TOGETHER: Next generation deserves investment

Posted: 7/21/06

TOGETHER:
Next generation deserves investment

Children and teenagers get a lot of attention from churches during the summer, and we are hearing great reports of decisions made and lives touched. This is happening through Baptist camps, Super Summer, Vacation Bible Schools, the Texas Baptist All-State Choir and Band, Youth Evangelism Conference, church mission trips and other activities.

Of course, children and youth ministries are not just for the summer. Every Sunday of the year, young people study God’s word in Sunday school, learn to relate to one another and discover the church and its leaders truly care for them.

Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.” Jesus-kind-of-churches reach out to children and young people. They pray for them and give them opportunities to know the Bible and to respond to the Holy Spirit’s invitation to follow Christ. These churches, like Jesus, know how to enjoy life, how to have a party with their kids. They are not stodgy, grim or afraid of life. They believe God loves every kid in town and are looking to reach out to every one of them.

If a church quits caring for children and youth, making a real place for them in the life of the church, soon a whole generation of kids comes and goes without the gospel making a difference in their lives. It can happen before you know it. A church can get preoccupied with other things, can go through division and hurt, and can disappoint through the moral failure of leaders.

Years ago while in college, I was the pastor of a small church in an Oklahoma village. We had a revival meeting at the end of the summer, and 22 teenagers gave their hearts to Christ. It was a great time in that community and in our church, but I was keenly aware that for a few years before then, there had been no revival, no youth activities, not much attention given to the young people in that town.

In our church in Arlington, I remember a time when we were going through a drought in our youth activities. Leaders had gotten distracted and had forgotten how to relate to young people. One evening at church, I realized it had to change. An unwillingness to do what needed to be done to care for young people was costing a whole generation of youth the opportunity to really know the gospel and find God’s direction in their lives. We changed.

Working with children and youth is serious as well as joyful business. It requires our best efforts, our prayers and our willingness to be involved with a caring and generous heart.

A mother wrote in appreciation for the Texas Baptist All-State Youth Choir experience for her daughter: “I know this is a lot of work for you and the other adults, but it is sooo appreciated. The adults are all so talented, on fire for the Lord and genuinely love to spread his word through music. My daughter will never forget this experience. She has not stopped talking about her week yet!”

When I think of all the people in our Texas churches who help work with children and young people, I think of a quote I heard the other day from Melinda Gates of Microsoft fame: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.”

Texas Baptists believe in going together.

We are loved.

Charles Wade is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.