The Church's Role For Youth And Young Adults

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

HammerStone

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Feb 12, 2006
5,113
286
83
38
South Carolina
prayerforums.com
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I've been in a discussion with a good Pastor recently about the state of the church he oversees as well as the state of the church locally and in general.

To give you a little bit of background, this is a small and relatively rural church. This church is located is in a suburb of the state's capital. The church itself is just outside of this small city's limits and it has had its share of issues. For all intents and purposes, though, it is your typical southern church so in spite of its small size, I think it represents the average church in more ways than one.

As I was talking with this Pastor, he brought up the nature of the composition of the church. Like many others in the area and across America, it has some very faithful members, but it really seems to lack the youth and young adult component. Now there are children and teenagers in the church, but you're looking at a definite disparity when it comes to the 13-17 and 18-30 range. As most of you know, I recently graduated college and married my high school sweetheart of many years now. We're smack in that young adult category. With this Pastor, I'd say he connects very well to others our age. He's "up" on things and has embraced computers, blogs, websites, and other things like that. I won't comment too much more on the church overall, but IMHO he is Spirit-led and there are very clear changes for the better taking place over time. Things feel updated but the Word is taught.

We got to discussing the lack of youth and young adults. He asked for my perspective and it got me to thinking. I don't play big brother here and ask for dates, but I do have a reasonable idea through posting, pictures, and more how old most members of this board are. I quickly began to realize that even Christianity Board shares in the lack of youth and young adults.

I know the simple argument is that's just the way things go; it's a sign of the times. Of course I'm reminded of II Peter 3:3:
...knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

The case that we are a material culture and a rushed culture is pretty much blatantly obvious. We can blame wandering hearts, unparalleled temptations, and a general decadent society as a source of some attrition. I think that folks might would quibble with some words, but that just about any Christian would make the same or very similar statement.

However, I have a number of friends whom I'd consider Christian that are my age or around it who just don't go to church. Let's just put aside the discipline arguments for this discussion. Let's also put aside a polluted society and just focus on these age ranges. I mean sin is nothing new in the world and men and women have been enticed by it since the time of Adam and Eve, right? Well, when you are able to talk and maybe pick brains for a time, it becomes evident that church is just no longer found to be a good place to go. Many people come from families where the parents do still attend and they freely talk about Christian issues. You know they are restrained by Christian morals and even notice that they pray or delight in discussing Christianity.

So why the empty pews? I think part of the answer is the churches. For whatever reasons they are not interesting. (Again let's put aside the protests that the Word is interesting - we know that and even those that don't attend church seem to know that...) I feel like in the past folks think I'm "anti-church" or something silly like that, but I do believe in a fundamental failing within the churches. I believe bad doctrine is much of the issue, but I believe many other times its just bad "packaging." Who is to say that the one sitting on the pew bored and daydreaming as the Pastor tells a story is better off than the one simply not there?

We all know about seeds. The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13) has at least one lesson on the topic at one level as well as the many other verses about seeds and planting:

I Corinthians 3:7
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

You know the phrase repeated lately about throwing good money after bad? Maybe we're throwing good seed after bad? Maybe it's time to examine exactly how churches try and reach younger generations.

With that in mind, how do you feel churches should reach them? What can a church do to reach just the local crowd of young adults just starting their lives or whatever. Is social media the way like Facebook and Twitter? Do we look for new ways to present the Word through new types of media? (Maybe you go to church and watch a presentation along with the sermon or see a video about the Word.) What ministries can churches perform to plant seeds that might germinate a month or year down the line?

What can churches do to become more relevant and help light the fire? We know teaching the Word, of course, but how do you hook the fish?

Please feel free to input and brainstorm as much as you'd like! I'll be listening for this website as well!!
 

Brother Mike

New Member
Sep 16, 2008
939
47
0
57
Pretty interesting Hammerstone:..................... you mentioned bad doctrine.........as a major cause.


Well, (Keep in mind, I am Word of faith, blab it and grab it.)

Our church has tons of youths from little to a very large older teen crowd. In fact, we have to have several classrooms just to hold all the age category's.

Our Church teaches the children to get involved with God, not just teaching the Word. When they are young, they confess that.

I am sharp, bright, good looking, extremely wealthy, and a major blessing. (Something like that, I go to big church.) The kids don't hear things like God is mysterious, or God may not want to heal you this time. They learn to trust God, and that they are extremely important to God.

