This year, I have been interviewing folks and reading about what makes a vibrant youth ministry.
One of the author's I have recently read is Jean Vanier, who writes movingly about community. He founded a community called L'Arche, which is French for "The Ark." In L'Arche communities, people with developmental disabilities live together with those who do not. It is one of the most beautiful flowerings of Christian life in our day. I invite you to pause for moment and reflect about our community, especially our youth. What is your hope for how our church can support youth? What kinds of people do you hope our young people will be supported too become?
Jean has a compelling vision for equipping young people to be "artisans of peace."
I doubt whether the leaders in society and in the churches today are
sufficiently aware of the changing face of the young, and a world which
is crying out from its anguish and loneliness for a sense of belonging.
Young people need help in order to integrate the vision [of
belonging] into their own hearts and minds and to develop their own
inner freedom and choices, learning little by little be led inwardly by
love, rather than from the outside by rigid laws . They must be led to
true community where they can become men and women of prayer and
compassion, open to others and t he world, particularly to the poor, the
oppressed, the lost, and the vulnerable, and thus become artisans of
peace.
-- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth
We at Takoma Park Presbyterian Church can profoundly bless the lives of the children and youth in our midst. What young people need most is not programs, but living examples of hope, faith and love--that is, regular struggling people like you and me.
Baptism begins an amazing journey, and as a congregation, we promise to help a child and her or his parents. So how do we make that support real? In this very moment, you may open your heart in prayer for our church, children and youth.
And here are six steps you can take:
A church which has a thriving children’s and youth ministry is a thriving church. We will find God inspiration and revitalization as we seek to love and serve.
If you feel moved to serve our children and youth, please speak with me on Sundays or during the week at 301-270-5550.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Mark Greiner
Takoma Park Presbyterian Church
Webmaster : Brian C. Monsell