Sugarcoated, MTV-style Youth Ministry Is So Over. Bible-Based Worship Is Packing Teens In Pews Now.”
- By Sam George
- Published 11/11/2006
Sam George
Sam George is the Executive Director of PARIVAR International - a non-profit initiative to address the needs of youth and families of Asian Indian origin in North America and to the Asian Indian community worldwide. Parivar means family in many Indian languages. Sam George also serves as one of the founding directors of Urban India Ministries
www.UrbanIndia.org Sam George and his wife, Mary have spoken at premarital and family events in many countries. They are parents of two boys and make their home in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Sam is the author of the book “Understanding the Coconut Generation: Ministry to the Americanized Asian Indians." Check out this website www.CoconutGeneration.com Coconut (brown on the outside, white on the inside) is a metaphor for the Americanized Asian Indians. Sam George can be reached at sam@coconutgeneration.com
Few week’s ago Time carried a story on youth ministry - In Touch with Jesus. It said, “Sugarcoated, MTV-style youth ministry is so over. Bible-based worship is packing teens in pews now.”
The young generation are more intense seekers. Many religious institutions still treat them as little kids. An era of game, fun, music, “childcare” for teens approach to youth ministry is dying a natural death. I have never really believed in that in any way, but have seen many youth leaders pouring their heart and soul into it.
They have longed gone beyond music to genuine connection with the Supreme. They are on a pursuit of ultimate truth, nothing else will satisfy them. They are on a lookout for others and to be part of community who believes what they do and what will make a difference in the world.
I strongly recommend Kenda Dean’s book - Practising Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church. This book was one of ten must-reads of church leaders last year. She was my professor at Princeton and I conside her as my mentor. I have quoted her in the Coconut Book and she also gave back cover endorsement.
More later…
