Thursday, August 16, 2007

WHAT ARE WE THINKING

George Barna has reported a study that found Christian parents were not struggling with Spiritual things in raising their kids. They struggle with imparting morality, responsibility, honesty, and work ethic, but not so much spiritual things. Is it any wonder that some studies point that as many as 70% of those who are part of a Church as a teen drop out in their 20's --never to return.
About the only time parents visit the pastor or youth pastor about their kids is when they have gotten in trouble. Then the attitude is often: "You fix them, it's your job." (Unspoken is that it is the Church's fault.)
Why are we not more serious about instilling spiritual things in our kids? It is hard to teach what we either do not have or will not cultivate. If I want my kids to value Christ and His Church, I must value Christ and His Church. If I want my kids to see this in my life, I must model it for them. Going to Church once a month does not teach the importance of Church. Church on Sunday after being worldly on Saturday will not build strong Christian kids. As a matter of fact it only adds to their conclusion that its all a joke that should be forgotten.
I happen to live in a "dry county." That means no alcohol sales. Our county also has a fairly high teen drinking problem. Their number one source of alcohol? Parents ice chest, liquor cabinet, refrigerator.
Now for the good news. Some parents get it. There are some young families in our church that get it. They understand that the most important thing to pass on to their kids is a vibrant faith in Christ. They are struggling with how to do it, but struggling is often a good thing. There are some who are making lifestyle changes, career changes, financial decisions based on how it all fits in the Christian life. That excites me. It also challenges me as a parent. The other good news is that some youth get it, too. I see some youth who are taking a stand because of their faith. Some that are changing goals, college plans, college majors because of their faith (and sometimes their parents do not get it).
The Christian life is 24/7. It affects everything we are and do. Paul told the Christians at Corinth that they were "living letters" open and read by everyone that show the power of the Gospel of Grace. When we make it anything less - "What are we thinking?" The first generation that moved into the promised land made some compromises that doomed their kids. What were they thinking. In the next year we will hear 1,000 times about the national debt or the health care crisis or the global warming danger that we are passing on to the next generation, but that pales in comparison to the spiritual legacy we are leaving.