Editors' Note: Everyone has an opinion about youth
ministry. Parents, pastors, and the youth themselves have expectations
and demands that don't always overlap. But the rash of dire statistics
about the ineffectiveness of youth ministry has prompted rethinking in
these ranks. So we devote one day per week this month to exploring
several issues in youth ministry, including its history, problems, and
biblical mandate. The Gospel Coalition thanks Cameron Cole and the
leadership team of Rooted: A Theology Conference for Student Ministry for their help in compiling this series. Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, will host their 2012 conference
from August 9 to 11. Speakers Ray Ortlund, Timothy George, and Mary
Willson will expound on the conference theme, "Adopted: The Beauty of
Grace."
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I have walked for ten years with Allen, who was my closest Christian
friend in high school. During our senior year we were "on fire" for God
and set out to walk with Christ throughout college. After our freshman
year, I watched my poor friend weep often about why he did not
experience Christ in a real way. His youth ministry had sold him a
message that faithful obedience before God would yield an experiential
intimacy and spiritual euphoria, which he failed to encounter. In spite
of tireless religious striving, Allen felt as if his pursuits resulted
in a tumbling spiral into a deep, dark void.
Not surprisingly, Allen became disenchanted with Christianity and the
church. Only after ten years of courageous waiting and honest
reflection has he been able to re-engage church without resentment and
wounding. He synopsizes his youth ministry's message with a story, which
his youth pastor used to tell kids. The story basically involved a sad
man, sitting in a corner, disappointed and hurt by his children, who he
wished would come pay attention to him. Continue at Cameron Cole
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