What do you think?
Rate this book
Welcoming the Future Church: How to Reach, Teach, and Engage Young Adults
If you're not reaching the future of the church, your church has no future. As much sting as that statement has, it's hard to argue with. Yet many churches have no idea how to attract and retain younger generations.
If you want to understand how to reach, teach, and empower young adults in your church, Jonathan "JP" Pokluda is ready to show you how. Sharing stories of successes and failures during his years of ministering to Millennials, JP offers you transferable principles that will help you mobilize the next generation toward Jesus. He encourages and equips you to
- be real
- teach the whole truth
- hold traditions loosely
- find young leaders
- give the ministry away
- and so much more
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.
If you want to understand how to reach, teach, and empower young adults in your church, Jonathan "JP" Pokluda is ready to show you how. Sharing stories of successes and failures during his years of ministering to Millennials, JP offers you transferable principles that will help you mobilize the next generation toward Jesus. He encourages and equips you to
- be real
- teach the whole truth
- hold traditions loosely
- find young leaders
- give the ministry away
- and so much more
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.
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 17, 2020
37 people are currently reading
1146 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan "JP" Pokluda
15 books540 followersJonathan “JP” Pokluda is the Lead Pastor of a 145 year old Baptist church in Waco, TX, Harris Creek. Prior to moving to Waco in 2019, he was previously the leader of the largest weekly young adult gathering in the country. Although JP was raised in church, he didn’t come to understand the grace of the Gospel until his early twenties. This ignited a desire in him to inspire the next generation to radically follow Jesus Christ and unleash them to change the world. He spends a lot of time helping older generations understand and disciple younger generations.
JP is the author of several best-selling books, including Welcome to Adulting, Outdated, and his most recent release Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do?, a book written to help readers of all ages replace deadly vices with life-changing virtues.
JP and Monica, his partner in ministry, have been married since 2004. Together they have the joy and privilege of discipling their children Presley, Finley, and Weston.
JP is the author of several best-selling books, including Welcome to Adulting, Outdated, and his most recent release Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do?, a book written to help readers of all ages replace deadly vices with life-changing virtues.
JP and Monica, his partner in ministry, have been married since 2004. Together they have the joy and privilege of discipling their children Presley, Finley, and Weston.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 3, 2021
Jonathan Pokluda is one of the most gifted communicators I’ve experienced in my entire life and this book does a great job explaining how the ministry he lead (The Porch) grew from 150 to over 7,000.
One of the main takeaways from the book is the importance of church leaders developing and engaging young adults with a heroic vision for their lives, passions, and pursuits. This is illustrated by how he approaches volunteers at The Porch- they don’t just serve as seaters, greatest, or a parking team every Tuesday night. They are striving to be both excellent hosts and expert evangelists. They are to do the work of ministry.
As a gifted communicator, Pokluda also gives detailed insights as to how he structures sermons. His aim of being authentic, compelling, and ability to receive honest feedback is very helpful when approaching teaching the Word of God.
Overall: Great takeaways from an excellent leader and teacher. Highly recommend to those who have a sphere of influence with Young Adults.
One of the main takeaways from the book is the importance of church leaders developing and engaging young adults with a heroic vision for their lives, passions, and pursuits. This is illustrated by how he approaches volunteers at The Porch- they don’t just serve as seaters, greatest, or a parking team every Tuesday night. They are striving to be both excellent hosts and expert evangelists. They are to do the work of ministry.
As a gifted communicator, Pokluda also gives detailed insights as to how he structures sermons. His aim of being authentic, compelling, and ability to receive honest feedback is very helpful when approaching teaching the Word of God.
Overall: Great takeaways from an excellent leader and teacher. Highly recommend to those who have a sphere of influence with Young Adults.
May 20, 2020
My Rating - Probably not worth your time
Level - Easy, short book
Summary
I'm struggling to summarize this book, partly because I didn't like to very much and I think he missed the mark. His goal to to explain to church leaders how to reach young adults. There is an intro which is about Millennials, then three sections of the book - teach, engage, deploy - each with subchapters, followed by a conclusion.
