5 ways to keep the youth out of our Church

[bonnie]

Quote:

Atta girl, Bonnie!!!!!!!!!!!

Always two sides in a coin.

Many are hurt by "well meaning" or those just plain mean within the church.

Reading this topic leaves one with the idea that it is only the educated,the youth,or those that want their own way when they want it that are "run" out of the church.

JOseph had more reason than any of us to turn his back on his spiritual beliefs. Daniel had a reason or two.

Samson was a interesting story. Going against his upbringing

and doing his own way he put himself in a bit of a bind. Unlike Joseph and Daniel.

Give the children all they want,never use the word wrong to him,let him know his behavior is not important,it is the fault of those "legalists". Let him fill his mind with anything. Never let him accept the full responsibility for his actions. It is someone else's fault.

Prepare them for the reality that if they pursue an education they will not be welcome in the church.

Point out "how to drive out a scientist" or anyone with higher education.

Make sure whether it is a child or adult they know the ultimate responsibility is of others,not themselves.

We are all responsible for our own behavior.

Whether that is being responsible for someone feeling unwelcome or getting in a snit because you "have a higher education" and feel that you are not being listened to.

[phkrause]

"Many are hurt by "well meaning" or those just plain mean within the church"

I definitely agree with that statement Bonnie.

pk

[bonnie]

Quote:

The SDA church is anathema to our only child/son today for none of all the above reasons.

He felt no love in the church. We sent him to our church schools believing he would be

loved and nurtured. Nothing could have been farther from the truth.

That is sometimes the case.

Quote:

The harassment and

treatment as a pariah started when the school teacher recommended that he be advanced to

4th grade after finishing his first. We insisted that was too big of jump and so he went

to third grade. He was bullied, but we taught him never to fight back. In retrospect

that might have been a mistake.

Not sure we were right or if it just worked out for us for some reason but at times we did teach ours to fight back. My niece (living with us) was harrassed constantly by the grandson of the pastor.We did all the "right things" working with the parents and the teachers. Finally when it became more sexual in nature we again went to teachers and school board. We were going to pull her out when she took care of it herself. She cold cocked him with a heavy metal lunch pail.

She added a little of her own and said "Now I forgive you" End of problem

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I knew he was not popular but I never picked up

how much turmoil he was having inside. Only years later did he tell us he even contemplated

suicide, and that what kept his sanity was the love he felt at home. He was made to feel

there was something wrong with him.

Hopefully there is more awareness among the staff now.

Quote:

To make matters worse, he felt his fellow students

were disrespectful and looking down on other religions because "we have the truth." And

perhaps one of Stan's points might apply, his Bible teacher discouraged disturbing

questions. I have always taught him never to be afraid of asking questions but to always

do it in a respectful manner.

My boys ran into the same the few years they were in public school.

It doesn't help a teen to know he is not the only one that is treated like that.

Maybe with my brother's children there were so many of mine after my niece took care of the pastor's grandson they didn't have much problem.

But there are as you say two sides to every story and liberal's,educated and youth are not singled out only by conservatives or as referred to here many times,legalists.

This is what you see here,the righteous liberal's and the unrighteous conservative

[bonnie]

Just an added note. My younger brother left the church many years ago. If there is a reason to leave he had it.

But at the end of the day it is his decision. We all have to meet our maker. How God views that I don't know. I know it will be right.

[Woody]

Quote:

This is what you see here,the righteous liberal's and the unrighteous conservative

Good Statement.

I think God hates seeing legalists that feel they can somehow be saved by their own merits. What a slap in the face to what Jesus did on the cross. Now that is VERY UNrighteous.

[bonnie]

Quote:

This is what you see here,the righteous liberal's and the unrighteous conservative

Good Statement.

I think God hates seeing legalists that feel they can somehow be saved by their own merits. What a slap in the face to what Jesus did on the cross. Now that is VERY UNrighteous.

To quote my dad,These are the people not to be influenced by "Legalists that believe they will slide into heaven on their vegeburger and the liberal that knows no matter how hard he works at it,he cannot lose his salvation".

