Biblical worldview in the church

Church

The Bible implores young people to be leaders in their spiritual communities, for youth can be the pallbearers of faith. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity," (1 Timothy 4:12). For a church to remain relevant for today's youth, it must actively communicate with young people using the symbols, language, and activities that the current generation appreciates and understands. The challenge is to retain core church values while still packaging traditional Biblical truths in new ways. In other words, churches need to be careful not to sacrifice core values, but to always help young people see how faith and service are important parts of spiritual growth, social functioning, and overall health and happiness.

The church I currently attend does a good job of keeping young people active and interested in faith-related activities. Every Wednesday and Sunday, young people can participate in church-sponsored programs. The regularity and routine of church youth programs helps to establish discipline and focus from a young age. Likewise, the youth programs introduce young Christians to one another, helping to forge lifelong ties with peers and members of the community and clergy. For example, after youth group meetings, we usually go out for coffee or food and socialize. This entrenches us in church life, making religion a part of our public and private lives.

However, there are many things that our church could do better to help attract and retain young people. As I reflect on what an ideal church would be for young people, I can think about the following areas of improvement in my current church. The first is the sermons. While some of the sermons have strong content, their length can be off-putting to many young people. The preachers would do better to create more succinct sermons, while retaining the core of the religious message. Young people are used to brief but strong statements of relevance, and we can easily reflect more on the ideas raised in service by doing our own research later.

Another area of improvement that would help create an ideal church for young people would be to make the musical program more relevant and interesting. Hymns should be re-packaged for modern ears. I have noticed many of my peers at church slacking off in attendance because they cannot relate either to the music or to the length of the sermons. Similarly, the dress code in our church is a little outdated. Young people are turned off by rigid dress codes, even when we do appreciate the value of conservative dress.

Developing a church that is relevant to young people is a core biblical tenet. One of the reasons young people need a strong church is that there are too many temptations that can lead young people astray. Peer pressure, media, and other influences can corrupt young minds easily. Insecurity or a weak social environment can also cause a young person to doubt their faith and even shun the church entirely. The consequences of turning away from God can be dreadful, leading to loss of self and loss of community. Faith can help young people remain abstinent and focused on God's plan rather than succumbing to temptations like sex and drugs. "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Young people are sometimes pulled in different directions from popular culture and secular society, versus religiosity. Only when churches actively cultivate young minds are youth able to resist the nefarious temptations that lurk everywhere in society, from television to the Internet.

The Internet is not something to be feared, but to be harnessed by church leaders. I believe that the ideal church for young people uses social media to reach out and attract new members. Our church currently does not do enough to win over the hearts and minds of young people with new technology. Technology is the way we communicate these days; even if it was not the same tools and technologies used in Biblical times, the underlying messages are the same. God is love, and through spreading the gospel, we spread the word of God. Social media allows young people to connect with one another, and share ideas.

God's will and plan is only perceptible by those who have faith, believe in Christ, and help to spread the word of the gospel. Young people need focus, direction, discipline, and a spiritual community. The sense that we are not alone is the key to creating a church that is relevant to young people. The Bible tells us that God has a plan for each and every person, and that plan can give hope to those who despair. Therefore, I believe that the most important feature of a church that can remain relevant for young people is to show how the person can be of use in spreading the gospel. "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,'" (Jeremiah 29:11). My church does not have enough exciting missionary activities that can encourage young people to join and serve God. Young people want to travel and learn about other people, which is why a missionary program is especially relevant to youth. Once we marry and start families, it is far more difficult to conduct and carry out missionary activities. This is why churches need to develop missionary programs that are tailored for young people.