The teach section is actually fairly interesting and is about how he puts his messages (sermons) together. Engage is more or less a revamped seeker-sensitive plan from the 90's. Deploy is how he runs his ministry, which is helpful for people involved in church, but again, pretty well follows the 'attractional' model of a few decades ago, and sadly never mentions discipleship.
My Thoughts
Pokluda tries to use the subtitle 'reach, teach, engage' (this doesn't match the three section of the book, but like was likely a publishers decision) young adults, but I'm not sure it worked. I suppose, overall, the book is about reaching young adults, as he is a young adult minister or leads this ministry at his church. However, I think it is problematic to use both a generational moniker (Millenials) and to say 'young adults'. I understand why he did this, but in 10-20 years, the young adults will be a different generation. Also, I don't see anything unique to Millenials, with the possible exception that we are getting married/having kids later. This is a somewhat interesting issue, driven partly by the unfortunate need that in the modern U.S. economy, a college degree is basically entry level, and partly because the Church spent a whole generation arguing about who should married (whether Christian or not) instead of explaining the meaning and importance of marriage, and finally the skyrocketing divorce rate we observed from our parents (boomers) generation.
Overall, the book missed the mark. I suppose for church leaders of older churches, there could be some useful information, but as I mentioned above, it is mostly 'attractional' model church building with the focus on numbers. I find some of interesting, but didn't realize the book would be so programmatic. I thought the purpose of the book would be different (and this is on me for literally judging the book by it's cover), focusing on the 'future' church in more a ethnic/nationality change. While most of the people on the cover are hipsters, they are fairly diverse. I know the future church (in America, this is already the case worldwide) will be non-white, and first generation Americans, as white America continues to liberalize and leave the church. As I said, that was my mistake, but I was expecting demographic data, not church programming.
I liked 'Adulting', the author's first book, and Pokluda is a good writer, clear and engaging, and he was some solid thoughts in this book, but I just don't think it was ready for publication. Or the publishers took his ideas in a different direction. Either way, I don't see this book as really worth your time.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
More reviews at MondayMorningTheologian.com
Level - Easy, short book
Summary
I'm struggling to summarize this book, partly because I didn't like to very much and I think he missed the mark. His goal to to explain to church leaders how to reach young adults. There is an intro which is about Millennials, then three sections of the book - teach, engage, deploy - each with subchapters, followed by a conclusion.
The teach section is actually fairly interesting and is about how he puts his messages (sermons) together. Engage is more or less a revamped seeker-sensitive plan from the 90's. Deploy is how he runs his ministry, which is helpful for people involved in church, but again, pretty well follows the 'attractional' model of a few decades ago, and sadly never mentions discipleship.
My Thoughts
Pokluda tries to use the subtitle 'reach, teach, engage' (this doesn't match the three section of the book, but like was likely a publishers decision) young adults, but I'm not sure it worked. I suppose, overall, the book is about reaching young adults, as he is a young adult minister or leads this ministry at his church. However, I think it is problematic to use both a generational moniker (Millenials) and to say 'young adults'. I understand why he did this, but in 10-20 years, the young adults will be a different generation. Also, I don't see anything unique to Millenials, with the possible exception that we are getting married/having kids later. This is a somewhat interesting issue, driven partly by the unfortunate need that in the modern U.S. economy, a college degree is basically entry level, and partly because the Church spent a whole generation arguing about who should married (whether Christian or not) instead of explaining the meaning and importance of marriage, and finally the skyrocketing divorce rate we observed from our parents (boomers) generation.
