Again I’m faced with the choice to write about a topic that puts me at risk in that people I know and love who know the situation will read it and vehemently disagree. It also can potentially be a very politically incorrect move. But again, in today’s world of blogging it is only natural that personal opinions can be public. Since I am neither running for church office or political office (and have no aspirations to), I feel free and even compelled to share my thoughts.
If you don’t want to hear my opinion – this is your chance to go read some meaningless pap – say the New York Times web site.
Once a year, our church has a youth trip to Florida during the week of spring break that transports about 70 high schoolers down to Florida to have fun and grow in Christ. Following the trip, the group takes a Sunday morning service to share their experiences and testimonies with the congregation at large. Today’s youth service was mediocre at best and too much of it was downright embarrassing. It took all of the worship hour then went into our communities’ hour (“Sunday School” for most of you) effectively taking the entire morning.
Community time was cancelled by default.
At risk of being perceived at being a curmudgeon I must say at the outset that there were at least two outstanding youth testimonies- the first being a young lady who spoke of being confident in Christ and the other was a young man who articulately read Bible verses that he lives by. The rest was either OK or a total waste of our church worship hour.
My problem is not with taking a Florida trip, it is solely with the content of the service. One hour of the two hour service was allocated to describing the fun and games. Dating games, shaving cream fights throwing girls in the ocean and ice cream parties- “it was all so much fun”. Literally, most of the congregation had to cringe through all this pap until we finally got to the spiritual part in the testimonies- an hour later.
The students did sing about 4 or 5 songs, and unfortunately the most memorable ones were, “Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything” from Veggie Tales and “I’m in the Lord’s Army” both popular songs for 5 and 6 year olds. Some thought it cute- I thought it was terribly embarrassing. My wife, especially, cringed thinking on how shallow youth activities have gotten since her Word of Life youth group days as a teenager.
I am generally irreverent and you may be surprised to hear my take on this – but I usually desire to be spiritually fed on Sunday morning, not entertained.
What is success in a youth spring break trip? From what I gathered, it was overwhelmingly the fact that everybody made it back safely and no one was seriously hurt. They were safe. Thank goodness. “Don’t worry, parents, we made sure that everybody was supervised and always safe.” Did I say that no one got hurt?
I remember a time when success was defined by the lives that were changed. Spiritually charged teens got up and gave voice to what God had done in their lives. Teens sang solo’s, played instruments, gave testimonies and challenged others to live for Christ. This used to be the predominate theme.
Spiritual growth did happen but it came across as the rare exception, not the rule.
Another unfortunate distraction of the youth service was the short (very short) skirt being worn by a very attractive tanned young lady in the front row of youth on stage. Did I mention her velvety skin and finally shaped body. My entire family noticed it, and I am willing to bet that every red-blooded American male in the service did, too.
But I know – I shouldn’t judge the length of skirts worn on the “stage” at church. I’m sorry for bringing it up. I guess I shouldn’t frown on lingerie, teddies and brass poles up there during testimony time, too. My bad.
“Discern not, lest ye be discerned.” Is that in the Bible?
If you don’t want to hear my opinion – this is your chance to go read some meaningless pap – say the New York Times web site.
Once a year, our church has a youth trip to Florida during the week of spring break that transports about 70 high schoolers down to Florida to have fun and grow in Christ. Following the trip, the group takes a Sunday morning service to share their experiences and testimonies with the congregation at large. Today’s youth service was mediocre at best and too much of it was downright embarrassing. It took all of the worship hour then went into our communities’ hour (“Sunday School” for most of you) effectively taking the entire morning.
Community time was cancelled by default.
At risk of being perceived at being a curmudgeon I must say at the outset that there were at least two outstanding youth testimonies- the first being a young lady who spoke of being confident in Christ and the other was a young man who articulately read Bible verses that he lives by. The rest was either OK or a total waste of our church worship hour.
My problem is not with taking a Florida trip, it is solely with the content of the service. One hour of the two hour service was allocated to describing the fun and games. Dating games, shaving cream fights throwing girls in the ocean and ice cream parties- “it was all so much fun”. Literally, most of the congregation had to cringe through all this pap until we finally got to the spiritual part in the testimonies- an hour later.
The students did sing about 4 or 5 songs, and unfortunately the most memorable ones were, “Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything” from Veggie Tales and “I’m in the Lord’s Army” both popular songs for 5 and 6 year olds. Some thought it cute- I thought it was terribly embarrassing. My wife, especially, cringed thinking on how shallow youth activities have gotten since her Word of Life youth group days as a teenager.
I am generally irreverent and you may be surprised to hear my take on this – but I usually desire to be spiritually fed on Sunday morning, not entertained.
What is success in a youth spring break trip? From what I gathered, it was overwhelmingly the fact that everybody made it back safely and no one was seriously hurt. They were safe. Thank goodness. “Don’t worry, parents, we made sure that everybody was supervised and always safe.” Did I say that no one got hurt?
I remember a time when success was defined by the lives that were changed. Spiritually charged teens got up and gave voice to what God had done in their lives. Teens sang solo’s, played instruments, gave testimonies and challenged others to live for Christ. This used to be the predominate theme.
Spiritual growth did happen but it came across as the rare exception, not the rule.
Another unfortunate distraction of the youth service was the short (very short) skirt being worn by a very attractive tanned young lady in the front row of youth on stage. Did I mention her velvety skin and finally shaped body. My entire family noticed it, and I am willing to bet that every red-blooded American male in the service did, too.
But I know – I shouldn’t judge the length of skirts worn on the “stage” at church. I’m sorry for bringing it up. I guess I shouldn’t frown on lingerie, teddies and brass poles up there during testimony time, too. My bad.
“Discern not, lest ye be discerned.” Is that in the Bible?
3 comments:
I have a comment on this that I would like to engage you on, Marcus. But ... I am a church officer and running for political office sometime down the road (God willing), so I won't share my thoughts here. PC is a necessary evil in my life!
Right on Mark, Grandpa Hutch
This reminds me of the report I had to make after spending the summer in Singapore. I don't remember it being shallow do you? You are right in that our youth seem shallow at times. But who are they a reflection of? Who are they being challenged by? Who are their examples? I don't know your church leaders or youth leaders, I'm sure they are excited, enthusiatic, with a desire to reach the lost. But must one become lost to reach the lost? Those who are spirtiual should judge that's in the Bible too. Not in a condemning judgemental way, (much like the old me) but in a discerning way. The youth group as it is now, is this what you hope your children to attain as those years are soon around the corner?
Kathy
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