I heard a story recently about a large "mega church" having a "hazing" to initiate incoming freshman to the senior high youth group. These young people (in order to "join" the youth group) had to pass a series of tests, including drinking a "mystery drink" (which turned out to be ketchup mixed with Sprite) and being forced to sing into a microphone in front of a ton of their peers. All of this and more with the blessing of the youth leaders! What is wrong with some churches today?! This particular young lady, is shy and left in tears...with a few of her peers jeering at her as she left. What damage has been done to this young ladies spirit?!Here is a link for a sermon by a pastor named Dr. Voddie Baucham.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=5209234630
Please, if you have young adults in your home....or any children, please listen to this sermon...or (if you are like me and technically challanged), print off or read the pdf file. It is the 'centrality of the home' where our young people should be discipled! It is not the churches JOB to disciple our children...many times by youth pastors who have never parented themselves!
We had a rather bad experience at a church that we used to attend in the youth program. Both of my older girls were not included, whispered about and were hurt and made to feel uncomfortable in a place where the leaders should have made sure that every single young person there was accepted and included. Church is supposed to be a safe place, a place of acceptance. The scars are still there.
The church that we attend now has a great youth program....but, it is referred to as a 'youth/parent' group, where twice a month, a parent and their youth attend a youth function where we worship together, listen to the teaching together, discuss together and fellowship together....WITH our child. One night a month is Mom's night and one night is Dad's night. This was such a refreshing change for us! And, our church recognizes that the primary influence in our children's lives is us...the parents. We, as a church, support each other and accept each other. I know, no church is perfect, but for us...this is a good fit, and is God's will for our family.
I have been so very blessed by the teachings of Dr. Voddie Bachaum! I wish I could give a copy of 'Family Driven Faith' to every family! My oldest daughters and I will have the pleasure and priviledge of going to a homeschool conference in 2 weeks where he is the keynote speaker. We're very much looking forward to sitting under his teaching. You know how some pastors just seem to "click"...and you feel very comfortable with them and their preaching style as well as the Lord simply speaking more powerfully into your life thru one person than another? Well, for me, it has been this man. I encourage you, if you can, please go to his website...http://www.voddiebaucham.org/vbm/Blog/Blog.html Read the resources available, go to the link above and listen to his sermons, download and read the pdf files....you will be blessed.
I'll leave you with the words to a Casting Crowns song "If we are the body"....this song came out when we were experiencing troubles at our former church and youth group...it illustrates, I think, how we, as the church, should be reaching out to each other...not hurting each other. ~Sue~
It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know Farther than they know
CHORUS
But if we are the Body Why aren't His arms reaching Why aren't His hands healing Why aren't His words teaching And if we are the Body Why aren't His feet going Why is His love not showing them there is a way There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coatAnd quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances Are better out on the road CHORUS
But if we are the Body Why aren't His arms reaching Why aren't His hands healing Why aren't His words teaching And if we are the Body Why aren't His feet going Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus paid much too high a price For us to pick and choose who should come And we are the Body of Christ Chorus (2x) If we are the body Why aren't His arms reaching Why aren't His hands healing Why aren't His words teaching And if we are the body Why aren't His feet going Why is His love not showing them there is a way Jesus is the way
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=5209234630
Please, if you have young adults in your home....or any children, please listen to this sermon...or (if you are like me and technically challanged), print off or read the pdf file. It is the 'centrality of the home' where our young people should be discipled! It is not the churches JOB to disciple our children...many times by youth pastors who have never parented themselves!
We had a rather bad experience at a church that we used to attend in the youth program. Both of my older girls were not included, whispered about and were hurt and made to feel uncomfortable in a place where the leaders should have made sure that every single young person there was accepted and included. Church is supposed to be a safe place, a place of acceptance. The scars are still there.
The church that we attend now has a great youth program....but, it is referred to as a 'youth/parent' group, where twice a month, a parent and their youth attend a youth function where we worship together, listen to the teaching together, discuss together and fellowship together....WITH our child. One night a month is Mom's night and one night is Dad's night. This was such a refreshing change for us! And, our church recognizes that the primary influence in our children's lives is us...the parents. We, as a church, support each other and accept each other. I know, no church is perfect, but for us...this is a good fit, and is God's will for our family.
I have been so very blessed by the teachings of Dr. Voddie Bachaum! I wish I could give a copy of 'Family Driven Faith' to every family! My oldest daughters and I will have the pleasure and priviledge of going to a homeschool conference in 2 weeks where he is the keynote speaker. We're very much looking forward to sitting under his teaching. You know how some pastors just seem to "click"...and you feel very comfortable with them and their preaching style as well as the Lord simply speaking more powerfully into your life thru one person than another? Well, for me, it has been this man. I encourage you, if you can, please go to his website...http://www.voddiebaucham.org/vbm/Blog/Blog.html Read the resources available, go to the link above and listen to his sermons, download and read the pdf files....you will be blessed.
I'll leave you with the words to a Casting Crowns song "If we are the body"....this song came out when we were experiencing troubles at our former church and youth group...it illustrates, I think, how we, as the church, should be reaching out to each other...not hurting each other. ~Sue~
It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know Farther than they know
CHORUS
But if we are the Body Why aren't His arms reaching Why aren't His hands healing Why aren't His words teaching And if we are the Body Why aren't His feet going Why is His love not showing them there is a way There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coatAnd quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances Are better out on the road CHORUS
But if we are the Body Why aren't His arms reaching Why aren't His hands healing Why aren't His words teaching And if we are the Body Why aren't His feet going Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus paid much too high a price For us to pick and choose who should come And we are the Body of Christ Chorus (2x) If we are the body Why aren't His arms reaching Why aren't His hands healing Why aren't His words teaching And if we are the body Why aren't His feet going Why is His love not showing them there is a way Jesus is the way
3 comments:
IF a church is going to do a youth group thing, then it should look similar to what you are now involved with. In my experience, nothing good comes out of youth groups where the kids rule and reign. Every one my kids were ever involved with was a disaster. And, for the most part, most of these kids are not serving the Lord. Which leads me to think they were never truly born again. Churched all their lives and fed a sloppy grace gospel. We take a huge part of that blame as that is where we were at back then. The "God has a wonderful plan for your life and you just need to say this silly little prayer and you and God will be best buds." And we are seeing the fruit of this in the lives of our own children. Sad.
We have listened to Voddie Baucham's "The Centrality of the Home in the Evangelism and Discipleship of the Next Generation" several times. Excellent message!!!
We have never been in a church that had the kind of youth group we were comfortable with; therefore, our kids were never involved. One group actually guzzled a gallon (or maybe it was a half gallon) of milk and then threw up. I don't remember what the point of that activity was.
I think a good strong youth/parent group, such as you have, is wonderful and very beneficial....sadly, though, we never experienced that.
Have a great day.
Love,
Patti
Sue, this is such a great post! The "Centrality of the Home" sermon was the first of Voddie's that we listened to a few years ago. Craig and I sat amazed that there was someone out there preaching what we've often discussed in our "pillow talk". Voddie is God's herald to the Christian families of our day, and we are grateful for his faithful adherence to God's call on his life.
By the way, have you read Critique of Modern Youth Ministry from Canon Press? It's excellent!
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