People loose interest, because there is no God involved. You just hear a bunch of stuff of why God can't, won't, or it's all passed away. People want to know and trust God.

In our older youth, amazing things have happened. One youth for example gave part of his allowance for tithe. The youth are taught to be givers. This youth was believing God for a Motor Cycle. His parents were broke though.

Well, someone in the Church was walking out and just glanced at this boy, and the Lord told that man to buy that boy a motor cycle. The man never even knew this boy. This made a big impression on that boy.

Things like that make a impression on young people. Some of the home life these kids endure everyday is just horrible, then they find out there is someone that does care, will help, and expects them to live right.

Our older youth are taught to respect and obey parents, even if the parents are awful. Our church deals with sex, drugs and everything a teenager might face. They are also taught how to hear the Holy Ghost.

2 years ago we had a bad snow storm. Cars piled up everywhere. The youth at the high School (from out church) About 9 of them) heard the Holy Spirit tell them to leave NOW........ They met up with each other and confirmed this was God telling them to go, they all had cars. They got permission to leave and all made it home safely.

My kids were stuck in the gym most the night, before volunteers with 4 wheel drive could get everyone home.

I think God has to be real to people, and the God they see in the bible. They see Jesus healing people, yet are told that is not for today, and you just never know if God wants you healed. What they read, and hear does not add up.

People will stay if you can get them excited about our awesome God.

http://www.moorelife.org/mlmindex.php (My Church if you want to check it out.)

I know this is a (Word of faith) point of view, but we don't lack children, and they stay from little to college.

Jesus Is Lord.
 

pastorlesofm

Community Guide
Jun 28, 2008
326
17
0
81
Central New York State
Great needed topic. When I was a little boy I remember the good guys wore white and the bad guys wore black. Prayer and reading of scripture in school was a daily thing, we were also released on Wednesday afternoon for religious education, attending church of our faith. Since none of these are no more, unfortunately, they are replaced with God, church, scripture as well as prayer is a bad thing to do all week, according to the public school system. Therefore children get 1560 hours of the guys dressed in black are not really bad, but watch out for those who are in white. In school, on the news, youth are totally confused with good and bad. In church on Sunday they are told that certain actions are not acceptable according to the Word , which they are exposed to about 208 hours a year, public schools tell the youth just the opposite for 1560 hours per year. The public schools get our youth for 1560 hours vs. 208 hours of exposure to scripture and prayer. That is the youth that are fortunate enough to be encouraged to attend church. Many churches have noticed the challenge with the public schools and have started christian schools or home school programs. Some churches have mentoring programs. Christian coffeehouses, with christian music and fellowship. The church needs to increase it's hours through various christian programs which will attract youth. More christians need to serve on school boards in their areas. Why not a junior church board to work with the pastor and the board of elders or trustees. Let youth make youth decisions in their church, assist pastor in creating interesting programs to evangelize other youth. Youth mission trips is also a good draw , christian youth jobs program and or volunteer program. How about a nursing home outreach for youth?. Thank you my brother for this very good subject, sure got me thinking. I pray this might be of some help. Love you all in Jesus Name
 

jiggyfly

New Member
Nov 27, 2009
2,750
86
0
64
North Carolina
[font="tahoma][size="2"]
Now there are children and teenagers in the church, but you're looking at a definite disparity when it comes to the 13-17 and 18-30 range.
[/size][/font]

[font="tahoma] [/font][/color]
[color="#5D5D5D"][font="tahoma][size="2"]Maybe the problem is what the little ones are learning and experiencing (or lack of) when they are in church, that they seem to stop participating when they get older.[/size][/font]

[font="tahoma] [/font][/color]
[color="#5D5D5D"][font="tahoma][size="2"]Providing they have encountered Christ rather than a religious experience, are they turning from Christ or just from the religious structure? [/size][/font]
 

HammerStone

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Feb 12, 2006
5,113
286
83
38
South Carolina
prayerforums.com
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I'm going to keep prodding and pushing everyone including myself on this one.

