You may not agree with everything in this article, but I encourage you to read it nonetheless. The historical information related to the rise of modern youth ministry is fascinating.
Two or three years ago, I read a post by someone who was doing research for a book on youth ministry. (I wish I still had access to that post or the book, but I don't... and I don't remember the author's name.) The conclusion was that the "faithfulness" of youth was not determined by a rocking, hip youth ministry program (or any youth ministry program for that matter), or a great youth minister. Instead, the faithfulness of youth as they grew older was directly proportional to the number of relationships they had with mature Christians.
I remember when you mentioned that on your blog. It makes perfect sense.
The bible really is a book about relationships - relationship to God, and relationships with others. Even the Ten Commandments are all about relationships. The Sermon on the Mount certainly is as well. How easily we lose sight of this fact as we do all our church ceremonies, programs, etc.
For some of the same reasons that home school is so effective: a given kid has relationships with younger kids, peers, older kids and adults, home churches would seem to provide an environment where these relationships can occur naturally. Just a thought.
I found this article that gives the results of the study that I mentioned (Something is not Right). This group still maintains that separating youth is a good idea, but they're trying to build "intergenerational relationships" while separating youth... sounds like a contradiction to me. But, they see the problems and recognize that relationships with many mature believers is what teenagers need.
Thanks again for the link. It's funny how we try to keep things basically the same even while recognizing problems. The group you mention seems to want to have it both ways.
6 comments:
Two or three years ago, I read a post by someone who was doing research for a book on youth ministry. (I wish I still had access to that post or the book, but I don't... and I don't remember the author's name.) The conclusion was that the "faithfulness" of youth was not determined by a rocking, hip youth ministry program (or any youth ministry program for that matter), or a great youth minister. Instead, the faithfulness of youth as they grew older was directly proportional to the number of relationships they had with mature Christians.
-Alan
Alan,
I remember when you mentioned that on your blog. It makes perfect sense.
The bible really is a book about relationships - relationship to God, and relationships with others. Even the Ten Commandments are all about relationships. The Sermon on the Mount certainly is as well. How easily we lose sight of this fact as we do all our church ceremonies, programs, etc.
For some of the same reasons that home school is so effective: a given kid has relationships with younger kids, peers, older kids and adults, home churches would seem to provide an environment where these relationships can occur naturally. Just a thought.
Jeff
Jeff,
I agree. Not surprisingly, this is also what we see biblically. Modern age-segregation is simply copying of a secular idea.
Eric,
I found this article that gives the results of the study that I mentioned (Something is not Right). This group still maintains that separating youth is a good idea, but they're trying to build "intergenerational relationships" while separating youth... sounds like a contradiction to me. But, they see the problems and recognize that relationships with many mature believers is what teenagers need.
-Alan
Alan,
Thanks again for the link. It's funny how we try to keep things basically the same even while recognizing problems. The group you mention seems to want to have it both ways.
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