Ridgell's Originals

I am convinced faithful young people are produced by real, genuine, authentic experiences that show Jesus.

Too often what we give them are isolated, contrived, structured, well produced experiences that are more image than reality.

Here are some potential ways I think that happens.

Service projects.  We ask our young people to be part of a one day, or even a one week, project.  If this is all they see, they never understand that service is a lifestyle attitude.  If not careful, the project is more about the youth group experience than about the people we are serving.

Youth worship.  When these are done in ways that really relate to the perceived needs and desires of young people, it becomes easy for them to think that worship is really all about them.  So worship that does not cater to them is seen as dull and not meaningful.

Youth fellowship.  Spending the majority of time together has the potential to develop young people that are very narrow in their thinking and very selfish in their expectations of what fellowship really is.

I am not against Christian young people having some of these experiences together.  I am concerned about their only church experiences being primarily with only other teens.

I think families that are part of a smaller fellowship group (formal or informal) that includes the entire family is very effective.  By the way, I think this even extends to younger children than our teenagers.  This is a wonderful way to experience deeper fellowship that is ongoing.  It is an excellent way to experience real worship and communion.  And maybe that is why smaller churches sometimes produce a higher percentage of healthy, faithful disciples.  And why larger congregations may have to be more intentional about this.

So as you can tell from my last post and this one, I am suggesting that our teens be integrated into congregational life in real ways.  And I don't think the obvious place to do this is in the main worship assembly and in a targeted program.

I think it happens in homes, in families, and in smaller groups.  That is where our teens can be involved in real Bible study.  They can see what sharing Jesus means.  They can learn how to help each other thru struggles.

Because I think our teens need guidance.  I think they need teaching.  I think they need help.  I am not sure they can get it by themselves.  Or just thru a youth minister just out of college.  I think they need parents.  And grandparents.  And each other.  And young family role models.

So let's connect them to all these influences.

They will experience real, honest, authentic Christianity.  And when they do, they will stick with it.

That is what they are looking for.  Not entertainment.  Not things geared to them.  But things that matter, that make a difference... things that are real.

I think that is what they are looking for.

And they will see that in church. Not just youth church, but in all the church.