How can a congregation connect with the youth of the congregation?

Part 1: Don’t Neglect Them! By Wes Garland       With the youth rally coming up later this week, I started thinking about the very needed topic as the title of this article. We have a great youth group here at Warners Chapel and it is important to make sure that we, as a congregation, give them what they need. Our youth today is longing to have the confidence that they belong and are accepted. Not to be seen as separate or outcasts but as part of the congregation and part of our family. I’ve been part of congregations that haven’t given this to the youth and it has “caused” the youth to look at those of other sources (ungodly or not) to find their place of acceptance and belonging. Let’s give this a thought. If a child is left neglected and left to themselves, what is going to be the result? Do you think that it will be a good or bad result? Do you think that it will help the church for the present and the future or do you think it will create a detriment for the church? If we ever want to have the church as solid as it can be now and in the future, we HAVE TO give attention to the youth. I am reminded of what is said in Proverbs 29:15 “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” This principle can truly be applied to the church as well. If we don’t give the youth the attention that they need, it will, not only affect the youth themselves but will also bring shame on the  church because they are seeking elsewhere what they should be receiving from the church family. The fact is they will find acceptance and belonging somewhere, but where will it be: the church family or the world?     Are we personally involved with our youth to give them a place of belonging or acceptance? If not, then start! They need it and so do you.

- Wesley Garland preaches for Warners Chapel church of Christ in Clemmons, NC. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://warnerschapelchurchofchrist.org/