generations

there has been something in the back of my mind for a while now:
the idea that fellowship has become somewhat an idol and change
is needed. as a core member and a small group leader, i've noticed
a trend that i'm not necessarily excited about- too much time spent
planning big events and too little time spent teaching the bible.
don't get me wrong. i enjoy the game nights, appreciation nights,
and all those other events- they're great for building our fellowship!
but when we hold only one bible study a month where our attendance
is rarely even half that of any other event, (not to mention our lack of
leader attendance at the pre-studies), something seems a bit wrong.
when i asked a brother what he would think about having a bible study
every week, he told me that it would be boring...why is that? since
when did Christians have the mentality that the word of God was
boring? oh, you're right. it's because we're young, right? [(sarcasm)
"i mean, think of the middle schoolers, john! they're going to leave
if we don't have all these events. (more sarcasm) john, you're a leader!
therefore, you have to show them by example through planning things
like adopt-a-child, parent appreciation night, and so much more!
(sarcasm sarcasm) how else would our fellowship be run? listen,
the younger kids just aren't spiritually mature enough, okay?"(end)]
back to my point, we spend so much time thinking about how to
make church "fun" that our fellowship slowly merges into just
another social gathering. it's a scary thought- that even now, our church
may be hindering younger believers who are eager to study the bible,
because there is not a consistent sense of discipleship or accountability
week after week on friday nights. to add to that, don't you think those
whom we older kids assume to be spiritually immature need constant
biblical teaching even more? and i say this for the leaders too. a
recurring theme has shown up in all of us: stress from planning.
or maybe it was just me, because you all look at me as if you're sorry
for something? seriously though, none of this planning is needed!
honestly, leaders, can you imagine, instead of planning for events,
planning lessons every week? am i the only one that would find that
to be so incredibly awesome? or fun even? or joyous? and i don't mean
to judge any of you, but if you're not passionate about teaching the
bible, then maybe you should not have chosen to be a small group leader.
i'm not saying that any of you fit that description, but that is the message
you're sending when you don't show up to bible studies to me and more
importantly, to your small groups. love, i say this out of love, understand?
looking back at all my years spent at church, i would trade all those
game nights for bible studies in a flash. i keep thinking that if i was taught
the true complete wonderfully beautiful gospel of the glory of Jesus Christ
while i was still in middle school, my faith would have matured so much
more than it has in the past three years. but, i can't complain- God has
His perfect timing. the point is, to my younger brothers and sisters,
i want you to be unified, yes, but more than that- that you would be firm
in your faith, bearing good fruit, and that you would be deeply in love
with our Lord and Savior. to my older brothers and sisters, thank you
for helping me, for dealing with me with patience, and for loving me.
to some of you whom i have told that i won't be around as much
next year, that might no longer be true. we'll see what our Father has
planned for me. yes...we'll see. (awkward laugh) 0_0