Princeton Irvin Parker: Generation "Why?"

Churches are realizing more than ever, the truth in the saying, "The children are the future." Across the country many churches are engaging in new initiatives to try to connect youth to the church. Such initiatives range from youth recreational activities to social networking, like church Facebook and Twitter pages. While the concern for the moral state of youth should be applauded, it is important to note that while activities and social media are ways to attract youth, what is more important is the message that is conveyed once the youth become involved in the church. Just because a young person has connected to the church, doesn't mean that they have connected to God. When it comes to religion, young people want more than fun activities and a social way to connect to their church. Young people want to know "Why?"

When we as young people ask "why?" it is not an accusatory question; a pessimistic question seeking to find flaws in Christianity; nor a question of defiance. It is a question that searches for the depth in Christianity that is relevant to our lives. We want to know, how is the God that our grandparents served relevant to our lives? In the wake of a technological age full of social and media progress, the message of a man whose claim to history was being hung on a wooden cross more than 2,000 years ago seems ancient. We need a true connection with God. The need for a true relationship with God stems from two things: our dislike of tradition, and the fact that in our generation we encounter so many tragic and dangerous situations, that we need someone who can help, when no one else can.

As young people, it is in our nature to question tradition. Anything that simulates structure or rules is usually a turnoff to us because we think that it inhibits our creativity, and stifles our freedom of decision and expression. Naturally, these feelings are carried into the church, where often all we hear are the dos and don'ts of traditional religion. To many of us, Christianity sounds like a set of school rules meant to keep us from enjoying life. This is why we love movements and idioms that promote fun, freedom, and creativity. Christ himself, however, promoted a message of joy. While his way came with sacrifice, he emphasized the reward that came as a result of it. In John 10:10 he says: "I come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly." Christianity stems around more than tradition, it is a lifestyle to be followed, a life that draws one closer to God himself. This is the message that we need to be taught and understand.

If churches want to ensure that this current generation will continue in the faith in our youth, instead of waiting 20 years from now when we have children, then the church must invest in conveying the message of a timeless, relevant God. Activities, music, and social networking are exciting and affective drawing tools for us. However, only true knowledge of, and a connection with God himself can sustain young people and accomplish the purpose of religion in general. Such purpose is to connect natural people to spiritual things. When we face challenging situations, making critical decisions, and the struggles that come with growing up, we need to know the power of God. We need to know what God has done for us by sending his son to die for our sins. We need to know that God loves us unconditionally and will forgive our sins. We need to know that God is powerful enough to take care of the world, yet cares enough about each individual to want to establish a relationship with them personally. We need to know that he is a very present help in the time of trouble. We need to know that God is able to answer our prayers and cries. Knowing this will give us the inspiration to pursue and establish that REAL and close, personal relationship with the God who meets us where we are. When we attain that true relationship with God, the future members of the church will have no problem serving God. The message is simple, if you want to really reach us, just answer the question "Why?"

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Follow Princeton Irvin Parker on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@PrincetonParke

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/princeton-irvin-parker/youth-christianity_b_1077374.html

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