I am reading this great book by Jason Gardner called Mend the Gap - Can the Church reconnect the generations?
In it he suggests, and I must admit I see where he's coming from, that our style of youth work plays to the separation of the generations that has taken place over the past few years, where young people no longer see value in engaging with adults and where adults generally fear young people. At one time it was the role and responsibility of adults to pass on knowledge to young people but this has been undermined by the increase in technology where the young show the old how to do it. With that happening, something in their head says "we know more than adults, so what can they offer us?" Trouble is that they look to the media, to their peer groups.
Our response, he argues, is that we try and make church easier, more entertaining and gathering in peer groups, which only plays to the underlying questions. He quotes from Tomlin (Spiritual Fitness, p 12): "If churches became known as places where you could learn how to love, to trust, to hope, to forgive, to gain wisdom for life, then they might begin to be attractive, perhaps even necessary places to belong to. Paradoxically, it is not making Christianity easier to follow that will help it thrive again, but making it harder. Only a distinct form of discipleship that offers real transformation will seem worth it."
Mend the Gap by Jason Gardner, published by IVP, isbn: 978-1-84474-284-4, £8.99 - order through Diocesan Resources Centre - ring Ron: 01727 818158
Something to think about! Any thoughts or comments?
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