How can we as the church reach this generation of youth?

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I am probably going to get into huge troube for saying this but God and the church aren't the same, are they? Because there are a lot of different churches and religions and they can't all be right. I believe in God but I go to church because my family do, like most kids. I sort of have to go. And all these adults trying to be so right on and trendy are a bit sad, when what they really mean is you cant do that, or that, or that. I like church when I can help people or do some good.
 
There are a few things that need addressing here. First off, no one "owns" the church. Its not mine, our yours. Its God's. Respect that above all else. Secondly, I can only think of maybe 2-4 people who are bossy in my church, but mainly we try to handle incidents as low on the totem pole as possible. If that person happens to be a senior youth, so be it. Third, the way I want to help is through disaster response. All the local churches ever do is just give money. OK, yea, it helps, but we need to be sending teams out to actually make a difference. Granted the process is long to organize, train, and build a team, but Im in charge of that at my church and its going well for us. If an emergency comes, we call in our youth and deploy them as deemed necessary. The kitchen personnel prepare food and water for victims and workers, and we also have a crew that staffs the "Mission HQ" working with radios, maps, and communicating with Public Safety officials. I oversee the entire process and Im only 17.
 
Fran123 said:
I am probably going to get into huge troube for saying this but God and the church aren't the same, are they? Because there are a lot of different churches and religions and they can't all be right. I believe in God but I go to church because my family do, like most kids. I sort of have to go. And all these adults trying to be so right on and trendy are a bit sad, when what they really mean is you cant do that, or that, or that. I like church when I can help people or do some good.
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You are correct. God and the church, as we have organized it, think of it, and use it, are not the same thing.
 
Willie-T said:
You are correct. God and the church, as we have organized it, think of it, and use it, are not the same thing.
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Thank you, I was worried someone would get cross.
I don't mean I don't want to go. I mean I don't always want to go to church but I do sometimes. I just don't think it's got that much to do with what I feel about God.
 
Fran123 said:
Thank you, I was worried someone would get cross.
I don't mean I don't want to go. I mean I don't always want to go to church but I do sometimes. I just don't think it's got that much to do with what I feel about God.
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I've always looked at it as the church is or atleast SHOULD be a representation of who God is! When people come to the house of the Lord they should feel, see, and experience JESUS! But because we've gotten away from the foundation, church has become just something to do for some people and not a life changing experience.
 
InspiringThroughChrist said:
So I've been working really hard and seeking God a lot lately about creative ways that we as the church can reach this generation of youth (ages 18 and under). I believe in this hour God is interested in the destiny of our youth like never before! If you are in this age bracket what are some things that you believe we as the church can do to reach you and your peers more? I would love to hear your opinions
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I think making youth group a lot easier for "non-social" youth to join. Also, making it easier for youth to go on mission trips!!! I would also like more volunteering opportunities for teens
 
Oh, one more thing. Teenagers and kids are often overlooked in "needing help" In my church there has been 7 suicides in 6 months done by students my age. I have found that no one reaches out if you are sad, or no one notices. So I would like for that to be changed
 
as a 16 year old teen myself, I think it's best not to fluff up church. personally, I hate beating around the bush, I'd much rather just get to the point. For the kids that attend church, please teach them the truth. teach them that serious times are coming ahead and that we need to prepare ourselves mentally, emotionally, and physically! so many people (especially the millennials) are oblivious to reality. they're caught up in the fluff. the unimportant issues.

I've been watching the Jim Bakker Show lately and I think that the points they make on that show are points that need to be made in churches and youth groups everywhere!! They talk about current events from a Christian perspective and it's really eye opening. I know that I would love to hear this kind of stuff at my church. These days, everything seems way too political. But, the church should be the one place that doesn't have to be politically correct... However, it doesn't seem to be like that anymore.

Long story short, I know that I would appreciate the cold hard facts given to me. No fluff or political correctness mixed in.
 
Just pass some gospel tracts and share the gospel. Invite them to your church, then fetch them on Sunday morning. keep praying for the person you invite and surely God will bless you.
 
Something my pastor showed us awhile back.

What you win people with, you win them into.

What does this mean? If you win them with a "rock concert" or "entertainment" etc, then they will be won to those very things, and come to expect it. Thus when you want to focus on the word of the Lord, they will wonder where their entertainment is and very possibly turn away. As people have stated before, we shouldn't try to draw people in with gimmicks. We do not need to be found doing the things of the world to bring in the kids of the world. As with any other witnessing, let the light of Christ shine in us, and those whom the ground is prepared will be drawn in by that light.
 
The Apostle Paul understood it clearly, without gimmicks :)

1 Corinthians 2

4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Shalom
 
NarrowRoadDisciple said:
Something my pastor showed us awhile back.

What you win people with, you win them into.

What does this mean? If you win them with a "rock concert" or "entertainment" etc, then they will be won to those very things, and come to expect it. Thus when you want to focus on the word of the Lord, they will wonder where their entertainment is and very possibly turn away. As people have stated before, we shouldn't try to draw people in with gimmicks. We do not need to be found doing the things of the world to bring in the kids of the world. As with any other witnessing, let the light of Christ shine in us, and those whom the ground is prepared will be drawn in by that light.
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Your pastor nailed it.:)
 
joyyyyccceee said:
as a 16 year old teen myself, I think it's best not to fluff up church. personally, I hate beating around the bush, I'd much rather just get to the point. For the kids that attend church, please teach them the truth. teach them that serious times are coming ahead and that we need to prepare ourselves mentally, emotionally, and physically! so many people (especially the millennials) are oblivious to reality. they're caught up in the fluff. the unimportant issues.

I've been watching the Jim Bakker Show lately and I think that the points they make on that show are points that need to be made in churches and youth groups everywhere!! They talk about current events from a Christian perspective and it's really eye opening. I know that I would love to hear this kind of stuff at my church. These days, everything seems way too political. But, the church should be the one place that doesn't have to be politically correct... However, it doesn't seem to be like that anymore.

Long story short, I know that I would appreciate the cold hard facts given to me. No fluff or political correctness mixed in.
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I absolutely agree!
 
supreme court case church vs. the federal government does your book having a quote from the creator saying "I have given you every herb bearing seed, for you it is to do what you wish with," mean that every herb bearing seed is an unalienable right from God in your religion
 
Share God's truth in love, no holds barred
Answer their many questions with well-reasoned and biblically-seasoned answers
Model Christian love in thought, word and deed
Befriend communities and learn to understand their perspectives, passions etc.
 
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