With constant change in our communities, our social institutions, and our world at large, most people are struggling to find new ways to navigate and cope with the stress that comes with change. Today’s young people are coming of age in times of unprecedented uncertainty and they may need more support to endure the constant churn.

In 2020, we surveyed more than 10,000 young people to understand their feelings and behaviors around uncertainty during another tumultuous period—the Covid-19 Pandemic. Although a large majority of young people surveyed consider themselves at least slightly religious or spiritual, most don’t turn to religious institutions to help them during times of uncertainty. Of those who identified as “very religious,” only 40% said they found their faith community helpful during challenging times.

Several factors impact young people’s choices to turn elsewhere during hard times. Yet, several young people told us they aren’t necessarily looking for quick fixes or immediate resolution to the problems that surround them. Fifty-four percent of young people surveyed agreed with the statement “Religious communities try and fix my problem instead of just being there for me.”

Young people value meaningful relationships and safe spaces where they can process what’s happening. More than half of the young people surveyed said the most useful thing a person did to help them during uncertainty was to “just let [them] talk.” Instead of solutions, young people want relationships with people who will see them through to the other side of uncertainty, no matter the outcome.

Both then and now, young people want trusted adults who can support them. Faith leaders are uniquely positioned to offer that care and guidance to the young people in their faith communities and beyond. Listening well, especially about matters of community, meaning identity, or faith, is an art form. It’s not just about uncrossed arms or nodding along, but about witnessing a young person express something, possibly for the first time. Young people want someone to express curiosity about what they’re seeing, feeling, and experiencing.

Use the following questions to assess your own readiness to support young people as they navigate uncertainty and make sense of the world around them.

• Who or what do the young people around you turn to in times of uncertainty?
• Imagine some critical decision or major life event from your own adolescence or young adulthood. Who or what do you remember turning to at that time? If it was a religious resource, (your community, beliefs, a practice, etc.) what exactly were you seeking?
• When you are facing a challenging time or feeling uncertain as an adult, who do YOU naturally turn to and why? If you tend to turn to no one, why is that?
• Does your religious tradition leave room for uncertainty, or are faith and doubt presented as two opposing forces?
• When a young person comes to you in a time of difficulty or stress, is your instinct to make room for their current experience, or are you more likely to rush into solving their problem or giving advice? How can you respond to young people’s uncertainty in ways that don’t rely on answers or fixes? 
• What ministries or resources do you already have that explore the topic of presence and accompaniment? How can those be incorporated into current offerings?
• When you step back from these reflections, how might they impact your approach to care and support in your ministry? What short-term or long-term changes could you make?