Let's take our young people seriously

Dear Susan and Ed:

I overheard some young people in our church talking about their place in the church. It seems they feel they are not taken seriously, not given anything important to do and treated like children.

This concerns me. I see these young people as the future of the church and I'm afraid they'll want to leave.

Concerned

Dear Concerned:

If young people leave, the church will have a hard time surviving.

The mission of the church is much more than survival, however. Young people challenge the way things have always been done. They have courage, insight, enthusiasm and dreams, which the church needs. It is easy to believe we already know what and how things should be: what hymns to sing; what music to play; how to state our faith; what the really important issues are.

Times change. Young people are confirmed as full members of the church so that they can participate fully in the life of the church. Neither generation knows everything that is needed to keep the church on God's agenda.

There is biblical support for the importance of young people in the church. The third chapter of 1 Samuel tells how Samuel, a young boy, was ministering in the Temple. He heard a voice call his name. Three times he went to Levi, the priest, asking what he wanted. Finally, Levi got the idea that it was God calling Samuel and instructed Samuel to answer God's call. The story is very dramatic and illustrates that God called a young boy for service.

There are provisions in our church for youth to be represented at every level on boards and committees. This is not enough, however. It is important that young people know they are wanted, their opinions are important, their optimism is needed to keep the church alive and in touch with every generation.

The church is a house for all God's people. Let us open the doors!

Sincerely,
Ed and Susan Alley

Letters may be sent to the Alleys at the Kairos Center for the Family,
4337 Kessler Blvd. N. Drive, Indianapolis, Ind. 46228.

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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