How much of youth ministry is focused on keeping kids "in the church" rather than keeping them "in the faith?"
We seem to assume that if we do the first, it will result in the second. Unfortunately, evidence suggests that is not the case. We need to recognize the fact that whether we like it or not, our teens are spiritually "free agents." We may control where they are at certain hours of the week, but we do not control their hearts. We may try to deny their "free agent" status, but like it or not, that is what they are. We can either force them to comply until they leave home, or prepare them to make wise and godly decisions as the Free Agents they are.
In the end, they like us, must have a faith that is their own. The sooner we recognize that, the better we can prepare them for all that it implies.
--------------------------
Forrest Berry
--------------------------
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
