A deeper problem

My heart aches for the Church, and particuarly for her young people. As Youth workers we can spend a lot of time grumbling about the problem, but many times I think that is because we know what needs to be done but find that no one want to listen. I have come across a couple of blogs today that reflect this realization that the problem with youth ministry is a deeper problem.

http://levesons.blogspot.com/2006/07/youth-ministry-is-church-problem-ive.html

Problem with youth discipleship? Usually means lack of intentional or thought out spiritual formation with adults.
Problem getting youth to integrate to "adult church"? Usually something more than just a problem with the youth!
Problem getting volunteers? Often about sense of ownership and vision in wider church.

And http://colourfuldreamer.blogspot.com/2006/07/why-is-there-lack-of-anglicans-wanting.html

"When leaders in churches began to see teenager's growing disinterest with the church they responded like a good mechanic: isolate and fix...but the Christian community is not a machine. In fact the "solution" of isolation created a much worse problem. Because teenagers are an integral part of the body of Christ, perhaps we would be better off to approach this problem less as a mechanic would and more as a physician would" (Family Based Youth Ministry, p43).

Thanks to Pete for the quote.