As Passover approaches the role of faith in the lives of young people continues to evolve. While some embrace traditional religious practices, others explore spirituality in new and unconventional ways.
Young people are connecting with faith in diverse ways, from digital platforms to personal spiritual journeys. These changes reflect both modern lifestyles. They also indicate deeper existential searches.
Spiritual leader Tsepo Monaheng, of the Blessed Saints Church of Christ, believes young people are not necessarily turning away from faith. They are instead redefining their relationship with it. “Many young people seek a personal and experiential connection with faith,” he said.
“They are drawn to spaces that allow for open dialogue, inclusivity and a deeper understanding of spirituality beyond formal religious structures. Yet this shift has led to a passive form of participation for some where they are physically present in religious spaces but not actively engaged.
“When church programmes focus too much on the older generation young people feel out of place because they can’t relate to the discussions or issues being addressed. We need to ask ourselves, are we truly making room for young people in our faith communities, or are we merely expecting them to conform to traditions that don’t resonate with their reality?”
The rise of digital faith communities has been both a blessing and a challenge. Many young believers turn to online sermons, podcasts and virtual prayer groups as a way to stay connected to their faith.
For Liso Leteba, a young churchgoer, faith remains an important anchor, but she approaches it differently. “Attending church gives me a sense of belonging, but I also explore my spirituality through podcasts, online discussions, and even meditation,” she explained.
“I think young people want to feel faith is relevant to their everyday lives, not just something they observe on religious holidays.”
Monaheng acknowledges the significance of digital spaces but warns against their potential drawbacks. “The digital space is a double-edged sword,” he said.
“It offers accessibility and engagement, but at the same time it can dilute the depth of traditional religious experiences.”
He also pointed out that reliance on online faith content without a strong biblical foundation can lead to misinformation.
“Many young people who consume spiritual content online end up blending Christianity with unbiblical beliefs. “Astrology, manifesting and other trends are creeping into their Christian faith, sometimes without them realising it.
“They will still identify as Christians in this case, but their beliefs will contain a lot of external influences, some of which are even contrary to scripture. As young people redefine spirituality, the question arises is the institutional church keeping up with this shift?
Monaheng believes religious institutions must adapt if they want to remain relevant. Young people value authenticity.
“If religious institutions do not provide spaces where they feel heard and understood, they will seek spirituality elsewhere.”
One major challenge is the church’s reluctance to engage with issues that require more than just prayer.
“The church is often afraid to address things that can’t be solved quickly. Mental-health struggles, addiction and personal crises need long-term support, yet seeking professional help is still viewed as taboo in many churches. Instead of creating support groups and accountability partnerships, we would rather pray for people and send them away, without any follow-ups.”
As Passover calls for reflection and renewal, the evolving ways in which young people engage with faith suggest a transformation rather than a decline.
Whether through traditional services, digital platforms, or personal spiritual journeys, their search for meaning continues to shape the future of religious expression. The challenge now lies with religious institutions: will they adapt to this new reality, or risk losing the engagement of a generation seeking deeper, more personal connections to their faith?
Monaheng’s words serve as both a warning and a call to action. “We can’t assume that just because young people aren’t engaging with faith the way previous generations did, they are lost. They are searching. The question is, are we willing to meet them where they are?” he says.
