I'm a double PK (Preacher's Kid — both of my parents are ministers) and so church has been my second home. I don't go to church because I have to, or because I feel obligated to. I go because I want to be there. Being part of a church gives me a sense of community. I don't know how it is for other ministers' kids; but my congregation has been very supportive of me and my sisters.
When friends find out that I am a Christian, they almost always ask me about my perspective on gay marriage or sex before marriage. That seems to be what they think Christians are concerned about these days. I am never asked about my personal faith or what it means to me, or why I believe. Then, when they find out my parents are ministers, there is a sense of pity in their voices. They ask me if my parents make me go to church or about all the rules they impose.
I have a lot of non-Christian friends and we have a lot of spiritual talks. Many of them say they don't like the idea of organized religion. They only go to church at Christmas and Easter, and never feel they belong. A lot of their understanding of the Christian faith is from media, from their parents and from their peers.
They remind me that a lot of horrible things have happened in the world in the name of religion and this is another reason for their cynicism. They see the Christian faith in terms of rules and being told what to think and what to do. I try and explain faith from my perspective and what my experience of the church has been. Generally, I find my friends to be open to these conversations, as long as I'm not trying to convert them.
I have been involved in AIDS fundraising and Adbusters (which critiques society and tries to change the media), as well as the Charity Council at University. All of these seem a natural extension of my Christian faith and what Jesus was all about. My school friends however, do not see the connection at all and that sometimes makes me sad, other times frustrated.
I have been teased for being so positive and cheerful and even a goody-goody. And, I have been told that I can't be critical in my thinking because of my faith perspective.
Some teens do take a very fanatic approach and try to convert their friends. Their spirituality seems somewhat extreme at times, and from my perspective, I don't see a lot of dialogue. They talk, but don't listen. However, some of these youth really had a conversion experience; they used to be drug addicts and school bullies; then a friend took them to a Christian youth rally and they became Christians. Their theological perspective has a strong focus on personal salvation.
I feel very grounded in who I am as a person and the choices that I make day-to-day. I believe that this is because of my faith in Christ. I am grateful that so far there haven't been too many dilemmas in my life where I didn't know what I should do, or not do.
For me, church is a place where I belong. It is like the soil where I am rooted. It's a place for fun with friends and a place to grow closer to God and grow as a person. The church has provided me with community, encouraged me to take a stand and make a difference.
