retain younger generations. In this paradigm-shifting book, Jonathan "JP" Pokluda shows you how, encouraging and equipping you to
· be real
· teach the whole truth
· hold traditions loosely
· find young leaders
· give the ministry away
· and so much more
If you want your church to have a future, you have to be actively reaching the future church.
"When it comes to the next generation and the call to adulting, nobody does it better than Jonathan 'JP' Pokluda. That's why I am grateful he is pulling back the curtain and sharing the script on his ministry to young adults."--Kyle Idleman, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church and author of Not a Fan and Don't Give Up
"Learn from one of the greatest practitioners I have ever met who will prophetically remind you of truths that work, not only for the rising generations but for all people."--Todd Wagner, senior pastor of Watermark Community Church and author of Come and See
"JP is watching the next generation come back to the church, and this book will help you engage in the same work."--Jennie Allen, author of Nothing to Prove and founder and visionary of IF:Gathering
Jonathan "JP" Pokluda is lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, and former leader of The Porch, where he saw the ministry grow from 150 to more than 7,000 young adults. The author of the bestselling Welcome to Adulting, Pokluda came to understand the grace of the gospel in his early twenties, which ignited a desire in him to reach people in their twenties and thirties for Christ. He lives with his wife, Monica, and their three children.
Endorsements
"When it comes to the next generation and the call to adulting, nobody does it better than Jonathan 'JP' Pokluda. That's why I am grateful he is pulling back the curtain and sharing the script on his ministry to young adults. In Welcoming the Future Church, we learn not simply to reach and teach but to listen and receive. Killing the hero, celebrating feedback, bringing energy, and playing Farkle are notions we can all consider and implement. (Although I would recommend Kan Jam over Farkle.) As a pastor and a father to young adults, I'm thankful for JP's wisdom."
Kyle Idleman, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church and author of Not a Fan and Don't Give Up
"In Welcoming the Future Church, you can learn from one of the greatest practitioners I have ever met who will prophetically remind you of truths that work, not only for the rising generations but for all people. Dive in and dedicate yourself to this book, and you will be welcomed to a more effective future ministry."
Todd Wagner, senior pastor of Watermark Community Church and author of Come and See
"I believe in this generation rising up, using their gifts in a local church, and being unleashed into the world as a force for the kingdom of God. JP is watching the next generation come back to the church, and this book will help you engage in the same work."
Jennie Allen, author of Nothing to Prove and founder and visionary of IF:Gathering
"Wow. JP has written a stellar book here. There isn't much more of a pressing issue than raising up faithful, Jesus-following, and Jesus-loving leaders of the next generation, but not many are equipping us or showing us how to do it like JP. I am grateful for this resource and the impact it will have on generations to come!"
Jefferson Bethke, New York Times bestselling author of Jesus > Religion
"I couldn't recommend this book more highly. I don't know a person alive who has more experience and expertise in leading and unleashing young adults to build the future of the church! This book is a resource today's church desperately needs to read and apply."
David Marvin, leader of The Porch
"Welcoming the Future Church is a must-read manifesto. As a leader in the trenches, JP helps us not only understand this generation but equips us in unlocking their potential for greater mission."
David Nasser, pastor, author, and university leader
"This leader and these leadership principles changed my life forever and redirected my time, talent, and treasure to be leveraged wholeheartedly for God's kingdom. It has been the privilege of my life to have a front-row seat watching God's mighty work through JP in the lives of thousands of young adults."
Greg Crooks, executive pastor of Watermark Community Church
"Most content on the next generation is just research and statistics. But not this book. This is one of the most practical toolkits for engaging the next generation I have seen. It's a behind-the-scenes look at what made the largest young adult ministry in the nation what it is today. If you're a pastor considering next-gen engagement, it doesn't make sense not to read this."
Grant Skeldon, founder of Initiative Network
"Here is a resource that will compel you to replace fear with faith when contemplating the trajectory of Jesus's church. I trust this book because I trust the author. JP truly is one of the most godly, wise, passionate, and strategic leaders I know. I am so grateful that one of the most effective leaders of young adults has written a book on leading young adults."
Timothy Ateek, executive director of Breakaway Ministries
"If you want to learn and lead young adults, learn from and be led by JP. There is no greater leader, visionary, or mission-minded pastor of young adults than Jonathan Pokluda. God has gifted him with an understanding, a voice, and a heroic kingdom vision that is deploying the young adult population in world-changing ways. And now, from a desire to see the church flourish and Christ be exalted, he is giving that expertise and learning away to all in Welcoming the Future Church."
John Elmore, director of community and re:generation, Watermark Community Church
"At Passion, I have spent much of my life watching and influencing the up-and-coming generation. Over the years, I have learned so much from watching and knowing JP, and I believe that the wisdom of this book will help you be better positioned to help serve and lead the future church."
Brad Jones, Atlanta City pastor, Passion City Church
The Authors
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Andrew Riddle Jonathan Pokluda
Jonathan "JP" Pokluda is lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, and former leader of The Porch, where he saw the ministry grow from 150 to more than 7,000 young adults. The author of the bestselling Welcome to Adulting...
Continue reading about Jonathan Pokluda
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Luke Friesen
Luke Friesen is director of operations at Watermark Community Church and has been involved with The Porch for more than ten years as an attendee, volunteer, and staff member. As an editor and contributor to The Porch blog, he's collaborated with JP on a number...
Continue reading about Luke Friesen