Why Youth Go to Church?

Is your Church X-Rated?

Children and the Future of the Church

It’s All About Relationships

Building an Effective Children’s Ministry

Today, we understand that, regardless of the ministry model and the resources supporting it, the real basis of effectiveness in ministry is the quality of relationships that are formed…relationships between those serving, between those serving and those served, and most importantly, between those in ministry and God. Thankfully, among the many gifts that Jesus has bestowed on us is His model of Christian love and commitment to living “in relationship” with others.

George Barna from The Barna Group informs us of the importance of these relationships in the lives of young people and the need for the church to prioritize this. "Still, the maturation years are ripe with spiritual possibilities," the president of The Barna Group concluded. "Helping them connect with God, learn about their faith, and serve others, in a loving and relational environment are their top desires from a church. Keep in mind that young people are not spiritually transformed merely by attending a church, knowing a few Bible stories or being friends with the youth pastor. It takes addressing teens on a much deeper, personal level - such as developing their intellect and vocational passions as well as cultivating their curiosity for the complexities of life."
A study co-sponsored by the YMCA and Dartmouth Medical School with support from 33 other professional organizations tells us we are in a time of crisis. This study entitled “Hardwired to Connect” try to explain it this way. “We are witnessing high and rising rates of depression, anxiety, attention deficit, conduct disorders, thoughts of suicide, and other serious mental, emotional, and behavioral problems among U.S. children and adolescents.”

It goes on to point out that most of this is caused by relationship problems. “In Large Measure, what’s causing this crisis of American childhood is a lack of connectedness. We mean two kinds of connectedness — close connections to other people, and deep connections to moral and spiritual meaning.”

The conclusion of the study is that we are designed (created) to be in relationship with each other and with a supreme being. The lack of these relationships bring crisis to our lives. In the study, it calls this being hardwired. “We are hardwired for other people and for moral meaning and openness to the transcendent. Meeting these basic needs for connection is essential to health and to human flourishing.”

In essence, this study and the research from The Barna Group point us to the foundation of the Great Commandment: We are to be in a loving relationship with the triune God and with those around us. This is what brings a healthy, abundant life.

Our work at The LOGOS Ministry is to help churches provide the opportunities for that life. We are concerned about helping churches make healthy connections with young people and stop not only the loss but also the severe at risk behaviors mentioned above.

Please help us build connections now- Donate to LOGOS

Click here to download the Stop the loss mail-in card

Home