Chris Johnson in a Worldview Christian Network article points out something I think we need more of when discussing youth ministries. He asks what the ramifications of the pizza party-fun mentality is in so many youth groups today. Actually, we've had this sad phenomenon with us now for about 30 years. And how did those teens turn out? Well, check out many of our church leaders today in their 30's and early 40's and we'll find out. Emergent, seeker-sensitive, gospel-lite or even gospel-no and so forth. Of course there are some good leaders in this age group too.
Chris writes what I regard as one of the most profound and statements of truth I've ever read about this "pizza party" youth ministry stuff.
The objective of youth ministry is to call young people to genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. To direct them in the paths of righteousness that lead to life, to call them to a life of holiness and model this life in front of them. It is not to entertain and appease their sinful flesh.
Well finally! Someone said it out loud. Chris then points out some outcomes of this type of ministry. I call it clown youth church.
He says the first outcome is what happens to the unsaved visitor. It basically is deceptive because they promise him a good time and then try to sneak some gospel in. He is told he can go to heaven if he prays a prayer. The problem with this approach is the lack of information to make the prayer meaningful and to allow the Holy Spirit to work on the visitor's heart. It's very simlar to what I heard on Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life DVD series for small groups. At the end of the first session, after talking about God having a purpose for you in your life, Warren says in essence, "If you want this purpose in your life, why don't you accept Christ right now." Not enough background info IMO.
The second outcome Johnson discusses is the actual member of the youth group. He never or rarely hears from this group the message of sanctification and leading a holy life of repentance and Christian growth. Johnson hits it home when he says,
What we see is at best a malnourished young believer who will most certainly grow up to be a shallow self-centered Christian and worst of all he is still lost in his sinfulness without a clue that he is on His way to hell. I know these words are sobering but how long will we ignore what is happening to our young people?
The third outcome according to Johnson is the Youth Intern. He has learned only the "pizza party way of holding a youth group and simply repeats it to the next group. Johnson sums up what this leads to,
I have been around many young people and I have seen the tragic lives that they live - lives without any purpose except fulfilling their own desires. There is no devotion to Jesus and His purpose for their lives. There is no concern for the lost souls around them because it is possible that they too might be in the same boat.
And then he leaves us with this sobering thought,
My prayer is that we would return to real Biblical Christianity. Let us call this generation to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. It is the only way. It is not old-fashioned nor out dated. If we don’t begin now to call these young people to a real walk with Christ based upon the truth found in the Bible, we will not only lose them but many generations after them. We must answer the call and stand Truth.
Source: http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/2186/Chris_Johnson
A Prayer Request & Thanks
1 week ago
2 comments:
The youth in our church, just this week, are engaged in an intense mission trip to a neighborhood just 8 miles from home. Our church, which is entirely white, is partnering with a church in that neighborhood that's entirely African-American, in an outreach to their community. There is a mix of ministry, from praying, to sharing the gospel, to giving food and household goods to needy families.
It's hard work. But friendships are developing across racial lines. Students are discovering their needs for a deeper walk with Christ. And they're probably going to have pizza sometime this week, too. But they're going to remember it as something God has done, not as a party. Our prayer is that the relationships that both youth and adults are building now will last.
tom,
Good to hear this. And for the record, I'm not against eating pizza which I love. YOu know what I mean I'm sure--the "empty" piza youth group.
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