Be The Fruit

Do you want to reach youth? Play Tag!

by Bill Blair on 31/03/09 at 5:13 am

The other night I was sitting on the porch of coffee shop just after my daughter and several other kids finished a student Bible study inside. I think all of the kids were in the middle school range (6 -8th grade +/-). When the study was finished, the kids went out to the parking lot and surrounding area to wait for their ride home. What ensued from there was a good old fashioned game of tag, and the kids had a blast!

Something struck me at that moment. I began to think about all the time and energy that is poured into creating the perfect student ministry to bring kids in to churches, and here these young people were thrilled with tag. Some say we need cool music and to create innovative worship experiences to impact youth. Some even think we need specific buildings designed so kids can hang out and play games and be impacted by the church. But so much of these things just look like entertainment to me. Is that what kids really need to be impacted by God?

As I watched the kids run and play, I was reminded of the “cool gifts” we buy little kids and end up finding out that our children enjoy playing with the box more that the $100 walking talking robot doll that can do about anything except take out the trash. So much of what I see in the church today is focused on trying to deliver that $100 super toy, when what kids really want and need is just the box.

As I watched these young people running, laughing, and having fun, I could see what they truly long for and need, and that is relationships. They don’t need cool buildings, a cool show, cool music, or some kind of cool “experience.” This need for relationship is core to our being because God created us to not be alone (Gen 2:18). Young people are no different and  have this need as well.

Perhaps churches should worry less about entertainment, and concentrate on creating space where young people can interact with one another.  A little less action and a lot more conversation you might say.  Or maybe churches should abandon the cool music and lights and just play a game of tag.

Just thinking. 

What say you? In other words, “Tag, you’re it!”