Comments on: A Striking Insight About Youth Ministry

By: fccadrian

fccadrian — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:14:08 +0000

I read once that any church, no matter how small or how few programs offered, that has adults in it who care about kids has a vital youth ministry.

For me as an adolescent, church was the safest place to find adults who could stand being with me even when I had infuriated my parents! To this day I still keep in touch with those adults, even though most have retired and relocated and are no longer affiliated with that congregation.

They made it easier for me to be a kid and for my parents to be my parents…. that whole “it takes a village” idea.

I imagine my life would look very different without their influence and encouragement. I will be forever grateful.

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:33:47 +0000

Oh yes – the same for adults. I know adults, even older adults, for whom a mission trip was an amorous expedition.

Interesting piety, isn’t it.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:56:42 +0000

There was plenty of flirting in my high school youth group, but there was also in some youth a genuine hunger for God and a desire to learn about being Christ’s disciple. I think it’s the same for adults in church… for some it’s social, and for others it’s spiritual as well as social. You see this in all ages.

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:36:47 +0000

It is a striking insight. I sounds plausible to me.

Still, I think what appeals to young people about youth ministries and mission trips is the time away from their parents and the time to be with boys and girls. Especially by the teenage years, it is a kind of dating thing, a flirting thing. It is a chance for romance. I don’t think there is much interest in God or church.