“Youth are the future of the church!” How many times have we as youth leaders heard this statement? During the first week of July, I had the opportunity to attend Canada Youth 2006 as a youth ministry training track participant. If there was one message that played over and over in my mind, it was that “youth are the future of the church.” But what we kept discussing at CY was not so much the future of our youth, but how those youth can have an impact now. Watching the young people over the week allowed me to see how well they interacted in a Christian community with their peers, with adults and with God.
The youth at CY were from all over Canada but in a matter of hours, they came together to form a tight-knit community. From the moment I arrived I felt accepted. Everyone left their image at the door. For that week, we were nothing but Christians. Even as somewhat of an outsider because I was in a separate learning track, these youth thought nothing of spending time getting to know me and talking with me. During my initial moments there, I was not sure what to expect, but I was amazed by the openness and comfort these youth were showing me. All they required in return was that I show the same interest in them as they had taken in me. If congregations simply make the effort of showing interest in these youth, we would see just how much of a spark they have for God. It is easy to be caught in the trap of thinking you cannot relate to today’s youth due to age disparities. Take the time to talk and listen and you will see they are not so different from other generations. They are looking to adults for support, friendship and acceptance.
They also showed me in many ways what it means to be a true Christian. So often we are caught up in the standard prayers, church services and worship that we lose the excitement that originally sent us off on a quest to have a true and strong relationship with God. By watching these young adults actively worship and just sing with all they had to the glory of God, I was reminded of what Christianity is all about. If we all put more of our hearts into our walk with God instead of just going through the paces, it would inject new life into the church. To experience the enthusiasm of the praise band made up of young people, and seeing the outstretched arms of hundreds of teenagers reaching in the air as if toward God during worship, is what makes me think not only are these youth a strong force for the future, but many of them are making their mark right now.
I learned so much about how youth interact with adults. They worked hand in hand with adults whether in their small groups, or with the ministerial staff who organized worship services. The youth at this event showed a passion and drive for God unlike any I have ever seen. It made me see that even though I may not be a teenager anymore, I am still able to relate to them. They want the same things that we as adults want; they seek to be understood, accepted, cared for and appreciated. If congregations take the time to speak openly with their youth and to listen to them, it will only strengthen our church community. Our youth can amaze us with what they have to contribute to the church and can help us forge a renewed connection with God. Open your doors and minds to youth so that they can bring glory to God, not only in the future, but now.
