Kindle the flame in young people

Continuing from yesterday about children here is part of an interview from the Young Soldier November 1935 with the then British Commissioner, Charles T. Rich.

A journalist had commented to the Commissioner that there was a deep desire among young people for God and in conversation they had agreed that this yearning was like fuel waiting to be struck with a match that will cause the fuel to burst into flame.
In the interview for the Young Soldier the Commissioner was asked, “How do you think we can kindle the desirable flame?” This is the Commissioner’s reply,

“God will kindle the flame, I have said that our young people are thinking their way to God. They are not being driven by fear of what will happen if they do not follow the rules laid down by those who have gone before them. They are not enticed by promises of rewards. They are reasoning young people, looking ahead, counting the cost. I believe that the call of service and sacrifice will be "the match” that will kindle the flame. The service and sacrifice that demand their best, their all and because the young people are thinking, it is inevitable that they will hear the call. And then I think they will answer fearlessly, voluntarily, quietly without urging or waiting for the stirring of emotions. They will have the courage of their convictions.”

Interesting. I was talking to the daughter of one our soldiers who was visiting our corps last Sunday. She works for Rob Parsons who heads up a high profile ministry in the UK called Care for the family. They have just recently published or are about to publish a book called, "How to get your kids through church without them hating God." The thinking behind it is that some kids leave the church because of rebellion against God but many just get disillusioned with church. Many leave not because it is not entertaining enough, or liberal enough but because they are expected to be passive recipients of endless teaching. The cause is not presented as big enough or challenging enough and mission is seen as the preserve of those who know enough or who are old enough.

We, in the Salvation Army know this stuff but we have forgotten it. In our Corps, we are in a situation where the children of our soliders have, in the main already left. It is true that we have a a geographical challenge of young people moving away to further education and for work but when they have moved many have not gone on to link up with other Corps or churches. Somehow they didn't pick up the mission and ministry baton. Maybe that was because the older generation didn't offer it or model it?

We have a great group of people who are passionate about reaching young people and children for the kingdom. This week alone we have had Messy Church, held a youth drop in the the secondary school, had youth cell with a group of unsaved teenagers and tonight we have a kids outreach at the hall. Our whole corps is praying earnestly about the lost generations in our churches. The team that are heading up all these activities are all over 50 except for one and we are believing God will use us to win families and kids for Christ. I am praying that once they are won, we don't quench their passion for the cause of Christ by presenting a soppy discipleship and being over cautious about presenting the challenge of being a disciple as the greatest adventure of all.

God bless

Carol