Brother Mike, it seems like your church might have it together - maybe they never made the mistakes that lead to the youth and young adult problem? I appreciate your sharing the link, and I will have to check it out. One of the things I like immediately about that website is that sermons and even (it looks like) a live broadcast are online. I know folks like to try out churches, so here is a way where you can get a feel for the teaching and preaching without having to go. The idea being that you'll hear it and eventually have that tug to actually join in-person. That's something the local churches lack here. A few do broadcast on the radio, but that's just about the extent of it. There are a few websites, but they pretty much are limited to outdated news postings and maybe a letter or statement from the pastor urging you to attend.

PastorLes, I can appreciate what you are saying about the schedules. I feel like most of us don't have a whole lot of time for anything these days. These days even the younger generations around the college age are either working or working + school for around 40 hours or more a week. As you pointed out, a secular school system has them the vast majority of the day and it's becoming increasingly unlikely they'll see much of God from any figure of authority in these schools. We have to counteract that with very little or no comparative time. Surely that starts at home, but some church programs should be available to help these kids out. One of things I've gathered from both you and Brother Mike is that kids need to actually do and not just be preached to and taught.

I can recall my youth where there were lessons about drinking and drugs from some of the people who ran the youth and it really bored and made the kids fall away. Many of them did drink sure, but most to all did not have an issue with drugs and the lessons were very weak and simply stated "don't do drugs" at the end in a very dry way. I think if just some scholars of the Word might throw in there about the Greek word pharmakeia might have made the lesson that much more interesting. Similarly, let the kids of the church help with the lessons, maybe let the kids work on some ideas and things to do. I think that's an excellent point because you want to set the example of how to do Christian things as well.

Jiggyfly, I think we've all said the same thing - maybe just in different ways. The religion part of Christianity has seemed to overtake the Word. I think Pastors and others are so concerned with trying to be interesting that their lessons have been watered down to stories that they themselves think are interesting and poignant, but that eventually become an empty bore to the congregation. It's just like the lesson I mentioned before - it's handed off very dryly. I can remember another later youth minister we had who had us complete an excercise where we all were told to visualize our favorite place and then eventually visualize Christ. When we did that he then asked us questions, etc. and talked about how many perceived the Christ that they had seen in the pictures and movies. In my case I sorta unintentionally foiled his lesson at bit for him because I could never put a face on Christ. I still remember the event and it taught me about myself. He had us do other things like watch the Passion movie. Regardless of your stance on the movie, it can be very moving in a dark atmosphere where you're focused on the movie like in a theater. I can remember all of us not saying one word after it was over.

So I thank you all for the input thus far!

I guess where I'm trying to go with this is that we can come to agreement that religion has taken over much of the church out there. (Certainly not all, thank God!) Some new Pastors, teachers, and members are left to dig some places out of this mess. The problem is that the people - in this case the youth and then young single and married folks - are willing but maybe damaged or dismayed by previous experience. IE: I fully believe and understand the "Field of Dreams" mentality that if you feed the sheep, they will come. However, I've become more aware that sometimes the Spirit works by sending us out and reaching people who might not otherwise hear about it. The internet lessons and sermons are a great example of that. What are other things that can be done to reach out and say "hey, we know you've had bad experiences and don't like church the way you experienced it before, but please give us a chance to show you what the church is really about..."

Do you do this with things like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. and get on their level? Are there other ways to plant a seed that might come to fruition later on? How do you get past the failures of the church in the past to get a young couple to try one more time? When you start new programs, how do you feel the empty seats at the onset?

I don't expect these questions to be answered absolutely or perfect answers as there are none. I just would like to see the body of Christ in its glory maybe provide a blueprint. What's God laying on your heart about this?
 

Brother Mike

New Member
Sep 16, 2008
939
47
0
57
Hammerstone:
When you start new programs, how do you feel the empty seats at the onset?


PastorLes:

Similarly, let the kids of the church help with the lessons, maybe let the kids work on some ideas and things to do. I think that's an excellent point because you want to set the example of how to do Christian things as well.

Jiggyfly

Maybe the problem is what the little ones are learning and experiencing (or lack of) when they are in church, that they seem to stop participating when they get older.

Providing they have encountered Christ rather than a religious experience, are they turning from Christ or just from the religious structure?


Empty Seats:

I know how this feels, before God sent me to Faith Life Church, I was asked to take over Sunday Morning Pastor in a very Small Church. (ran 25-40 in our night service, which was the main service by another Pastor)

I was clueless, but The Lord said teach them to trust me....Believe me, I protested. (Pasturing a church, what was God thinking??)

