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i heard recently on the radio that a great percentage of teens desire spiriuality. This number was about 60% if I heard right. They also these teens fell the church does not meet thier needs. Then the commentator said something like the church needs to do more to reach out.

I was wondering if those teens feel their needs are not met because they want to form their own version of Christianity and Jesus. Is the church not reaching out enough to teens or is that teens do not want to conform or accept what the church offers. i know plenty of teens are into "individuality" and that is ok to a point. Is it that they want a Chrsitianity that allows their individuality to create their own "Chrsitianity"? i really hope that makes sense. Or are we not doing enough and how far can you go without compromising the gospel? thank you for your thoughts! dave

Youth ministry should be the same messages, but targeted toward youths' lives, their needs, and the temptations that face them. But it should not "fit in" to society. Read:

Matthew 5:13 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. Context (NET)

That is a high probability. I have seen many of them leave because they have been dissatisfied with what I see as "their" concept of Christianity.

Of course, there's the typical belief that Christianity is based on "doing good things" and acting right. We should stress that all you need to do for salvation is to recognize that you have sinned (I guess this one might be hard for many teenagers too), that your sin defiled you and cut you off from God, and that Jesus died to restore you to purity. I heard it put this way once:

Perhaps it's not the message of Christianity that seems to be getting lost with the teens and tweens, it's the application lessons that are offered.

Example, you hear a message and then the pastor gives some practical applications that we can use. however his focus is on married couples with kids....teens don't get much from that.

I think the position of youth/teen pastor is extreemly important to the whole body. We need to equip our young people with the tools that THEY can use. Relate the message to what's relevant to them, school, friends, dating, the pressures of sex before marriage, the struggles many many young people go through about having the "perfect body" or the "perfect friends" or the "perfect clothes" the "perfect boyfriend"

I seriously don't think they are looking for "their own versin" of christianity, I think they are just getting lost in the shuffle. They feel ignored with nothing geared for them.

I think a lot of time we are expecting our kids (I have 3 of my own and I'm just as guilty) of "growing up" to fast. We need to reach out to them where they are, learn about the issues that they face every day when they go to school. We need to be up on the type of music that is "in" and find some good Christian alternative.

in him,
jdent

I think I have learned a couple of things about youth ministry, maybe I'll find in a few more years that I am totally wrong but here is what my experience currently is.

1. At least part of the reason that youth tend to come up with their own idea of what christianity is is that they haven't been taught properly. It is as though there is a vacuum in their brain and if nothing has been provided them to fill the void, other things rush in to fill it.

2. Rather than the problem being asking too much, the problem in many youth ministries is they ask too little. One of the great attractions of cults and even other religions like Islam is that the person has to dedicate their life to it. Youth programs all tend to talk a lot about salvation, but many completely forget sanctification. It seems to be left out that one's entire life is no longer your own in christianity.

One has to be very careful in a youth program of always going to the lowest common denominator. The appropriate message delivery for a group of kindergarten students is much different from a group of teenagers. Can you think of any area of life that teenagers want to be treated like kindergartners? I can't. They want very much to be treated as adults and that can be used to great advantage. Tell them that theology is not easy, and then quite giving them only milk. Feed them solid food and you will be amazed how they grow.

Teenagers are dealing with all kinds of issues. They need and indeed want guidance. Just telling them again that God is Love, doesn't cut it. They are often amazed to find out that the Bible has real answers to real problems, for some reason that is often not transmitted to youth.

3. If you really want to kill a youth program it will be all fun or all work, not too many turn to only work, but many try to turn youth ministry into a fun social time. It should be that, but it needs to be more or you aren't offering anything more than can be found at any place youth gather.

Wonderful post Earl! Great thoughts!!

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I second that. Well done Earl.

An interesting question. I think that an understanding of church history can be helpful in answering this question. When we look at the history of the church, we must remember that the young have always desired to change the church. This is not a new phenomenon, whether it is caused by wordliness or not is another matter.
For example, the invention of the Sunday School is relatively modern, in historical terms. Yet we today oftentimes consider this a "must" of the church. Rather, it was created to fit certain needs apparent at that time (particularly illiteracy preventing children from reading and understanding God's Word).
Another example is the use of organs as a primary mode of music. This, also, is a relatively modern addition. Early Christians oftentimes worship solely acapella. In fact, the Puritans were infamous, according to Donald Sweeney (a Christian Historian) for destroying "works of art" including organs, on religious principle.
The idea that "our church" is the way church has always been and the right way, would be a misunderstanding, and thus may better enable us to ask the question, "Are our youth leaving the church because we refuse to dumb it down or compromise?" (my paraphrase) I believe the answer is, yes and no, as it always has been. There are many young people who are not interested in true Christianity and demand a social gospel without any focus on Jesus' saving work. On the other hand, many young people are leaving the church because we have adopted the way we do "church" as the only way to do church.
If youth want to meet in small groups at their homes to study God's Word in a discussion oriented format instead of in a Sunday School lecture classroom, do we have the right to argue that "our way" is the only way?
I, personally, believe that every generation must redefine the methods of the church while keeping the essential truths the same. Each generation must rethink why they do what they do and believe what they believe. If they don't, within one or two generations liberalism in the faith will appear. As an older generation, we must be willing to sacrifice our preferences for the preferences of the younger generation.
So often, the older generation says to the younger, "You must come to Sunday Morning worship and do it our way." My question is, why are the spiritually mature saying, "You must obey our preferences" to the spiritually immature? Rather they should set the example of servanthood and selflessness, rather than demanding it of the younger generation. As Paul says in the Pastoral Epistles, training by example and not by lording.
Just a few thoughts. Finally, I must admit that I am of a younger generation (not the youngest), so my "preferences" have not thus far become a stumbling block to the younger generation, but I attempt to remain aware that they may be.
David.

