Are we giving a Spineless Faith to Teens?

There is a lot of conversation these days about the impact of faith in our culture and among the Next Generation. A CNN article by John Blake highlighting the research of Kenda Dean is gripping. It is must read for any Christ-follower, especially ministry leaders and parents.

Here are a few of the statements in the article that grabbed my attention:

• “Warning: Your child is following a ‘mutant’ form of Christianity, and you may be responsible.”
• “American teenagers are embracing what she calls ‘moralistic therapeutic deism.’ Translation: It’s a watered-down faith that portrays God as a “divine therapist” whose chief goal is to boost people’s self-esteem.”
• “[Dean] found that most American teens who called themselves Christian were indifferent and inarticulate about their faith.”
• “Some adults don’t expect much from youth pastors. They simply want them to keep their children off drugs and away from premarital sex.”
• “Others practice a ‘gospel of niceness,’ where faith is simply doing good and not ruffling feathers. The Christian call to take risks, witness and sacrifice for others is muted, she says.”
• “If teenagers lack an articulate faith, it may be because the faith we show them is too spineless to merit much in the way of conversation,” wrote Dean

Dean says committed Christian teens share four traits:

• They have a personal story about God they can share
• Deep connection to a faith community
• A sense of purpose
• A sense of hope about their future

With 15+ years of working with teens and transitioning 3 student ministries over the years, here are a few thoughts that I believe are crucial for teens to experience in the church:

1. Teaching clearly from God’s Word: God’s Glory, their sin & need for redemption, their purpose to extend God’s Glory…trust, risk, courage, boldness
2. Make sure students are connected in small groups to an adult(s) who follows God & is committed to apprenticing teens
3. Have a point leader(s), communicator(s), etc. who displays character, lifestyle and passion for God and His mission
4. Have students serving in significant roles in your church weekly
5. Send students on mission trips that are out of context, focused on the Gospel and even international
6. Teach and preach a vision for their life that is bigger that being a good American, just being nice, living a good life or a good citizen…unleash them to abandon the lifestyle of the culture and radically follow Christ

At LifePoint, we have made some intentional steps over the last six to seven years to help student own their faith and have an authentic relationship with Christ. The task is overwhelming, we have done some things that have proved effective and yet still feel a burden to do more. I would love to read your thoughts and even what you have seen to help students live out a Biblical faith.