Committed

Tonight I sat in a meeting with 13 youth workers who are burdened and committed to the youth in our church. They are heroes in my book. It's a beautiful thing to see the body of Christ rally together during times of need..and I guess pretty much anytime. These are people who have busy lives, children of their own, bills to pay, jobs to work and yet, in the midst of all that...they are committed to supporting the efforts of parents who are teaching their children to grow in their relationship with Christ. For some youth, these are the only adults who give them any type of Christ-centered guidance in their lives.

As I looked around and listened to the concerns, burdens and heartaches of these adults, I thought about how blessed these youth are to have this extra support system around them. They take this calling seriously.  They hurt when the students hurt, rejoice when they rejoice. They want God's best for their lives and pray for their futures. They're concerned about today as well as the choices facing them tomorrow.

They're not perfect....but they are concerned....and they are praying. It was a beautiful thing to get to meet with them, share some good food and laughs and then share our hearts together.

Thank you God for a sweet time of fellowship.

Question: How have you honored those who teach you or your family about God lately? I was thinking of trying to do something special for these workers and would love to hear your ideas....comment below!

The Church of Today

This morning I was up early and browsed through a whole long list of facebook status updates from the last couple of days. I saw 4 post that where nearly identical. You know what they said? .....thanks for asking...I'll tell ya....They all said something like "Pray for my child or so-n-so's teenager...after all they are the church of tomorrow".

I've heard this said many a time before and each time it hits on a bit of a nerve. Does it you? I mean, really, our kids...our teenagers...the church of tomorrow? I think I am just about ready to stand up and say NO!

Kids and teenagers who know Christ are part of the CHURCH OF TODAY! They are vital to what is happening today in the church. They don't need to wait until they are 18 or 21 to wake up and say..."oh, right, now I am a part of the church of today". Their worth is as great today as it will be in 10 years. If you don't think kids and teens are part of the church today, I would strongly urge you to take a trip to your child's Sunday School class, AWANA, children's church or other Kid-friendly program. You will see kids actively and aggressively participating in worship, learning and scripture memory and reading. If we added just a touch of their excitement for the things of God to our worship services on Sunday we might get a glimpse of what the church of today could really be!

I've seen teenagers who serve the Lord more faithfully and more joyfully than adults. Don't get me wrong. I am not saying we don't need adults. I am saying that we don't need to wait until teens become 20's to welcome them into the church of today. They are valuable, moldable, teachable and most of all ready to commit to a wild adventure with God. They don't know about being careful instead they take risks. What better time to let them know we are counting on them TODAY to do something for Christ?

The trend for church raised kids is to stray from the church during their 20's. Let's stop the cycle. Let's move in a direction to mentor and grow youth to a deeper understand of their position in Christ and the church.

I promise I am stepping off the soap box right now. Finished for today.