The simple truth is that youth - especially the intelligent and socially aware - of today have a hunger for significance in their life. They are of an age when they see the unfairness of life and want to do something. They feel caught between the freedom of coming years and the chains that keep them connected to their childhood.
It seems to me that the answer might be to begin to engage these youths in significant areas of the local church: liturgists, ushers, greeters, committee members, speakers, teachers. The Basic course of the Lay Servant Ministries program would introduce them to the principles of servant ministry, faith development, and active faith living. The training would set them apart so mature people knew they had some knowledge of what they were doing. Advanced courses would make them Certified Lay Servants and establish some habits of disciple based living and serving to last a lifetime.
Most of all, they could be engaged in actively seeing needs and crafting responses of ministry to those needs. Their energy and passion would enthuse others and generate engagement and support.
Imagine Sunday mornings with youth prominently leading the proceedings. They are the future of the Church and they are workers who must carry the Gospel to a new generation. That means changes as they craft a church to meet the needs of the coming years. We can do that in love, support, and friendship or we can drive them out of the church with our unwillingness to release the reins and allow new things to emerge.
What is the best choice?
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