When Hard Things Get Harder
posted May 10th, 2007 in etc
Yesterday, after a month leave to my hometown, I returned to my youth group. I was numbed. I shouldn’t have been since I had been with the same people for 6 months, I had gotten used to their antics. While it wasn’t “acceptable” to me, I had ceased to be bothered by it. That, I realized, was a big problem. I’d seen their behavior as “normal” rather than appalling.
While I was in my hometown, I forgot about the “normal” behavior of the youth in my church. During my absence I had the opportunity to read two Josh Harris books that had both challenged and encouraged me in my Walk with God and focus on purity.
Going back to youth group was an awakening I hadn’t expected. I realized how wrong I was to brush off their behavior and was also numbed by how much had changed in the short month I was gone.
Our new youth Pastor has been in place since Easter, last night was the first time I met him as well as been under his “teaching”. When we all went downstairs chaos erupted, teens got into their “couples” and cliques as their mindless chatter grew to an almost intolerable level. I sincerely hoped that the new youth Pastor would be able to bring some form of order to the chaos. Those hopes, however, were dashed when he proposed we all break out into teams and play a “wireless”*
version of hide and seek.
The downfall of this was that more chaos erupted as all the teams tried to find each-other and argued over who’s phone to use. Thirty minutes later Seventy-five teens were running and yelling throughout the bottom floor of the building trying to find their team phone to text “There Is A Text Message From God” to their team leader first.
The principle was that God seeks you out like you would look for your cell phone. A great principle, but the 30 seconds spent on it before unleashing everyone to find their cell phones made the principle the last thing on anyone’s mind. As everyone loudly made their way back into the common area we attempted to proceed with cell phone trivia, and read two verses aloud so we could have the cell phone giveaways before dismissal.
The new youth pastor is nice enough and fun enough, but there is less of the Bible being taught now than there was before.
This presents a greater challenge. The youth still aren’t being fed and still don’t yearn for it, but with the chaos that erupts any attempt to speak is not just laughed at, but literally drowned out. There’s a gap in the road, the only way to cross it is to build a bridge. Last night I was at a loss for words, however I will not stay that way.
Jer 1:9 ΒΆ Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
God has placed in me a desire to reach out and show these people an alternative, He will give me the words when I am speechless. He will do the same for you in your situation, His power and glory will shine through if you let Him use you.
Kierstyn, I’ll be praying for you! I can imagine the frustration you must feel. But amidst that all, don’t forget that you’re not there to judge these people. They will have to answer to the Lord one day. Remember, too, that in your situation your actions may have to speak louder than your words. God bless you, dear!
This is my second time reading this and I still have no words…except ARRRRRGH. Praise God the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Rom 8:26)
Love dad
Hey Kiestyn! That is an important post you wrote. It really is sad how our Christain generation had let things “pass” that never would have been allowed twenty years ago. I have not joined a youth group recently in my neighborhood because of some things that you mentioned. I truely believe that the way Christain are going to effect this generation is by standing out and standing up. Not being “in” just so friends can notice you. Well, thats just my take on it. Know that there is others who do understand how you feel. God bless and keep up the great job! Kristyn
I used to attend a church with a youth group like that. My solution at the time? I got involved in the tech team, and did that instead of youth group (even during Sunday School *gasp gasp*). Its sad how our generation doesn’t really care about the Bible, they care about things that are just barely Bino (Biblical in name only), just Bino enough to get their consciences to let up.
Its a shame.
Are you their Jonah?
Perhaps you are their Nehemiah, who with a broken and contrite heart wept over God’s people and city before being empowered by God to rebuild it. Or is God calling you to be like Christ, to minister one-on-one like He did with His disciples?
What is your role in this relatively new situation, Kierstyn? Has God revealed it to you yet?
Perhaps your role — your ministry — in this situation is not yet clear, but what is clear is that for “such a time as this” God has sovereignly placed you in that youth group. Not a youth group full of believers with daily, personal walks with Christ, but with this specific group! Therefore you can rest assured, He has a plan to use you there.
But He won’t do through you what He has not done in you. Be still and ask God, “What is it You want to do in my heart, God, so I can be used by You?”
Kierstyn, though my meeting you and your parents at Saturday’s graduation was brief, I was, and am, deeply impressed with your passion to live out God’s Word, your drive to see change occur, and your love for your family. I believe God has designed you be a catalyst — “A substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.” You have demonstrated that within these web pages, and by your activeness with creating political awareness to invoke change.
You, Kierstyn Paulino, are a change agent for Christ.
I will be praying for you, that you see God’s next step in ministering to His people, and that He brings you not one but two people of like mind and heart, because “…A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
I look forward to reading your next report.
Hey Kierstyn!
I know exactly how you feel and admitting this just shows what a problem we have in our youth groups today. From my own experience I’ve been appalled to see that a lot of times entertainment is the focus rather than really seeking God. I actually heard a youth pastor say at a youth event something to the extent of, “Okay, gather around, we have to do our ‘Jesus thing’.” And it was like, “let’s get the ‘Jesus stuff’ done so we can get back to having fun.” A real shame. And like you, I became tolerant- but that’s not how we should be! I’m glad that you have resolved to do something, even if it’s just being willing to be lead when the time is right.
Thanks for be a great example!
Abigail
All to often, we don’t see what is going on around us until someone points it out.
You’re a good pointer-outer, Kierstyn!
hey Kierstyn! I just found your blog and remembered you!I went to a TeenPact that you staffed and you helped me with my press release speech… you have a great blog. keep it up!
Hmmm…yes, I too have some youth group memories. The last time I went to mine, I got a face full of clothespins. We were playing some mindless game whose object was to see how many clothespins each team could fit on the “volunteer’s” face. Our team won, but it was a painful experience, as I had nearly every square inch of my facial skin pinched by clothespins.
I also realized what you did, Kierstyn, except my parents made the call for me on continuing in the youth group, and I never went after that.
Now that I am college-age, I am avoiding the college/career/singles group. I would advise you do the same, if your church has one.
In general, your peers cannot do much to edify you, and certainly not near as much as your elders.
That sounds exactly like my youth group. Our church has it’s own hip hop team. I’m into high school this year and I’m probably not going to be in youth group much. I’ve been going to my parents Sunday school class for the past year. I learn more there than in youth. A lot more.