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WHY DON'T TEENAGERS COME ON SUNDAYS?
BRIAN MANN

After several years of youth ministry, I've begun to notice something. (Maybe you've noticed it too.) When I go to church on Sundays, I don't see teenagers there. I do see families with baby strollers and elderly people. I watch small children playing and have coffee with university students. But I rarely ever see teenagers. I've noticed a similar phenomenon in large churches and small ones - across North America and in Europe. Even churches with dynamic youth ministries seem to be missing teenagers in their Sunday worship services. What's the problem? Where are the teenagers? Why aren't they coming? And do we care?

As youth workers in our local church, my wife and I dedicate much of our week to the needs of teenagers. We try to be good listeners, relevant teachers, and good friends. We spend time planning youth events we hope will minister to their specific needs. And we get to see exciting growth in their lives. Sometimes, it's tempting for us to think that we alone have the tools to reach this generation. And it's tempting for our church to leave the job of youth work entirely to us. After all, we're the youth leaders. As long as there's some place for teenagers to go on the weekend, then the church's responsibility ends there, right?

Mike Yaconelli, a veteran youth pastor in California and founder of Youth Specialties.com once wrote, "Youth groups are good.  But there's something better. It's called church. Not youth church, or contemporary church. Just plain old boring, ordinary church. The place where people who don't know each other get to know each other. It's the place we grow old together. And it turns out that growing old together is still the best way to bring true growth to the lives of teenagers. Growing old together is where we teach (and learn from) each other what discipleship means in the everyday world."

So why are there so few teenagers at your church on Sundays? Do they think the music is too old? Do they think the service is slow and boring? Of course they do. But boredom usually isn't a big enough reason to stay away. For many teenagers, they simply feel like they don't belong there. A sense of community is such a high value to this young generation. Whereas previous generations preferred to be their own individuals, teenagers today are far more group-minded. And in a world where they feel more and more isolated, they are constantly searching for a place they can experience a sense of belonging.

In 1 Corinthians 12:27, Paul says "now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." And what does the body of Christ look like? People who walk through all stages of life together - teenage years, marriage, children, getting old, and finally dying. And all the while learning how to become more like Christ - together. This isn't just some idyllic picture, it's the biblical definition of the church - teenagers included.

The need to reach this generation is crucial. The church as we know it is literally fading away without them. But please don't settle for the conventional wisdom that only youth workers can effectively reach teenagers. It's simply not true. Teenagers need your church - and your church needs teenagers! Take the initiative to get to know a few and get involved in their lives. Let them know that they belong in your church. (Their generation values relationships - so there's no need to be intimidated.) Listen to them and laugh with them.  Once they come, let them be an influence in your worship services. (You'll probably be pleasantly surprised.) And above all, share life with them week after week and you might notice the body of Christ beginning to grow and thrive.

 Brian Mann

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The Article above from OM´s News and Prayer Paper OMEGA Sweden 2005/1

Read about >> Operation Mission SWEDEN