Teenagers

Over at Pulpit Magazine, Eric Bankcroft, who I have had the privilege to hear on a few occasions, including a funny opportunity I didn't plan at The Egg Plantation (read: overhear, and we both noticed it and chatted about the irony after) nails a good subject concerning youth and the growing trend in churches in entertaining teens in an article: Teenagers: Distract or Develop?


For many churches the issue of youth group and the perspectives concerning it are molded around viewing the large group of youth as consumers and church a product. This should be no surprise as many adults view themselves as consumers and church as a market. (Come to our Easter service--it will be proceeded by a coffee bar from Starbucks! Mmm, I love Starbucks.) It is logical then that marketing strategies towards gaining the attention and "allegiance" of teens "in church" has turned too often towards entertainment and distraction; just another option in the dizzying marketplace of vanity, places for Pinocchio. Young adults then "do" church. Often this can turn into perspectives for families and teens themselves that picking a church ought to be done on the attention-getting nature of these programs alone and the tail wags the dog...of course this raises another whole generation that believes this is the "point of church." On the other end of the spectrum is the "just get them out of the pews" and into a place where they can be picked up from after (sound like Sunday School Day Care) where the young people are viewed more as the distraction themselves. Teens introduced to either of these church perspectives whether in the entertainment-driven distraction or the "youth are a distraction" does a poor job of recognizing "youth are our future." Bancroft points out:

"As pastors, we must put away the silliness and bring the seriousness of the Scriptures to bear on their lives with all that God expects from them . . . now. As churchmen, we must be careful not to adapt the culture’s mindset of dismissing or disrespecting them but instead invest into their lives with the intention of developing godliness."

Of course, one could replace "as pastors," with "as parents," or, "as teachers" or even just "as adults." I think he makes that case too. And, he's not in bad company, because the Bible happens to say so as well. Aside from the parenting passages in Scripture (read also many good posts at Pulpit on parenting-following the several strings on parenting is good!) consider all those appealing to the older in the church and what they ought to be in relation to the younger, Titus 2:1-7, and expectations of both young and old in the church, 1 John 2:12-14, to name a few. I cannot find a place where expectations of sanctification are paused for youth. The consistent expectation of all in the body of Christ is service--even the youth.
None of this even addresses the great disservice that entertaining them alone excludes them from the benefits of body life! For all who dwell in the body of Christ are given gifts for the "edification of the body" and building one-another up. As parts of the same body the edification is vital and by definition reciprocal. Teaching a youth to avoid this robs them of the joys of finding their place in the body and the nourishment that comes from participating in the life of the church. Such is why we are told not to forsake the gathering together of the body. Is it possible that just such a thing could be happening in the church gym, right on campus when youth men and women are taught by expectation and experience that they are to be apart from service and serving? From developing and enjoying the profits of sanctification? Or, should it all be about comedian-style preaching and lifesaver/toothpick games until mommy and daddy come to them up? Would we offer this instead of the riches of Christ's body? What does it say of us if we deny the very thing that would satisfy our beloved young ones? Isn't it ironic that dismissing such an important effort as the next generation will not only doom them now, but those who will take our place tomorrow?