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Of course teens don't want to conform. They've spent their entire lives conforming to the ideals of their parents, the ideals of their teachers, the ideals of their peers, the ideals of society, and the ideals of the crazy world we live in today. Church is just one more thing that they feel they have to conform to in order to be a part.

The reality is that a church should not require a teen to conform to its "ways" or rules. That's not what a relationship with Jesus is about. Jesus meets us where we are...He doesn't want us to change everything about the person that He, in fact, created. The truth is that His love is unconditional, and if the church could grasp that mentality and direct it toward the youth of this nation and world, it is then that we would see the progress that you're (2do3) looking for in the emerging generation.

Youth today are looking for something that is unconditional and real. The highs that they get from drugs and sex, and the lows that come from break-ups and failing are all conditional things that leave them empty and broken. Obviously these things are not filling the void that is inside...because the youth are still searching. However, there is this amazing thing about youth...they are so determined. Whatever they put their mind to doing, come hell or high water, they're going to do it. Just imagine with me for a minute, "What if we could turn that determination into furthering God's kingdom?" Yeah, it's an amazing thought!

Church and religion has become so flaky, and it almost seems that it has become the adult's ultimately desired destination for the youth of the world today. Here's a news flash...THE YOUTH DON'T WANT CHURCH!!! Don't misunderstand me though...church is a good thing, and should be a part of our lives. However, ultimately it is a relationship that will determine our destiny, a relationship that will motivate us to take on the world, and a relationship that will allow us to feel a realness that no one and nothing else can offer. Church is not the answer for our youth today...the real, radical, and unconditional love of a Saviour is!

JenIsis has very succintly put the problem the traditional church is trying to deal with. Generally we are holding fast to a form of godliness that has been established decades ago and has become the litmus test for spirituality.

The youth today are looking for real people, not some plastic representation. They want transparency and acceptance. A young man I know told me today that he felt like a failure and didn't feel like going to church because he as a failure. It is so aggitating to me because I understand that church is where the broken and hurting should be able to go and find rest but that is not usually the case. Church is now viewed as the place that the spiritually healthty go to congregate.

Christians are said to be the only people who shoot their wounded. Unfortunately this happens all to often. Oh that we would be known for our healing touch rather than recriminations.

Semper fi

Hi, im a seventeen year old senior currently active in my church's high school youth group. I am a leader in the youth group I attend and seem to be looked up upon, but sometimes it feels like everyone surrounding me is not caring at all about God's will and His way of life. I am having a hard time being able to motivate the other students, and sometimes my self. It seems they have a general disliking of what they are being taught, and just want to be the typical teen whose most popular in his/her grade. I know I can start by praying for the students, but do you have any other word of wisdom for me???

My biggest concern is that I am leaving around the end of June to hopefully be attending the college of my dreams, but that leaves my youth pastor with a group of students who are, what it seems like, passionless. I guess i am asking for advice and prayer...

Thanks,
GodsGrace

hi there young friend..i am nineteen and have figured this out in my life as well..first if you haven't already before anything else..make sure to fill yourself with those who do care about the truth of God. this encouragement is always needed and make sure you have a friend there helping you share the good news to others in school and such..continue to pray for those in need of encouragement..during prayer since we cannot focus our attention on everyone, i like to put more focus on specific individuals throughout a certain week..
extra acts of kindness is good, and character in all ways, and always being generous goes a long ways.actions speak as loudly as words.something i need to work on more.
i like to first use gentle encouragement to some people and in times when i feel the need to be careful...simply things like values of the heart...simple humility...being more patient in this busy world..remembering to appreciate more all the gifts we have and for all the things around us and the people in our lives.
i like to also incorporate heath aspects to some who i feel may be more stubborn..tell them that simple meditation can help one get in better touch with their spirit, and it is very calming, and there are many good health benefits..then maybe tell them how simple prayer has similar effects for our health..as it does..
remember Jesus..fueled his heart with only prayer and meditation while in the wilderness for 40 days.
talk to some about how all this can reduce stress and ease emotions..ive dealt with various therapies and you can tell some who may not be most inclined to pray to visualize bright vibrant green pastures, rainbows, and purple light amidst a blue sky..green and purple colors have more spiritual qualities than any of the other colors...tell them to visualize all these things as God's creation, and tell them to say in their mind that all God's creation is great..
some people may like to be creative, and maybe encourage a painting of sheep following a shepherd, like us following Jesus..
get people to enjoy great artists like Chris Tomlin, Newsboys, Aaron Shust, hillsong, dc talk, jars of clay, sonic flood, encouraging this music in people.
most of all encourage and not discourage...never point fingers at anyone..
hope this helps. cheers and love friend
Evan

Hey what's up, i'm a youth myself and attend church but what a lot of teens want is for the church to be real, we want the pastor to be real. We don't want a whole bunch of attractions to get us hooked into, i mean sure those are nice but that's not what it is about. We want it to be sincere, we don't want each sermon to be loaded of information that sounds true. Just be straight up with us and don't put on a fake smile. You go to a church for the first time and everyone is all nice and wanting to be the best they can be for you and show you the good qualities of their church. That isn't it. We are shown that crap are whole life, church should be the place where people don't have to be fake, they can just be real with us and that is why we don't go to church a lot of the time, because everyone is full of crap and we are tired of trying to find the right people.

What did you mean by that ?