Overall, the book missed the mark. I suppose for church leaders of older churches, there could be some useful information, but as I mentioned above, it is mostly 'attractional' model church building with the focus on numbers. I find some of interesting, but didn't realize the book would be so programmatic. I thought the purpose of the book would be different (and this is on me for literally judging the book by it's cover), focusing on the 'future' church in more a ethnic/nationality change. While most of the people on the cover are hipsters, they are fairly diverse. I know the future church (in America, this is already the case worldwide) will be non-white, and first generation Americans, as white America continues to liberalize and leave the church. As I said, that was my mistake, but I was expecting demographic data, not church programming.
I liked 'Adulting', the author's first book, and Pokluda is a good writer, clear and engaging, and he was some solid thoughts in this book, but I just don't think it was ready for publication. Or the publishers took his ideas in a different direction. Either way, I don't see this book as really worth your time.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
More reviews at MondayMorningTheologian.com
January 4, 2022
honestly good one, JP. if you have the want to stop reading it because your not a pastor, not leading a whole church, or aren’t directly in charge of millennials I urge you not to. A great resource to spur on and empower any believer. Read it from a perspective of secular leadership and it was great.
April 18, 2025
Jonathan Pokluda is an empathetic and emotionally gripping pastor. He writes with heart and conviction, and often has a great story to tell the Christian to set their heart towards God.
When it comes to doctrine, I do not have the same sentiment.
After battling through the second chapter (about absolving tradition for the sake of outreach), I was lost in the post-retorationalist viewpoints. Jonathan, as is the case with most modern non-denominational pastors, is not hesitant to throw away centuries of tradition to reach the younger audience.
The Apostle Paul informs Christians that they ought not to be conformed to the ways of the world; that they need a renewing of their minds. Diluting the orders of the Church is in direct contradiction to this sentiment, and it is the seed of error that leads to deconstruction and the eventual embracing of poor doctrine that has infiltrated the United and Lutheran churches of North America.
As a less-than-serious anecdote, Johnathan says we need to remove organs in our churches if the congregants would prefer Maverick City. This one cut deep :(
If it's new, it probably ain't true.
When it comes to doctrine, I do not have the same sentiment.
After battling through the second chapter (about absolving tradition for the sake of outreach), I was lost in the post-retorationalist viewpoints. Jonathan, as is the case with most modern non-denominational pastors, is not hesitant to throw away centuries of tradition to reach the younger audience.
The Apostle Paul informs Christians that they ought not to be conformed to the ways of the world; that they need a renewing of their minds. Diluting the orders of the Church is in direct contradiction to this sentiment, and it is the seed of error that leads to deconstruction and the eventual embracing of poor doctrine that has infiltrated the United and Lutheran churches of North America.
As a less-than-serious anecdote, Johnathan says we need to remove organs in our churches if the congregants would prefer Maverick City. This one cut deep :(
If it's new, it probably ain't true.
April 27, 2023
Pokluda rightly recognizes the unique millennial generation and their significance for the future of proclaiming the glory of Christ to the next generation. This is a great work that reminds us of the necessity of raising up the next generation, and the practical applications make it a worthwhile book.
March 2, 2025
Solid, practical advice and insights on how the younger generation is responding to church, religion, and Jesus. Even tho it was written more to church leaders or those working in youth ministry, I still enjoyed the overall content
May 4, 2020
Review:
JP Pokluda’s new book, Welcoming the Future Church, provides challenging principles on how to engage young adults to lead the contemporary church. He says millennials want authenticity, to know the real Jesus, to have community and build close personal friendships, to stay relevant in the world and contribute to society, to understanding their purpose in life and be inspired by how and why their faith matters, and to learn and be challenged to grow in their faith. The way he has challenged young adults to attain these objectives is captured in what he expects of his volunteers:
“if you want to be a missionary, if you want to be a pastor, a co-laborer, if you want to be bi-vocational, if you want to give your life to this ministry, then come and die with us! When you’re helping people to their seats, if you think they might feel lonely, I want you to sit by them. When you meet someone, I want you to pastor them. If they tell you they are thinking of having an abortion, or are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you are the pastor God has put in that place. I need you to share the gospel every single week with every stranger you see in this place. I want you to be able to give your testimony in thirty seconds, three minutes, or thirty minutes, depending on how much time you have. I want you to memorize the Roman road. If you don’t know how to share your faith, we will train you. We will disciple you. We will change the world together. Who is up for that?” ((Jonathan “JP” Pokluda & Luke Friesen, Welcoming the Future Church: How to Reach, Teach, and Engage Young Adults, Baker Books pp.124-125).
