Our Youth - Being Involved in Church

 
How would you describe your church experience…engaging, innovative, and relevant? Remember back to the good ole days when as kids our family's schedule was pretty basic, slower paced and here in the South we had Sunday morning and evening services and Wednesday youth expectations. A lot has changed since those days and there is strong competition for our time, talents, and treasures---all fighting for our attention and affections. Unfortunately, when captured, it is our church commitments that usually suffer.   You've seen the church marquee posting that reads:  "What's missing? ch_ _ ch - ur" and we are as a nation. 
 
So, how realistic is it for our youth to be enamored with church? There are three keys for effective youth groups. You might be surprised but they are not the coolest games, skits and big toys. Rather they are much deeper with core values that meet internal longings. Everyone has longings for security, acceptance, to be heard and to be validated….the list goes on. Those three keys are:
 
BE RELEVANT
BE RELATIONAL
BE REAL
 
Is it conceivable that one week at a Christian camp can stimulate more spiritual fervor than a year in Sunday school? Now, this question is not intended to be offensive, rather to stimulate our thought process of encouraging our kids to get connected and stay connected to church. Here at T Bar M we are a supplement to church, we want to come alongside teens and preteens and challenge them to become leaders in their local church. Strong words such as "ignite and unite" describe our desire for our campers as they invest, grow and make significant impacts within their church bodies.
 
Honestly, there are some lame youth programs that are accustomed to the "same ole - same ole" which hardly have a pulse. Let me assure you that there are also vibrant, life-changing church youth programs which are making a difference in the lives of everyone they touch. They are impacting both their local and global community. How is this possible … it takes intentional hard work and commitment through prayer, participation and patience all of which require time and sacrifice. You also want everyone to have personal ownership in the youth group's direction and focus. There does need to be room to be spontaneous, yet there must also be structure to achieve your goals and objectives.
 
T Bar M Camps is thrilled to share any of our summer camp Bible studies and ideas.  Praying for and being available for campers and their families throughout the year is a privilege. One thing for sure… Scripture is non-negotiable!  You have to be scripturally sound.  Any watered down Gospel or rigid dogma will turn youth away. 
 
…….Season your service with Grace (Colossians 4:6)
…….Be quick to hear and slow to speak (James 1:19) 
…….Be transparent… This is not easy for parents since our aura is that we've "got it together" --um hum. Just be open and available, take comfort in knowing that "God is more interested in our availability than our ability." Go for it and have fun!