bits from bob....

Youth and the Church

by Robert J. Young
©, 2001, Robert J. Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]

[Note: This article was originally written in 1990. Even though the statistics in this article have undoubtedly changed with time, the principles continue to merit our awareness and examination.]

Young people who are involved in church have significantly lower drug and alcohol use than those not so involved according to a study conducted at ACU. More than 2800 teens across the nation were studied and a 61% abstinence rate was reported. The national average is much lower with only about 39% of teenagers abstaining from alcohol. The study says that churches help our youth when they...

• 1. Emphasize grace, forgiveness and support for daily Christian living.
• 2. Promote involvement of the entire family at church.
• 3. Encourage regular attendance and high involvement in youth activities.
• 4. Strengthen the marriages in the congregation.
• 5. Teach families how to communicate and solve conflicts that arise.
• 6. Help young people with transitions such as changing schools.

Gary Jones has researched the impact of religious involvement on chemical abuse, sexual activity, grief recovery, divorce, and coping with serious illness. The key to help from religion in all of these problems is involvement. Mere church affiliation and occasional attendance do not help people overcome serious problems whether teens or adults.

This information presents a powerful lesson to be taken to heart by each family in the church. The application, however, is not limited to youth. We can learn what the church must be actively pursuing, we can learn the importance of involvement for every Christian, including adults.