I had one extra room for kids, but I had NO people to come starting out, in fact, I would be the only one show up, at the start, Me the wife and my Singer and keyboard player. We got the extra room ready for kids, but we had to pay for all the coloring books, and the movies were veggie tales we had from home.

Yet, I know God told me to do this, but where are the people? The first few weeks, Nobody. Then things started to change, people started to just show up. and we got a few kids, not long and we were larger than the night service, and the service that paid the bills on the Church. (I taught prosperity, the head Pastor did not believe on tithing or people giving, He had a good job and paid all the bills out of pocket)

To fill seats, I just did What God asked. (Spirit Led) How ever God wanted to direct the service. Some days, I never got to my "Sermon I spent hours on."

I feel being led by the Spirit is a key for church growth. Many start programs that may seem good, and scriptural, but Not God's plan for that body. Pastor's also try to copy what other larger church do, and that can get the plan all mixed up. Hearing God, is key.

Helping with Lessons: PastorLes

At Faith Life Church, we have two bands from youth (Teens) We also have a acting youth which any youth can get involved with if they have time. We also let Youth get up with the adults during the service that gets broadcast all over the planet. I did not think about it, but we constantly get the youth to go to nursing homes and put on plays, and go witness. Everyone gets assigns a job to do something. My son, being faithful in What he was given for two years is now going to train to run the TV production for big church. He is very excited that Mrs Moore came and asked him.

Mind you though, We have the money to do these things, but I think God can get creative with kids, and get them involved, and bring in the money if it involves something that is going to cost something.

Just religion: Jiggyfly


I agree, though I know your stance on WOF, being led by the Spirit of God for a certain Church will keep the religious stuff out of the way. Church should not be a show, and the Pastor should not feel as if they have to perform well, better and better for every service. Some feel that way. People need to know God is real. They need to know that what they learn does in fact change lives, and circumstances.

Be blessed everyone.

Jesus Is Lord.
 

pastorlesofm

Community Guide
Jun 28, 2008
326
17
0
81
Central New York State
I'm going to keep prodding and pushing everyone including myself on this one.

Brother Mike, it seems like your church might have it together - maybe they never made the mistakes that lead to the youth and young adult problem? I appreciate your sharing the link, and I will have to check it out. One of the things I like immediately about that website is that sermons and even (it looks like) a live broadcast are online. I know folks like to try out churches, so here is a way where you can get a feel for the teaching and preaching without having to go. The idea being that you'll hear it and eventually have that tug to actually join in-person. That's something the local churches lack here. A few do broadcast on the radio, but that's just about the extent of it. There are a few websites, but they pretty much are limited to outdated news postings and maybe a letter or statement from the pastor urging you to attend.

PastorLes, I can appreciate what you are saying about the schedules. I feel like most of us don't have a whole lot of time for anything these days. These days even the younger generations around the college age are either working or working + school for around 40 hours or more a week. As you pointed out, a secular school system has them the vast majority of the day and it's becoming increasingly unlikely they'll see much of God from any figure of authority in these schools. We have to counteract that with very little or no comparative time. Surely that starts at home, but some church programs should be available to help these kids out. One of things I've gathered from both you and Brother Mike is that kids need to actually do and not just be preached to and taught.

I can recall my youth where there were lessons about drinking and drugs from some of the people who ran the youth and it really bored and made the kids fall away. Many of them did drink sure, but most to all did not have an issue with drugs and the lessons were very weak and simply stated "don't do drugs" at the end in a very dry way. I think if just some scholars of the Word might throw in there about the Greek word pharmakeia might have made the lesson that much more interesting. Similarly, let the kids of the church help with the lessons, maybe let the kids work on some ideas and things to do. I think that's an excellent point because you want to set the example of how to do Christian things as well.

Jiggyfly, I think we've all said the same thing - maybe just in different ways. The religion part of Christianity has seemed to overtake the Word. I think Pastors and others are so concerned with trying to be interesting that their lessons have been watered down to stories that they themselves think are interesting and poignant, but that eventually become an empty bore to the congregation. It's just like the lesson I mentioned before - it's handed off very dryly. I can remember another later youth minister we had who had us complete an excercise where we all were told to visualize our favorite place and then eventually visualize Christ. When we did that he then asked us questions, etc. and talked about how many perceived the Christ that they had seen in the pictures and movies. In my case I sorta unintentionally foiled his lesson at bit for him because I could never put a face on Christ. I still remember the event and it taught me about myself. He had us do other things like watch the Passion movie. Regardless of your stance on the movie, it can be very moving in a dark atmosphere where you're focused on the movie like in a theater. I can remember all of us not saying one word after it was over.

