I got asked this question the other
day – “What do teenagers want in a
church?” It’s a tough question to
answer, because its like asking “What
kind of music do people like?” or
“What food do kids eat?” What people
look for in choosing a church is often
personal taste – location,
denomination, people they know who go
there, where their parents go, music,
youth program, type of building, and
on and on and on…
That is the wrong question. What
teens want in a church doesn’t
compare to what they NEED in a
church. So what do teens need a
church?
1. A place with Jesus – This is the #1
thing that teens need in a church. If
they are not meeting Jesus, then it’s
a waste of time. Making them more
moral, knowing the Bible, or being nice
people are pointless without Jesus.
Don’t just teach them Jesus, help
them know Jesus.
2. A place with adults who care –
Teens need adults who can invest and
poor their lives into them. They need
adults who can mentor and guide them
on the right path. They are told by so
many adults that they’re not worth
the time or effort, they need adults
who genuinely care.
3. A place to belong – Teens yearn for
belonging. They will often do stupid
and damaging things to belong. How
about if they were given a place to
belong before they even came through
the door? Our church or youth group
should be a place where any student
can be “home.”
4. A place to serve – It has always
amazed me the bad rap that teens get
for being lazy and selfish. I’ve been
on too many mission trips, work
camps, and service projects to see
the zest and joy that teens approach
serving. It’s a rare thing to see in
adults, but teens love to serve and
they need to be provided opportunities
lest they end up being lazy and selfish
adults.
5. A place to encourage (and be
encouraged) – Teen culture is one of
tearing down and destruction. Our
church and youth group culture
should be one of building up and
encouraging.
6. A place to grow – You are teaching
your students, but are they growing?
If not, you need to look at why not.
Students should know that when they
come to youth group or church they
will leave just a little bit better, a
little bit changed.
So be looking for ways to provide what
teens need, not necessarily what they
want. Giving them what they want
might seem like the quickest way to
get them in the door of your church,
but giving them what they need is the
best way to get them in the door of
heaven.