Filed under: Middle school, High school, Teenager, 13-14 years, 15-19 years, SpiritualityMy parents were never regular church-goers, and as a result, I had the opportunity to attend a variety of church services by choice with friends and neighbors. In junior high and the early part of high school, I was active in a youth group at a nondenominational Christian church. Two of my best girlfriends attended there as well, as did a number of cute boys. There were pizza parties and sand volleyball games and summer camps, in addition to contemporary services and mentoring by college students. It worked well in attracting large numbers of teens, mostly because is wasn't so darn... well, so darn churchy.
It seems like the idea is catching on for some churches in Alabama and across the U.S. Churches are adding table tennis and pool tables to their fellowship spaces to attract teens to hang out. One youth minister shows up at the local middle school once a week to eat and hang out with group members over burgers and fries. They're trying hard to keep their pulse on the so-called Millenial generation and responding to their needs and preferences. It's an attempt to keep teens engaged in the congregation at a time when many kids start to question their faith or seek a spiritual path different from that of their parents.It's a smart move. Teens may want the opportunity to explore their faith, but it's important to do it in a context that includes their friends and meets them where they are at. If pool tables get kids talking about big moral questions and the impact of faith in their lives, I say rack 'em up. Are you seeing this trend in your area? What are youth groups offering to keep teens coming to church?
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