A dominant question this book forces its readers to consider is: What is the heroic vision that is driving every aspect of your church? How are communicating it? How are you challenging young adults to understand it and commit to it? Pokluda forms these questions from his high view of scripture, which is central to his ministry model and his own expertise in years of ministering to and with young adults. . This book is a must read for those who are grappling with the healthy future of the church for generations to come.
Five stars M.L Codman-Wilson, Ph.D., 5/1/2020
Excerpts:
“Many young adults are unsure of how to navigate finances and their future, to say nothing of faith, friendships, anxiety, depression, a host of other issues, and of course making the big decisions that will define the rest of their lives. What does a life well lived even look like anymore? Where should they turn for answers? What should they be dreaming about attaining? What’s the right path forward? …You must help young adults answer these questions. This isn’t to say you become a “helicopter pastor” who holds their hands, makes decisions for them, and shelters them from the consequences of real-life choices for the next twenty years—Millenials get enough of this from their own parents. But as a minister of the gospel (and I mean this in a I Peter 2:9 kind of way that applies to every Christian, not just those getting a paycheck from a church), you have the words and wisdom of Jesus…Surely those words from God’s Word can help the next generation chart a course through life (p.91)”.
“Don’t do it if” questions when considering whether the Bible would advise against something: 1. Will it have a negative long-term consequence? 2.Could it harm my body – God’s temple?; 3.will it give me a guilty conscience? 4 Will it cause someone else to sin? 5.will it hurt my witness?... It will be a good idea if It will benefit myself or others; it will bring glory to God. (pp. 37-38)
JP Pokluda’s new book, Welcoming the Future Church, provides challenging principles on how to engage young adults to lead the contemporary church. He says millennials want authenticity, to know the real Jesus, to have community and build close personal friendships, to stay relevant in the world and contribute to society, to understanding their purpose in life and be inspired by how and why their faith matters, and to learn and be challenged to grow in their faith. The way he has challenged young adults to attain these objectives is captured in what he expects of his volunteers:
“if you want to be a missionary, if you want to be a pastor, a co-laborer, if you want to be bi-vocational, if you want to give your life to this ministry, then come and die with us! When you’re helping people to their seats, if you think they might feel lonely, I want you to sit by them. When you meet someone, I want you to pastor them. If they tell you they are thinking of having an abortion, or are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you are the pastor God has put in that place. I need you to share the gospel every single week with every stranger you see in this place. I want you to be able to give your testimony in thirty seconds, three minutes, or thirty minutes, depending on how much time you have. I want you to memorize the Roman road. If you don’t know how to share your faith, we will train you. We will disciple you. We will change the world together. Who is up for that?” ((Jonathan “JP” Pokluda & Luke Friesen, Welcoming the Future Church: How to Reach, Teach, and Engage Young Adults, Baker Books pp.124-125).
A dominant question this book forces its readers to consider is: What is the heroic vision that is driving every aspect of your church? How are communicating it? How are you challenging young adults to understand it and commit to it? Pokluda forms these questions from his high view of scripture, which is central to his ministry model and his own expertise in years of ministering to and with young adults. . This book is a must read for those who are grappling with the healthy future of the church for generations to come.