So I thank you all for the input thus far!

I guess where I'm trying to go with this is that we can come to agreement that religion has taken over much of the church out there. (Certainly not all, thank God!) Some new Pastors, teachers, and members are left to dig some places out of this mess. The problem is that the people - in this case the youth and then young single and married folks - are willing but maybe damaged or dismayed by previous experience. IE: I fully believe and understand the "Field of Dreams" mentality that if you feed the sheep, they will come. However, I've become more aware that sometimes the Spirit works by sending us out and reaching people who might not otherwise hear about it. The internet lessons and sermons are a great example of that. What are other things that can be done to reach out and say "hey, we know you've had bad experiences and don't like church the way you experienced it before, but please give us a chance to show you what the church is really about..."

Do you do this with things like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. and get on their level? Are there other ways to plant a seed that might come to fruition later on? How do you get past the failures of the church in the past to get a young couple to try one more time? When you start new programs, how do you feel the empty seats at the onset?

I don't expect these questions to be answered absolutely or perfect answers as there are none. I just would like to see the body of Christ in its glory maybe provide a blueprint. What's God laying on your heart about this?


Have you checked out Campus Crusade for Christ or Teen Challenge? They may have some great input and ideas.
 

gumby

New Member
May 29, 2009
695
30
0
38
My answer to this is simple you see the forums of evil media that are corrupting our youth instead of harry potter and facebook being used against christ simply turn it around and use it for christ. The same theory applies with other new age religions out there such as wicca and scientoligy if it can be used against christ it can be used for christ. Maybe what im saying here is scout out the enemy and go recruit in his camp and go indoctrinate in his camp. You see i once was involved with the world of buddhism and taoism from ages 18-21 but then i was washed white as snow then i was lead into the new revelation of the holy spirit i was baptized when i was 7 but i didnt feel anything in church or even in the sciptures for the longest time. My point is when we are lost and when loose feeling through false religion and false doctrine thats when we gain the most because at that point in time i realized my life was in shreads spiritually. As a christian i can fully admit at one point in time i beleived in this thing called chi i prayed to spirit animals i was into thai chi and yoga and even experimenting with taoist philosiphies. I realized though that leads to a quick road to hell, that road away from christ leads to god being very very angry with you. And thats what i think if the ememy can coorupt our youth through media and false religion then we shall use the same to go out and save people for jesus. Im not saying promote any other religion by any means im just saying pretend to be islam or buddhist or any other religion except teach the bible and go in with an intent to expose the worlds false religions. Once we blind the false religions with the light of christ and expose them to truth the light had to come in. Christ has to work once we expose them and witness against the evil.

Maybe my idea is off the wall or maybe im just nuts but either way its worth a shot.
 

Brother Mike

New Member
Sep 16, 2008
939
47
0
57
Glad to see you COMPLETELY change your view on that subject matter.

If you look at all the things you mentioned, each one has a promise of Power, or doing something in the Physical. People want a real religious experience. They want to see change. Sadly, most Churches today will not say God for a fact will heal you, or prosper you, or put your family together again. They say, if it is his will, or that this sickness may be a good thing for building character and getting God Glory.

This is why people look to these other things, they want something real in their life, and bless God, devils are very real.

Even when I was in prison, my wife was with someone else. I wrote a Pasture and asked him to pray with me about it in agreement. He wrote back and said that He talked to my wife, and God may not put my family back together again. That is not faith, but I knew better at that time (Thank you Jesus) not to listen to that stuff. We have been married going on 18 years.

Magic and those occultist arts say you do this and that will happen. People actually believe that stuff, and yes, devils get involved and cause things to happen. At church we are told that you just never know what God is going to do.

It's not a very good witness to say, Hey, I am broke, and sick, God is getting glory, come join me, and get sick and broke. Not a good witness at all.

Jesus Is Lord.
 

01CobraVortech

New Member
May 2, 2010
308
19
0
48
NJ
We can get more youngsters involved in the church if we started handing out a free playstation to anyone willing to accept Christ. :lol: