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Youth pastor: Parents, not churches, should raise teens

A youth pastor from Illinois says too many parents are giving spiritual custody of their children to the church. That's why his church is changing its schedule and procedures in order to make worship more of a family affair.



Ray Baumann is an associate pastor at First Assembly of God in Belleville, Illinois. Baumann says while part of the "emergent church" movement for years, he looked for ways to draw big crowds while presenting the gospel in an entertaining manner so teens would come and continue coming. But the youth pastor says he realized that the church should not measure the success or failure of programs by man's standards.

Now he warns others about the emergent church movement, claiming that many churches are not presenting the entire gospel to teenagers. Youth ministry has become big business, explains Baumann, because many parents would rather rely on the church to raise their children instead of doing it themselves.

"A lot of people would say, well, I work too many hours; I only see my kids from six p.m. to eight p.m.," he shares, then adds: "You can come up with whatever excuse you want, but it boils down to your obedience to honor God in the way you raise your children."

Baumann says churches can help protect families and foster more time together by not having so many programs that segregate parents and children -- including worship and Bible study. He explains what his church of about 250 members has decided to do toward that end.

"We're having kids, reading-age and up, in the service with mom and dad -- and this is new for us," he acknowledges. "We're definitely going into a new adventure."

But parents must be willing to sacrifice in order to make sure that their children are raised according to biblical standards, he states. "It's neat to see God change some of the hearts of the parents as we discuss this [new approach], as we see the value in this [and] as we have a heart for the next generation," says Baumann.

Hello Pastor Roger,

I see the wisdom in this article, but I couldn't help but chuckle as I was reading it. They aren't trying anything new at all, rather they are going backward in time to something that worked very well.

The backbone of many countries used to be strong, Christian families. BUT, we should all know that the devil changed things, and all Christians should realize they are at least partially responsible. We can all make various excuses, but excuses is all they are. We all need to change course TOWARD THE LIGHT and pray that GOD helps us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 2:19-22 NASB  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

I didn't think it new either, just new to them perhaps, sort of like getting a new used car.  ;)


Amen!