Everyone knows what the definition of insanity is, right? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This is something that I think we are guilty of in our Baptist churches. Let me explain myself.
In years gone by we had the power of God in our baptist churches. The people went to church and the glory fell. A revival meeting was a revival in the true sense of the word, people's lives were forever changed. Bars went out of business. Businesses shut down for the meeting, and a three night meeting was unheard of. Churches were growing in size, not shrinking in size. Their young people were not just in church, but active in church. They were excited about living their lives for God. Young men wanted to be called to preach, to go the mission field. The young ladies wanted to be preachers wives, and raise their children for the glory of God.
But what about today, what do we have today? Our revivals are revivals in name only. No one is changed, no one surrenders their life to God, half the people don't even show up. Yes the preaching is Doctrinally sound. It informs us and perhaps even stirs us, and we "Feel" like we have been renewed. Sad to say that our "Renewal" quickly wears off, and within a week or two we are back to our old routine.
Today we have more programs for our young people than you can shake a stick at! We have children's church, Awana, Kings Kids, church baseball, volleyball, basketball, and football teams. Hot dog Sunday, pizza Sunday, ice-cream Sunday...Sunday. And our youth today are leaving the church faster than rats off of a sinking ship.
So where does the insanity come in?
The last revival didn't work, so lets have another meeting. How do we prepare for this one, the same way we prepared for the last one. No prayer, no fasting, no weeping, not really wanting to go, dragging in late and can't wait to get out because we tivo'd our favorite TV MA rated show.
We can't keep youth in our churches, the ball teams aren't working, the clubs aren't working, the ice-cream Sunday... Sunday's aren't working. So what do we do? Add more ball teams, more clubs, more ice-cream.... you get the point! We do more of the same wishing so hard that it will work.
So what works? in part II we will take a look, and try to find that answer.
Young people are not going to stay for gimmicks...the definition of gimmick: "Sounds good, but what's the catch".
ReplyDeleteI believe that most churches totally miss the point with this 'youth group' mentality. I, too, believe that teens and young adults alike are jumping ship. I believe those that truly get saved will hang in, but the ones that are not rooted and grounded will bail out.
However, I believe a lot of loss is due to the lack of consistent CHRISTIAN living on the parts of parents and CHURCH MEMBERS. NO ONE is showing the MIND OF CHRIST nor are people seeing the LOVE of CHRIST. Where is the NURTURE and ADMONITION as spoken of in Ephesians.
Generally speaking, do not tell me that we have a slim chance to reach young people, and then preach to me about discipling someone as if they are 'my children' begotten in the faith.
Frankly, Brother, I'm frustrated with this 'gotta have fun to be a part of church' mentality.
Sid and I want our children to be encouraged and loved by us of course, but also by those 'great ones of faith'.
Insanity is when church members keep looking for quick fixes to major sins in our own lives...without consulting the LIVING BOOK. Bro. I can talk a good talk, but what is my walk saying.
(by the way, you've just given me a soap-box.) We (Sid and myself) refuse to lose our kids to the youth-group, pie-in-the face, come to church win a prize mentality.
However, I like to eat ice cream, just as much as the next person...I enjoy a good baseball game...in the proper scheme of things, we want to teach our kids how to have a blast in a Godly way...to fellowship with Godly people...to be FAMILY group oriented...but do we 'adopt' any of these young ones? I dare say only a few do.
Why are people jumping ship??? Because they've got nothing to hang onto! May we be an example, may we not only win the lost, but may we disciple the young and young at heart. We have a lot of spiritual autism...yet undiagnosed.
God Bless
waiting for part 2...;)
ReplyDeleteby the way, when's the next chili cook-off, valentine's banquet, fall-festival...etc...
ReplyDeletelet us not leave GOD out of our plans