I remember Mr. Sears after church would meet to talk to Dad and always had a stick of Blackjack gum for me. Our congregation was about 600 at that time. My Brother Guy still goes there. Minnehaha United Methodist Church in South Minneapolis.
We had some pretty neat counselors in our sizeable youth group. They were college students and really cool. Our church had a basement and it was equipped with a really big commercial style kitchen that the parents fixed the most AWESOME meals for the MYF group every Sunday afternoon. Both Jr. and Sr. High gathered for the meal, and recreation, like Basketball on our indoor court! I hadn't realized how blessed we were. Our numbers were always high in attendance. That didn't seem to be a concern for anyone to fuss over. Below are several pictures of a winter retreat we all went on in Feb. 1964.
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| Sr. Hi. Discussion group |
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| Every one....lets go to the Retreat! |
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| Rev. and Mrs. Nyberg supporting the Youth |
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| Everybody gets involved |
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| Gary singing something...can't remember that far back! |
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| First Class Entertainment too! |
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| Havin' a Hootenanny! |
What gave us all a sense of belonging, is that we all had a common bond in Jesus. We were not afraid to be ourselves, because the love of Jesus was so thick among us, that we were actually brothers and sisters in Christ. We learned together, ate together, worshiped together, played together. New kids were always welcomed to the group. I can't remember anyone ever not being welcomed. It sounds like a mythical town around Lake Wobegon doesn't it? Where the men are all strong, the women are all good looking and the children are all above average.
What saddens me is the youth numbers are way down these days in most churches. Maybe the Youth groups have a lot of kids, if food is provided, but they don't show up for worship. In the '60's those that were in Youth Group were in Church on Sunday morning as well. Some churches like the one Pat and I attend and are proud members of, has a FANTASTIC youth group. There are young adults all the way down to grade school youth. They take care of each other and remind me so much of MYF of my youth. Pat and I are really proud of the Gibson Wells United Methodist Youth. They are so active. One of the reasons is that the adults support them and their activities. They are there for them with encouragement, assistance and guidance when needed. We attend their programs and everyone has fun.
Point of this story: If your church has an active youth group that attends both Youth meetings AND Worship, you are fortunate and you need to keep doing what you are doing. For those with no youth, you need to be doing something to get them to your church. It is NOT the Pastor's job to attract the kids. It is the CONGREGATION that needs to provide the resources, facilities atmosphere and programing that will allow the youth to WANT to come to the church family. Look at those pictures of yesteryear above. There is something there that attracted us to associate with each other. It was productive as well as foundational in all our growing up. If you are an older adult, please support the youth of your church. Guess what? We adults lead by example. If we don't encourage them positively, keep your mouth shut. If we embarrass them with critical public comments, they will quit coming around. If there is something that you think is not right (perhaps relationships or something) voice your concern to a counselor or adult with the group, to deal with. Public disapproval is a quick way to kill a youth group or any group for that matter. If you are a younger married adult, support the youth of your church. If you are a youth and aren't attending church or youth group....get moving and start attending. It is the best thing going.
Remember, Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling
Blessings,
Gary
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