Youth Group Issues

I've written a few posts of my criticism on the youth group model the church so religiously follows. Count this one #3. I'm going to put it right out there. The more I see the more I disagree. I would go so far as to deny that any real good comes from the model at all. I know that this is a strong statement but let me defend my position.

First of all I really doubt that the majority of kids who go to youth group go for the primary reason to learn about God. Yes they learn about God but I would argue that this is primarily a secondary consequence. It should be the primary interest of those who lead of course, I am not disputing the intent or purpose of the well intended leaders. I am merely touching upon the psychology of the individual teen him or herself. I might even go to the limit here by saying that the teen may have intention about learning the things of God. He does - but only as a secondary consequence. Though his intentions are good what actually happens is that his intention is distracted. The distraction keeps him from his primary intention. Or at least he makes himself believe there is really no distraction and that he is still keeping his primary intention. I used to say something like this myself when I was in youth group. But there were ulterior motives for my wanting to be at youth group that were not purely spiritual. Those who would deny this are simply not being honest with themselves. Try separating the sexes and putting their meeting times on different nights and see how long "youth group" stays viable. That is my challenge to you youth group advocates! Do not mix the sexes and perhaps real discussion and study could be realized. There are men's and women's adult groups that meet separately. Yet with the youth and young adults (singles), someone has simply ignored the dynamics that exist when both boy and girl are stuck together in the same show. Yeah, everyone is "just friends"! Only a simpleton and a total ignoramus would say a statement like that in genuine seriousness. More time than any other boys are seeking to understand what being a man is supposed to look like; they get this best from mature Christian men. Girls, likewise, are desirous of understanding what being a woman is all about. They will not get this information by asking a peer who is in the same exact boat. The traditional youth group model fails miserably. If the boy wants to know, he is divided in that desire; for the distraction is all around him. If a girl wants to know, she too is divided in that desire; for the distraction is all around her. Christian parents who send their youth to the local youth group because they think that it is good for them to "be able to relate with their peers" have a serious misunderstanding about this position. They have not paid very close attention to this argument as it relates to the impressionable and vulnerable age in which I speak. Teens have very little problem relating to other teens, the fashion trends and what is "in". These are all things teens know very well; they do not have to think about them, their culture dictates these things for them. They pick up on the language, dress, and cultural forms necessary to survive in the circumstances they are thrust into - sometimes by well meaning, but ignorant parents. But for survival sake, teens adapt to fit in. This is diametrically opposed to those who understand the Gospel of Christ and what He asks of us. If we are taught to adapt and "blend in", then how can we stand up and out for Christ when the question is put to us? Do we dare be different? Do we dare take the Scriptures seriously when everyone else is in opposition? In a world in which we live in I propose something pretty extreme: that we blow up the youth group model and be what we are supposed to be, for our children's sake, by being Christ to them; modeling for them what it means to be identified with Christ. Paul said this in so many words when he said look to me as I look to Christ. When 6th graders are looking for spots to "make out" in secret at a Christian "retreat", when no one is looking, there is something seriously disconnected going on in our heads, as adults, that we cannot see what is so obvious! There is a serious distraction that ought be remedied and remedied fast before we loose our youth for good.

-Joe