Sick of the way the youth group is

ImpactinVA · 09-01-2004, 11:27 PM

alrighty, here's whatz happening. i'm sick of the way the adult leadership in my youth group is handling the yg. things lately have been bugging me about it. Just that, there are sooo many things they do, just for entertainment and to draw more teens to the youth group, but they don't teach us to go out for ourselves, and serve others. like they're the ones serving us instead of teaching us how to serve others.

not just that, but i feel like the girls there are taking advantage of the guys during the hours of the week that we get there. they all show up in seductive outfits and flirt the entire time!! now, there are some that aren't so, and are actually serious about the youth group...

i feel like someone should approah those who are distracting instead of letting them just do whatever and not pay attention to the speaker we got in there. i don't think the success in the youth group should be in numbers, but should be on the Impact that they have on the teens.

as a student leader in my youth group i feel i should bring this up at the next meeting...but im not too sure how it'll be recieved...what do ya'll think i should do?

**bread man** · 09-02-2004, 01:59 AM

I think you should do it. My youth group is pretty ghey at the moment too because of egos and powertrips (plus many issues that I won't touch on because I'd be here forever). You need to tell somone, otherwise you'll just draw futher and further away from the youth.

Maru · 09-02-2004, 08:18 AM

You need to sit down with the Youth Pastor and discuss with him what is in your heart. Give scripture like Matt 8:19 "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

Express to him what is happening. I, myself, am a Youth Leader, and I try to make it where the kids can come to me about anything. I do not promise I can keep whatever they tell me a secret, but many things have been solved by communication.

Singin4Him82 · 09-03-2004, 11:52 AM

I agree with the above. You need to sit down with the youth pastor/leader and tell him how you feel. One thing I've learned myself in working with youth and being in a few youth groups, in order to have things change that you're unhappy with it has to start with you. If you just complain and have a negative view of things not doing anything to change it nothing may ever change. Become a leader in your youth group, take a stand for what you believe is right. I don't care if you're in junior high or a senior in high school you can be a leader no matter how old you are. Pray for the youth group and start acting. Good luck!

Shredcheddar · 09-03-2004, 03:28 PM

Absolutely confront the group about this. Teach them about purity, for one thing, and the meaning of being the body of Christ, what it should look like. It's too bad your situation is the way it is.

Blindman · 09-03-2004, 04:41 PM

Youth groups can very easily become focused, not on discipling young Christians, but about teaching people to play church - to do the right things and talk the right way and attend youth group events and make a show of being a good Christian, when in truth the transformation is only skin-deep. If your church as a whole is truly focused on encouraging people to grow in intimacy with God, then maybe your best bet is to get plugged in to some adult ministries in your church. If the church, as well, is focused more on numbers and on convincing people to try hard to make themselves better people instead of encouraging them to experience the transforming grace of God, then you should look for a different church.

The most practical thing you can do is this: tell your youth group leaders that you want something more, something deeper, and see how they react. If their desire really is to see kids grow as Christians, they'll be excited to hear that and will find some way to help you grow. If they are more interested in being able to show numbers in order to prove their ministry to be "successful," they'll do nothing, and you should look elsewhere.

Just one warning: be sure your motives are pure. If the reason this youth group upsets you is because you consider yourself to be a better servant or better at sharing your faith than most of the members, and you want the leaders to talk about the importance of serving others so that everyone will see that _you_ are a model of a good servant, then you've got issues of your own to deal with before taking on the youth group. If there's even a _hint_ of a holier-than-thou attitude in your heart, believe me that it will be evident to all when you speak to your youth group urging them to be better and more serious Christians - and they'll see that your reason for speaking is a desire to make yourself look good. But if your only desire is to see these kids grow in faith and discover the reality and power of God, that too will be evident to them. So make sure your motives are pure.

ImpactinVA · 09-03-2004, 06:52 PM

hey, thanks ya'll...i brought it up at a meeting i had with a youth leader...she agreed with me (surprise surprise!!

) but she didn't think doing anything about it would work. (which was kinda strange...) she said that it'd be hard to do anything as a whole youth group. so, i said, "then break it down in the small groups."

i don't neccesarily mean the youth group has to do a service project as a whole...i kinda meant it in an everyday basis. like learning and having the knowledge to serve your peers, neighbors, and family with a heart for Christ. i kinda bluntly said, "the youth group for me is becoming more of an entertainment...or a place to go, just to have fun...i don't feel like i'm really growing from it." she kinda just stared at me and then kept quiet...

at the same time, i'm a bit discouraged...but i am glad i told her at least...