But then on Monday, I can't even find my Bible?!
From time to time, I receive emails from youths. Usually, they are trying to solve some problem in their life and they look for me for advice. Some problems they faced are addiction to card games, computer games, even BGR problems! Sometimes, they tell me they want to join the worship team but cannot play a singgle instrument and what should they do etc etc. Occasionally, they ask me for advice on BGR. (HUH???)
Anyway, the most recent email I received was from a youth who has not been coming regulary to church. But he assures me that will change. He wrote:
"I'm really sick of going to other churches and see them so joyful when coming to church and my home church is not like that."
Well, this youth had been church hopping for 2 months, hence his irregular attendance. But now he says he is coming back and wants to see a revival in our church, just like what he sees in other churches.
The following is my reply with some additional stuff:
When you've been in a church for too long, and you go to another church, you may see them excited and all. But in reality you never know what goes on behind the scenes. They may seem excited and all, but in reality, I am sure they all live broken lives as well.
In the same measure, if someone visits our church, they may think the same thing... that we are a very "happening" youth ministry. There was once a youth who left our church, went to an Assembly of God church, then one day she decided to come back to PMC to visit. And guess what she told the youth leaders then? That our Youth Ministry was more alive than hers.
Let me give an abstract example, supposed you meet a new friend. And this new friend may seem to be very chirpy, extrovert and fun to talk to. But this is only at first glance. Now, supposed you have more time to interact with this friend, suppose you spend a few years to get to know him, do you think this friend will always appear so chirpy, extrovert and fun? No right? Eventually, some of his hidden problems will surface, some of his "bad side" will appear.
One of my fellow leaders in the VCF gave a very good example during a meeting on Thursday night. Forming deep and authentic relationships with another person is like peeling an onion. At first you have something that looks nice, juicy and delicious. But as you peel off the layers one by one, you begin to cry (literally) and what you get at the at the end isn't as nice as when you first began.
Why didn't you see him display all these problems when you first met him? It's because you did not have a relationship with him back then, but over time you developed one.
It's the same with a church. If you do not wish to establish a long-term relationship with a church, but instead always hop around every other week to some other church, you are never going to have a relationship with it. There is nothing wrong with visiting churches, as long as you don't forget where you are from.
On the other hand, if you are CALLED to leave the church for some reason, like getting married, or you feel that there is a new mission field somewhere etc... then by all means leave the church.. BUT make sure you "settle-down" with that church. And develop a realationship with it, and with it's people.
Now, let me tell you about the churches you have visited. As you can tell, I have friends in most of the churches you visited, I even meet some of their youth pastors on a regular basis. And let me tell you this, they have established long term relationships with their churches, and they tell me things about their youth. Their youth are (in the long run) absolutely no different from the church we are from. They cut themselves, smoke, drink, have terrible disciplinary records in school, shout at their parents etc etc
Do you think God is pleased with their jumping around, raising hands, speaking in tongues on a Sunday when what they do outside church bears a bad testimony to the Gospel?
So, back to the hypothtical friend above, if you are REALLY his good friend, you will help him right? Just like the way you say you want to revive this church. Let me say this, many of us now know one important thing. The ONLY way to revive the youth ministry is no longer to start looking at the people inside the church, but to look outside the church.
The Youth Leaders are honestly not very concerned about what we see on a Sunday. If the youth in our YM do not want to sing, we are not really very worried. If they do not jump around, lift their hands etc, we do not think that is a problem.
What we think is a problem is when they go back home, and we get complains from their parents that they are rebellious, skip school, go out drinking, smoke and use vulgarities at them. (Yes, these are some of the things we hear from parents).
What is the use of jumping around, running around, lifting hands, speaking in tongues and claiming to be some Holy Moley on a Sunday, when from Monday to Saturday you live a life completely opposite to that of what the Lord wants of us?
True revival does not come from within a church. It comes from without, when the multitudes of unbelievers come to know Christ personally. In Acts 2, when 3000 were added to their number, now that is a revival.
Believe
I say on Sunday how much I want revival
But then on Monday, I can’t even find my Bible
Where’s the power, the power of the Cross in my life?
I’m sick of playing the game of religion
I’m tired of losing my reason for living
Where’s the power, the power of the Cross in my life?
I’m not content just to walk through my life
Giving in, to the lies
Walking in compromises now
We cry out as a generation that was lost
But now is found in the power of the Cross
We believe in You,
We believe in the power of Your Word and its truth
We believe in You
So we lay down our cause
That our cross might be found in You
I’m not satisfied, doing it my own way
I’m not satisfied, to “Do Church” and walk away
I’m not satisfied, there’s no love in my life but You
I’m not satisfied living in yesterday’s hour
I’m not satisfied to have the form but not the power
I’m not satisfied
Oh Lord I am crucified in You
We believe in You,
We believe in the power of Your Word and its truth
We believe in You
So we lay down our cause
That our cross might be found in You
(C) Words and Music by Donna Lasit
