Four Things the Pandemic Has Taught Me About Christian Young People
As I have continued to reflect over the past year of life in youth ministry while dealing with a pandemic, I have concluded: the Church is an incredible place because of young people. Here are just several things on my heart as of the past couple of weeks:
1. The desire to grow spiritually has not gone away in our young people. I have had numerous occasions where some of my own group, and I am sure in other groups where teens were quarantined but texted and called to make sure zoom or FaceTime would happen for them.
2. A lot of our young people have become the spiritual leaders of their families. It has amazed me how many young people I have seen push the parents and friends to be involved in Bible study, worship, and things that promote their faith. (Us adults could take a lesson in what we are prioritizing to our young people!)
3. Many of the young people I have been around from all different places seem to be more concerned with Jesus and His place in our world versus which political party should be first. I sure do thank God daily for this one.
4. They want to be together and will do whatever necessary to make that happen, whether it's wearing an uncomfortable mask, social distancing, or whatever is needed because they see the importance of being with their brothers and sisters in Jesus!
Matthew 18:3 comes to my mind often when talking about youth ministry. Jesus made it very clear that unless we become like children, we will not enter the Kingdom. This pandemic has taught me that our young people possibly have a greater grasp of what Jesus wants for our lives than maybe some of the adults who teach and lead us each week. The young people I have had the privilege of being around have shown a greater trust in Jesus than myself and many others. In many ways, they have been more motivated for Biblical knowledge than many adults who instilled in them the importance of Biblical growth. There is joy in my heart because of the faith of our young people. They often get a bad wrap, but I write this article to motivate and inform any young person reading this to press on! You are not in this by yourself, and many other young people are standing for the Kingdom alongside you even if you do not see it personally! I also write this article to our older brothers and sisters in Jesus to let you know that the Church is doing great! There is much to be joyful about, and your younger brothers and sisters in Jesus should be at the top of your list! I write all this not to guilt people but to show you the joy I have in being around young people in the Church. I pray their example challenges you to be better as it has me!
Will