[scripturewisdom]

why are conservatives being equated with legalists? they are far from the same in my opinion. i don't think that the generalization of two groups opposing each other is constructive thinking or debate anyway. i thought the original question was "how we can keep the youth in the church". most of these replies seem to be saying that the "hateful, legalistic conservatives run them off". there is hatefulness and bitterness on all sides. i think this is where the church is most lacking and should teach more about how bitterness destroys and "will" actually keep you from salvation. Please read Heb. 12:12-15.

i think the basics of Seventh Day Adventist beliefs and worship practiced by our founders are the best i've ever heard of.

i don't see any reason to change that. what i see that needs to be changed is the hearts of the congregation. that's each and every one of us.

i heard a wonderful sermon from Ken Cox last sabbath that i wish could be heard over and over by all SDAs and all people period. he was simply saying, "pray that the Holy Spirit will enter your heart and change you to a person who is gentle and kind". he said to pray for this without ceasing and then open God's Word and read and "you will be changed".

if our youth were lead by example by adults who are truly kind and gentle, i think they would be filling the church because that is what people want and need. you do not stoop to a child's or the world's level to keep them or draw them in. you provide an example of Christ, which is what the word "Christian" means.

blessings to all

[Guest]

Amen

[Gerr]

Yeah, a lot of people consider keeping the 4th commandment legalism. But strangely enough, obeying the other 9 is not!!!

[olger]

The GYC is bringing youth into the church and equipping them for consecrated leadership.

Louisville 2009,

oG

[BobRyan]

GYC is one of the best kept secrets we have. I did not find out about it until a couple of years ago. Took my daughters to it and they loved it! What a great program that is!

in Christ,

Bob

[Gerr]

why are conservatives being equated with legalists?

I sense that there is a sick notion that in order to show that one is saved by grace, one has to keep sinning to prove it, that obedience is a sign of legalism.

[Woody]

GYC is one of the best kept secrets we have. I did not find out about it until a couple of years ago. Took my daughters to it and they loved it! What a great program that is!

in Christ,

Bob

I'm starting to feel sick.

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: scripturewisdom

why are conservatives being equated with legalists?

I sense that there is a sick notion that in order to show that one is saved by grace, one has to keep sinning to prove it, that obedience is a sign of legalism.

Obedience is fine. Legalism is bad. Conservatives can't have one without the other.

[olger]

Congratulations, for the inaccurate POST-OF-THE-YEAR !!!!!!

the ger

[Woody]

Thank you ger. I do try to win your approval.

[olger]

Awww shucks.

[Gerr]

Originally Posted By: Gerry Cabalo

I sense that there is a sick notion that in order to show that one is saved by grace' date=' one has to keep sinning to prove it, that obedience is a sign of legalism.

[/quote']

Obedience is fine. Legalism is bad. Conservatives can't have one without the other.

Conservatives can't have obedience without legalism? Therefore, obedience = legalism?

Another BIG BALONEY SANDWICH from you, Red?

[Woody]

Ha Ha. Very funny Gerry.

[Woody]

Odedience Good. Legalism Bad.

[Gerr]

Odedience Good. Legalism Bad.

But how can/could obedience be good and legalism bad, if, as you said, conservatives can't have obedience without legalism?

[Woody]

I think you have hit on a good point. Conservatives just don't make no sense. (At least ... I've never met one who did ... except for myself. But then ... I've a closet conservative ... I don't like to admit it.)

[Gerr]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Red, your baloney sandwich just got longer and BIGGER.

[Woody]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Red, your baloney sandwich just got longer and BIGGER.

Look ... I don't eat baloney. So your accusation is totally off base. Now if you had said vege baloney ... then I might agree with you. But being the conservative that I am ... I just don't eat any of that baloney of yours.

[Gerr]

I try my very best not to serve baloney, vegie or otherwise.

Your statement that one cannot have obedience without legalism is the one that is way off base. And then compound it by saying you're a conservative, therefore a legalist? You've got me all confused!