Youth Sundays: Theology pt 1

A Theology of Youth Worship Services (“Youth Sundays”)

Worship is not for the leaders or the people, but to honor and adore God. This must always be foremost in our minds when we are preparing and leading in a worship service. Too many youth services are skewed in their character. This is usually a result of a tradition that was built up over time where a creative idea became cast is stone. The attitude of the congregation can also influence the service negatively.

All that I am suggesting to do may seem overly complex and detailed, but if you do a worship service, not only is it theologically important to do it well, but afterward the youth will feel really good about themselves, the congregation will be impressed (and more likely to support youth ministry). It is worth the effort and struggle.

• First some negative attitudes to avoid:
  • Many congregations have an “aren't they cute” and “I remember when they were in Kindergarten” view of these services. This means they do not expect to get anything of value from the service. Some youth will try to accommodate the congregational expectation by being cute. There may even be slides or reminiscences of the youth when they were children.
  • “Oh its amateur hour.” They are expected to be sloppy and childish and will not present anything of value (many people stay away on Youth Sunday). The youth may accommodate this attitude by being sloppy.
  • Academy Award acceptance speeches in place of a sermon. “I want to thank all the little people who made me who I am.” A sermon that is merely reminiscences and expressions of appreciation is not a sermon.
  • Youth reading scripts written for them by adult ghost writers.
• Now the positive:
  • Youth, even down to Middle School, can (and I've experienced this) write and produce outstanding worship services with serious messages. They just need to be given a chance (details on how to give them that chance will come later).
  • They need to view the service as an opportunity to preach to the congregation and to lead the congregation in worship.
  • They have a message from God to the congregation. They just need to figure out what that message is and how to convey it convincingly.
  • They need to know that they are competent and viewed as such by their leaders and their congregation.