I hear from many church
leaders this cliché saying: “We’ll do whatever it takes to reach
younger people.” BUT when push comes to shove do church leaders really mean that? In all sadness, the answer is typically "no".
In order to have services that are geared at reaching younger people it means you MUST do the following: play music that connects and speaks to them; be authentic and genuine and not "churchy"; give young people areas where they can serve; listen to them and ask for their advice, and invest your best leaders and resources into your children and teenagers.
This is a steep price to pay when it comes to being the church, but it's well worth it. As a youth pastor for nine years I know the power and impact young people can have on a local church and the world. My prayer is that Legacy Church will always be known as a place where children, teenagers, and families can come and grow in Jesus. My promise is that I will fight for the children, teenagers, and families in the Kendallville, IN area and beyond.
In order to model this value of Legacy Church we handed the Sunday Service over to our children and teenagers.
It was a landmark Sunday for Legacy Church. Here's why:
- We dedicated and helped resource 6 children and 4 families. It's powerful when families commit to raising their children in a way that pleases Jesus and when a local church partners with them!
- We played games, sang children's song, and had fun as a church family!
- I noticed parents smiling as they were proud of their children for leading the church in worship or through testimonies.
- When the children are in the services it adds energy and looseness to the service. It helps adults to relax and gives us a picture of child-like faith. There was a "be who you are" type of atmosphere that oozed Legacy Church's DNA and which was modeled by our youth. I noticed many adults who were very Stoic early on in our service, but who were singing their hearts out at the end of the service!
- We got to pray over our young people that they would be lights for Jesus in their local schools!
- We got to hear and honor Logan and Jessica Conley for all the work they are putting into Legacy Church's young people. We are so glad that God placed them at Legacy Church!
- We had a teenage guy show up at the YMCA to play some basketball while church was going on and stayed through our services! When you are intentional about reaching young people God brings young people to you!
There are certain services that I will never forget as a church planter/pastor because God showed up in extraordinary ways. This was one of those services! Big things are in store for Legacy Church!
It was a blessing seeing all of our children and youth line up in front of our congregation
so we could pray for them!
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