It seems to me that although synagogues and churches offer Wednesday and Sunday Schools...they still do not incorporate the middle school and high school age kids into the life of their house of warship. Most synagogues (as a Jew more familiar with that) and churches (according to my Christian friends) do not provide to kids programs that would channel their creativity or knowledge. Hence, we have more and more youth that are alienated from worship services and choose not to come to their house of warship. I see it more and more now a days both in the Christian and Jewish world.
So, what are your suggestions on how we can attract more middle and high school representation in our respective houses of warship?
2007-02-14 05:47:30 · 5 answers · asked by MaxNHL 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The problem is that religion can't be something that we do now and then, it has be be how we live. Growing up as a Conservative Jew, our Judaism pretty much stopped once we left the synagogue. And even while there, there was little interest in getting the kids involved.
If parents aren't willing to live their beliefs 24/7, then their kids won't be interested in it either. If the kids are given a reason to be interested, they will demand programming to further themselves.
2007-02-14 05:57:21 · answer #1 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, most churches today have developed themselves into the world of red tape. This means that doing what is "right" has become much more important that doing anything at all.
Also they have decided that a certain type of worship style is more important and "holy" than another style. This is rubbish. Music styles are simply styles.
Time are changing- changing fast. If we don't want to lose the battle, then we need to be willing to change and get used to change. If we refuse t ochange- we will die. This is a fact. The way we think is changing.
I just read a book discussing 20 somethings. It says that the traditional church has rejected them and their ideas- and cling to the "way they do it"- so 20 somethings are leaving the church and starting new churches. So new churches are springing up all over the country to deal with this. I'm a part of one- www.momentumchurch.com
2007-02-14 14:57:17 · answer #2 · answered by DrThorne 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most kids, by late middle school, and certainly by high school, should be making their own choices as to what to worship (or not.)
2007-02-14 13:53:01 · answer #3 · answered by Dawn G 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
let them play PS2 during sunday service
2007-02-14 13:54:59 · answer #4 · answered by UFO 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Brainwash them
2007-02-14 15:26:01 · answer #5 · answered by hanibal48 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