Five stars M.L Codman-Wilson, Ph.D., 5/1/2020
Excerpts:
“Many young adults are unsure of how to navigate finances and their future, to say nothing of faith, friendships, anxiety, depression, a host of other issues, and of course making the big decisions that will define the rest of their lives. What does a life well lived even look like anymore? Where should they turn for answers? What should they be dreaming about attaining? What’s the right path forward? …You must help young adults answer these questions. This isn’t to say you become a “helicopter pastor” who holds their hands, makes decisions for them, and shelters them from the consequences of real-life choices for the next twenty years—Millenials get enough of this from their own parents. But as a minister of the gospel (and I mean this in a I Peter 2:9 kind of way that applies to every Christian, not just those getting a paycheck from a church), you have the words and wisdom of Jesus…Surely those words from God’s Word can help the next generation chart a course through life (p.91)”.
“Don’t do it if” questions when considering whether the Bible would advise against something: 1. Will it have a negative long-term consequence? 2.Could it harm my body – God’s temple?; 3.will it give me a guilty conscience? 4 Will it cause someone else to sin? 5.will it hurt my witness?... It will be a good idea if It will benefit myself or others; it will bring glory to God. (pp. 37-38)
March 18, 2020
I am a millennial. And I can testify to how many times people around me complain about us. In stores, on the news, and worse of all, in the church. Pastors complaining how millennials are not coming to church or stepping up to serve. And I am right there… in the front row… During the odd week that I am not serving on the tech, greeting, or hospitality team. The author is right. The majority of young adult ministries just want warm bodies, and if you have any halfway spiritual knowledge, they pressure you to join their team. Then they complain that you are not doing enough. Attending and serving YA ministries have a habit of becoming uninspiring, a drudgery, and it makes you question why you are even there. It feels like they are saying anyone can fill your position, and you just happened to be the one to show up. But I have never felt that to be the case with The Porch.
I had the privilege of having JP as my pastor for 3 years as I attended the young adult ministry The Porch. And even with that, as I was reading this book, I was still struck with how well JP understands young adults. The thing about JP that grabbed my attention is that he walks his faith. The most obvious sin that I can see in many pastors is arrogance. And I am not saying that JP hasn’t had his moments, but I was there when he as my pastor, confessed to the entire congregation that he had sinned and asked for our forgiveness. A sin that I would have kept to myself, or maybe only trusted with my most intimate family and friends. And I forgave him. Not just because my Jesus wants me to, but because I could relate. I was hurting with him. And my respect for him and what he had to say grew from that day on.
This book is an excellent resource on ministry. It has guidelines for creating a sermon. A selection of the subjects that young adults are going through, how he chooses leaders and encourages them to step their game up. As well as reminders to live authentically. There are also tons of footnotes and bible refences, so you can get more info or check the facts. Which I love, because all too often people make random refences that leave you wondering where they came up with that info.
As I read through this book it made sense why the Porch is thriving. The foundation has been set on Christ, and the gifts God bestows on each of His children. And a great reminder that ministry rests on the teamwork of all, not the actions of the few. Personally, I was inspired with new ways to become a better leader and teammate.
And I am just going to leave this, riiiight here…
https://www.youtube.com/user/porchdallas
I had the privilege of having JP as my pastor for 3 years as I attended the young adult ministry The Porch. And even with that, as I was reading this book, I was still struck with how well JP understands young adults. The thing about JP that grabbed my attention is that he walks his faith. The most obvious sin that I can see in many pastors is arrogance. And I am not saying that JP hasn’t had his moments, but I was there when he as my pastor, confessed to the entire congregation that he had sinned and asked for our forgiveness. A sin that I would have kept to myself, or maybe only trusted with my most intimate family and friends. And I forgave him. Not just because my Jesus wants me to, but because I could relate. I was hurting with him. And my respect for him and what he had to say grew from that day on.
This book is an excellent resource on ministry. It has guidelines for creating a sermon. A selection of the subjects that young adults are going through, how he chooses leaders and encourages them to step their game up. As well as reminders to live authentically. There are also tons of footnotes and bible refences, so you can get more info or check the facts. Which I love, because all too often people make random refences that leave you wondering where they came up with that info.
