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...

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 Similarly, the dress code in our church is a little outdated.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…