Three Christian Youth Leaders Share Insights to Keep the Youth in the Faith

Aimee Herd : Feb 13, 2013
Staff – Christian Week

"Today's generation of youth are very comfortable with questions, diversity in sexual mores and religious opinions. They are a hurting and confused generation that are very open to Jesus. Jesus is the perfect antidote to what both our young people are seeking and what the Church needs to become." -Colin McCartney

(Canada)?How many of us as parents, find ourselves on our knees in prayer for our children who?though raised in the Christian Church and nurturing of the Gospel?seem to be walking a path apart from faith?

Unfortunately it has become all too common a scenario.

Is there any way for it to be avoided?

Three Canadian leaders in youth ministry recently spoke candidly on the epidemic of young people leaving the Church, and what factors can help keep young people connected with the faith they've known as a small child. (Photo: USCCB.org)

In the Christian Week article, Sarah Stanley, junior high youth pastor for The Meeting House in Oakville, ON, suggests helping students find out what their gifts are and encourage them to use those gifts, but that it should begin by junior high. "If we wait until students graduate high school to help them get plugged into the church, we've likely already lost them," warns Stanley. "As students get involved, they buy in and see their crucial role in the larger narrative; and the wider community realizes that youth aren't a rogue, fringe group of hooligans, but a meaningful part of the Body of Christ."

Colin McCartney, president of Connect Leadership Ministries out of Scarborough, ON, noted that young people?although not wanting to be a part of church?seem to be very open to Jesus. McCartney says in light of that, the Church should strive to be "more like Jesus." He said, ". . . It means that we as a church have to be comfortable with uncomfortable-ness. Accepting of sin-filled people while speaking truth in love, knowing we too are hopeless sinners saved by grace." (Photo by: Ceara)

In Edmonton, Vanguard College's Youth Ministry Institute director, Ron Powell, adds that our youth ministries should be about personal, one-on-one mentoring and nurturing for each young person, instead of big events and entertainment. "Rather than putting so much time into attracting a crowd, kids need to be discipled in the home and the youth group. Youth pastors and volunteers need to spend time with kids in their world," says Powell.

He also admonished parents to truly live the life of a Christian Believer at home, modeling it for their children, instead of just putting on a "Christian show" for church. "If parents are contradicting each day by their lifestyle what is being taught by the Church on the weekend, how in the world are kids ever going to come to a deep meaningful commitment to Jesus?" said Powell.

Read the full article at the source link provided.