As I read through this book it made sense why the Porch is thriving. The foundation has been set on Christ, and the gifts God bestows on each of His children. And a great reminder that ministry rests on the teamwork of all, not the actions of the few. Personally, I was inspired with new ways to become a better leader and teammate.
And I am just going to leave this, riiiight here…
https://www.youtube.com/user/porchdallas
May 20, 2020
As a millennial himself, Jonathan JP Pokluda is in a unique place to offer advice on ministering to this generation, which seems increasingly distant from the church. In "Welcoming the Future Church: How to Reach, Teach, and Engage Young Adults," Pokluda begins by offering some broad qualities of the millennial generation. These qualities then lead Pokluda to suggest some specific idea regarding ministry. Many of these ideas emerge from his own pastoring at The Porch. Some of the most helpful lean on the fact that millennials long for purpose. Giving them purpose through an understanding that they are all pastors, witnessing to their peers is the base for ministering with this age group.
Pokluda also helpfully explores various teaching strategies that are attractive to this generation. A teacher of the Gospel should share their own story, warts and all. A teacher of the Gospel should also be honest regarding Scripture. Help people to wrestle with those places in Scripture that are notoriously difficult. Help people to discover where culture tempts us to compromise the message of Scripture so that they might know the truth present within.
Some of what Pokluda writes sounds very familiar. Many suggestions regarding church structure and leadership training are applicable across generations in the church. It seems that these suggestions could be applied to many churches with many generations so that Gospel sharing might be more effective.
Overall, "Welcoming the Future Church" helps familiarize ministers of the Gospel with the unique culture of this generation. It also assists in helping ministers of the Gospel to consider how they might integrate young adults into existing ministries so that the entire church might be more effective in sharing the Gospel.
I received this book from the publisher as part of their blogging program.
Pokluda also helpfully explores various teaching strategies that are attractive to this generation. A teacher of the Gospel should share their own story, warts and all. A teacher of the Gospel should also be honest regarding Scripture. Help people to wrestle with those places in Scripture that are notoriously difficult. Help people to discover where culture tempts us to compromise the message of Scripture so that they might know the truth present within.
Some of what Pokluda writes sounds very familiar. Many suggestions regarding church structure and leadership training are applicable across generations in the church. It seems that these suggestions could be applied to many churches with many generations so that Gospel sharing might be more effective.
Overall, "Welcoming the Future Church" helps familiarize ministers of the Gospel with the unique culture of this generation. It also assists in helping ministers of the Gospel to consider how they might integrate young adults into existing ministries so that the entire church might be more effective in sharing the Gospel.
I received this book from the publisher as part of their blogging program.
March 25, 2020
I love how, in this day and age, we in the Church are being called to lead others to be the future church. But how can we do that when it is far possible we weren't taught right? Let me explain this better: I believe Jonathan Pokluda does a wonderful thing with and in this book. He explains things rightly, but I want to show from scripture, as does "JP" with his book, a biblical approach to doing exactly that.
The essence of JP's book, Welcoming the Future Church, we have this amazing opportunity to raise up leaders and showing them the right way to lead successive generations. While there are those who would rather winnow the playing field with wrong doctrine and make those who do believe to fall away from faith, we ought to stay strong and teach right. That's the whole point of Jonathan's book "the Future Church."
We have a calling, a duty of love -- if you will, to teach them the correct gospel of Christ in the hopes they can do the same, to equip, to challenge others to live a grace-filled, Christ-centered life even in times that keep edging us closer to His eventual return. And that leads me to saying this, JP does a great job with the book. He explains, tells wonderful stories and shows us within those stories how we are to show Christ's love in teaching and equipping others to do the same so that they can fulfill the gospel mission: to take the gospel message to the furthest reaches of the world so that all men are saved by faith. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Books for a fair and honest review.
