Do churches have an obligation to do more to reach youth?
The leadership role of black churches before the movement and during the movement was simple; they took care of us. Through my research I found that before segregation and the civil rights movement, Black churches had so much power and respect from the black community and, I think, from people in general. For example: when people wanted advice they did not look to talk show but the church.
Throughout history, the black church served as a place of worship and also a community “bulletin,” a “credit union,” a “people’s court,” “counselor” and a place for political activism. This showed the importance of the ministers and men in the church.
While my generation today looks up to entertainers and athletes, I believe the kids in the past looked up to the pastor and the men in the churches; men that would mentor them and offer moral support and while providing morale. In no way am I saying these men do not exist in today churches. But time has change and so, in my humble opinion, the church must change also.
Today’s youth are given the choice to attend church. So the great sermon that would change someone life will not be heard. I am a child of GOD and I know without my school (a Christian Academy) and my church giving me a spiritual understanding of what our purpose is, I might be one of those teens looking up to the women on the Bad Girls Club.
If the church were to open its doors and then go out to the streets and talk to teens and invite them in sagging pants and all, youth violence would decrease. Youth would have more pride in our appearance and would feel ashamed if we wore sagging pants. My point is we are more than a hairstyle or what fad is out. Kids ask me what does my church do for me I tell them. They made me feel safe and it is a place to go when I need spiritual advice.
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article courtesy of GlobalGrind.com
