Challenges for youth work - in India and Germany

"Three in One": Two German organisations and an Indian church have held another online event.

The exciting topic of "Youth in a changing society: challenges and opportunities for the church" was discussed by the Leipzig Mission, the Tamil Lutheran Church (TELC) and the Ev.-luth Mission in Lower Saxony (ELM). Sarah Kling, Church District Youth Leader in Gifhorn of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover, and Pastor Joshua Nimalan Manson, General Secretary of Youth Work at the TELC, accepted the invitation as experts, while Joshua Manson reaches the 18 to 35 age group in his work, Sarah Kling concentrates on working with confirmands, young people and team leaders.

Society is changing, whether in India or in Germany. These effects can be seen in both contexts. A lot has changed since the coronavirus pandemic. Young people are often "more to themselves", they both confirmed. The stress caused by wars also leads to uncertainty. "Sometimes I offer exciting events, but nobody or only a few people turn up," reports Kling. Nimalan is familiar with this: "Our church is strongly represented in a rural context. Young people migrate to the cities and we don't have enough offers there. Then we lose them." Old church traditions can also be an obstacle.

Both then report on their lively youth work. Kling talks about the important youth leader training, the political work in committees and conventions and the wonderful summer camps.

Nimalan adds with offers from the spiritual area: camps, prayer groups, pastoral care, visits, online pastoral care, committee work and community projects such as planting trees and donating blood.

At the end, both are asked about an experience that opened their hearts. Joshua Nimalan recounts a poignant experience. A young man had become increasingly withdrawn and depressed. Rev Joshua was busy with many other things during this time. In the end, the young man hanged himself. This experience was sad for Nimalan, but also important for accompanying young people more.

Sarah Kling regularly organises summer camps with teamers. At a summer camp in France, the young people prepared and organised an intensive church service on their own. A "piece of heaven opened up".

The next event will take place on 23 September 2026 on the topic of agriculture.