The essence of JP's book, Welcoming the Future Church, we have this amazing opportunity to raise up leaders and showing them the right way to lead successive generations. While there are those who would rather winnow the playing field with wrong doctrine and make those who do believe to fall away from faith, we ought to stay strong and teach right. That's the whole point of Jonathan's book "the Future Church."
We have a calling, a duty of love -- if you will, to teach them the correct gospel of Christ in the hopes they can do the same, to equip, to challenge others to live a grace-filled, Christ-centered life even in times that keep edging us closer to His eventual return. And that leads me to saying this, JP does a great job with the book. He explains, tells wonderful stories and shows us within those stories how we are to show Christ's love in teaching and equipping others to do the same so that they can fulfill the gospel mission: to take the gospel message to the furthest reaches of the world so that all men are saved by faith. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Books for a fair and honest review.
March 1, 2021
I just read both of JP’s books in succession (they both contain a lot of similar advice and stories) and have found them to be helpful for possibly new or immature Christians but not really for me. Not that I’m at some high standard of spiritual-ness, but a lot of his Christian advice seemed a little bit “duh” to me. I think his first kind of book “Adulting” is necessary though, since so many young people haven’t had to go through hard things and learn life lessons because their parents have made life as easy as possible for them. This book however, is geared towards ministry leaders of large churches, not your typical layperson or small church pastor. A lot of his advice comes from a sincere, caring place, and I really appreciate that about him. Much of his conclusions I had to either disagree with or thought weren’t realistic for your typical small-medium size church. His starting suggestions and ideas are good and I think every pastor should read this book just to find more ways to reach the young adult generation, but I don’t think we need to make so many “concessions” for them, especially at the price of losing older, more faithful and grounded church members, who the author willingly sacrifices on the altar of update and authenticity. My “millennial” generation does appreciate being”real” and “authenticity” from their pastors and I wish my church would implement a lot of his ideas and attitudes. However, I do not think a church needs to pander to and compromise their personal standards (wherever those may fall) just to reach us.
September 28, 2021
I love JP. He's a voice I'm always leaning into when it comes to leading the next generation. He's a living testament to what God can do with the life of a young adult that is radically transformed by the grace and power of God. There were so many phenomenal takeaways about young adults, how to engaged them, how to teach them, how to gain their trust and respect, how to empower them, and how to lead teams of them. So much of it is underlined and highlighted with notes in most margins. Every page is helpful. However, JP's context was simply unique. He was in the Dallas metroplex at a Church with 20,000 or so members with a ministry budget that far exceeds most church's. That does not at all prevent a majority of this book from being hugely helpful, but it does hinder some of it. Overall, this is the best book I've read on "how to reach, teach, and engage young adults". Thanks, JP!
March 8, 2024
I use this book as a re-read every year as either the ministry year opens or closes. It’s a great primer for me to get my head around the tangible aspects of what we do.
The way JP writes isn’t going to blow you away. But it’s seeing his applications put to work that makes me give this 5 stars. Giving authority and ownership to young adults, casting and repeating the bold vision and mission of your ministry, as well as almost everything else in this book has helped our young adults feel at home and find their purpose at our church. Is it new information? Not necessarily. But it’s relevant to the generation we have today. And it’s a generation that needs more attention given to it
The way JP writes isn’t going to blow you away. But it’s seeing his applications put to work that makes me give this 5 stars. Giving authority and ownership to young adults, casting and repeating the bold vision and mission of your ministry, as well as almost everything else in this book has helped our young adults feel at home and find their purpose at our church. Is it new information? Not necessarily. But it’s relevant to the generation we have today. And it’s a generation that needs more attention given to it
March 17, 2020
This book had passionate of writing and compelling to read with that also encouraging everyone especially the leaders of the church to be more potential to the future of Christian for giving a knowledge finding the right ways to maintain and lead the teenage, young adult to our new generation to understand and continue our faith to the land of the Kingdom of Jesus. I highly recommend to everyone must tread this book. “ I received complimentary a copy of this book from Baker Books Bloggers for this review”.
