UthLeader.com: Forums / High School / don't blame the parents?

Forums

UthLeader.com :: Forums :: High School

<< Previous thread | Next thread >>

don't blame the parents?

Author

Post

bap_ythleader

Sun Apr 13 2008, 10:35PM

Registered Member #245
Joined: Sun Apr 13 2008, 09:47PM
Posts: 7

I have a youth group that runs between 5-8 sometimes more on a good week, and I see so much potential among our youth, but there is just something holding them back, their parents. Now before you judge I am not one of those jump right to blaming the parents guys, I believe that by the time you reach teen age you are at least partly responsible for your actions, however you are also very impressionable and need guidence. The problem is that all of our teens parents do not make Christ a priority. It is like " Serve HIM if it is convienent!" like HE is some kind of hobby that you pick up when you walk through the door of the church and put down when you leave. I have a problem with this. I have been saved for seven years and have been actively involved in many ministries and My SAVIOR is more than just a hobby. I have been through alot in a short amount of time and would not still be serving HIM if that was the kind of faith I had! Teens are at the point in their lives where they make decisions that can alter the whole flow of their life for Christ. The bottom line I think is that most of them make a decision upon graduation about whether of not to seek and follow the will of God for their lives, now I understand that many teens walk away from God and then return to HIM later, I know this because I was one of them and that is why I understand that that is time lost that you can never get back! I am worried that if this situation isn't remedied there will be alot of regret. I was not only for advice but also much prayer, THANKX bap_ythleader

Chad

Mon Apr 21 2008, 06:54PM

Joined: Wed Mar 29 2006, 10:53AM
Posts: 20

I have to agree here. I also am not one to blame the parents first thing, but their influence in our young peoples' lives cannot be discounted either. Whether a teen wants to admit it or not, the example set by their parents has great affect on them. I too have parents who subscribe to the "serve Jesus if it's convenient" mentality. The priority in their minds for their kids often ranks something similar to this: family, school, God, friends, etc. What do you think we can do to help our parents realize this, other than our pastors preaching and teaching this from the pulpit? (which I hope all of our pastors do)

Chad Hayes
Assistant Pastor
Columbia Road Baptist Church, North Olmsted, OH
www.crbc-online.org

uthleader

Mon Apr 28 2008, 10:54AM

Big Cheese

Joined: Mon Mar 20 2006, 04:32PM
Posts: 97

I can certainly agree with what you guys are saying, but I think (in part) there is also a problem with US as leaders teaching people that we have to "live for Christ", instead of allowing Christ to live in us (ie. Galatians 5:21-22). Sometimes we preach standards so much that we raise the idea that a "good christian" is one who (then we give a list of things...) and yet someone can do that list of things and be far from God as a drunk in a bar.

And the biggest issue, as I see it is that our service for Christ should be motivated through our LOVE of Christ.

And there is a big disconnect at that point, because "LOVE" is something that the world has a different definition for (than the biblical definition). And really guys, I see that we as pastors and leaders have as hard a time LOVING and SERVING as most of the flock.

Many times we are good at DOING and ACCOMPLISHING and being CONSISTENT... and those are all good things and right things... in the right priority.

But until we LOVE from the pulpit (and that obviously means preaching the truth, even when hard) and we are able to teach LOVE to the parents and illustrate LOVE in our own service, we will continue to fight kids who have a big list in their mind of what a good Christian is.

And really that list and failure to adhere and accomplish it, should further illustrate the grace of God which should motivate our love even more.

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

angelove7

Mon Sep 21 2009, 01:25PM

Registered Member #418
Joined: Mon Sep 21 2009, 12:25PM
Posts: 1

i struggle with that in my church, but one thing my husband says is to not let thing stop you and keep going!!

When I was a child, I talked and acted like a child, When I became a Woman, I put those childish things away!!!

Moderators: uthleader, uthpastor, BBTUth, Chad, ZealMan