March 19, 2020
As a Millennial myself, JP spoke about what gets us going. About big vision, about authentic teaching, and a heart for multiplying God’s kingdom, “Welcomjng the Future Church” is a terrific resource for anyone trying to reach Young Adults.
The church often feels like it forgets millennials, but this book teaches those in leadership how to teach, engage and deploy the generation that loves a cause more than any other.
The church often feels like it forgets millennials, but this book teaches those in leadership how to teach, engage and deploy the generation that loves a cause more than any other.
May 21, 2021
EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!
Main takeaway, if you're not reaching the future of your church, then your church has no future.
Fav quotes: if documenting these unique experiences becomes just as important as actually having them, we've got a problem.
Play chess, not checkers. In checkers, all the pieces do the same thing. In chess, each piece has a specific ability and purpose. Learn your team's gifts so you can use them in the best way
Main takeaway, if you're not reaching the future of your church, then your church has no future.
Fav quotes: if documenting these unique experiences becomes just as important as actually having them, we've got a problem.
Play chess, not checkers. In checkers, all the pieces do the same thing. In chess, each piece has a specific ability and purpose. Learn your team's gifts so you can use them in the best way
September 4, 2022
Great perspective of growing ministries, not in size or number but in effectiveness to share the gospel and in community enhancement. JP provides insight from an expert point of view on fighting for the next generation while still serving the current ones. Great read for any young adult believer but especially for those who feel called into any capacity of ministry.
August 12, 2024
I wanted to stop reading this because I'm not a pastor nor a leader for a young adults ministry and these were clearly the target audience. However, upon completing it, I realized it still has strong encouragements and methods on how to grow a community and why the young adult generation is important for the future
August 20, 2020
Yes, this book is about young adults, but it is even more so a book about getting people involved in vitals ways in the ministry of the church. Pokluda has great insight into the minor shifts that yield major changes.
May 26, 2021
Amazing, timely book that is one of the best I have read on reaching my generation. The leadership principles are sound and JP writes with a humble urgency that is sure to motivate many leaders into action.
July 31, 2021
Another thoughtful book by JP. I don't agree with every point or approach he recommends, but it was certainly thought provoking and well explained. I think I can be more effective in teaching and caring as a result.
I did buy extra copies of this book, if a friend wanted to read it and discuss.
I did buy extra copies of this book, if a friend wanted to read it and discuss.
June 25, 2023
A good read for leadership in churches about teaching the next generation. Thought he refers to millennials mostly (who are aging out of young adulthood) I think most of the ideas apply to gen Z too.
Overall a quick easy read that I would recommend for anyone in a leadership role in churches.
Overall a quick easy read that I would recommend for anyone in a leadership role in churches.
April 11, 2025
Very helpful book for bigger picture of Young Adult ministry. I enjoyed Pokluda's style of writing, wisdom, and experiences. I think he focused on the core things that are most important in Young adults ministry. There were also helpful points that are applicable to leadership in this context!
April 7, 2020
GREAT-PRACTICAL
JP does a great job of not only talking about young adults from a theoretical position but also from an extremely practical one.
JP does a great job of not only talking about young adults from a theoretical position but also from an extremely practical one.
April 17, 2020
Incredible, helpful, practical tips for ministry to reach young adults. Great perspective and biblical background. Will be recommending to all my fellow YA ministry friends ♥️
August 11, 2020
This book is a must-read if you have the intention of reaching young adults with the gospel. Thanks for a great book JP! I’ll be coming back to this book often.
April 5, 2021
This is a helpful intro book in terms of platform ministry and the posture of the platform leader.
April 25, 2021
For churches who have young adults or want to have young adults, this is the help you've been looking for.
January 31, 2022
Again, not much new here. JP is a gifted podcast host, not so much of an author.
July 21, 2022
Great points to help guide in reaching people, especially helpful if you’re not necessarily a people person and can feel easily overwhelmed by the idea of reaching a broader group.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews