Today I was thinking about some of the best times I had as student pastor. I spent about 12 years of ministry serving in different positions of student ministry leadership. One of the things that sticks out to me most is the times of worship we would have with our students.
There were not many better times than standing in a crowd of students worshiping with their hearts abandoned in awe of Christ. We saw teenagers raise their hands for the first time, cry tears celebrating their forgiveness and shout, jump and dance at the joys of what Jesus had done in their lives.
The church could learn something from worshiping teenagers. Church listen to me; your teenagers are experiencing Christ in ways you WANT to, but are too afraid to show.
If the students want to get a little undignified in your worship service, let them.
If they want to rush the stage and worship at full volume, let them.
If they sing louder than everyone else in the room, let them.
If they want to jump like it’s a Blink-182 concert, let them.
If they are expressing worship through a talent, gift and ability of playing an instrument or singing and are doing it well, let them play.
They ARE as much part of the church as you are. They are NOT the next generation of the church! They ARE the church, just like you. Get over the awkwardness of weird hair, the funky smells, the piercings and tattoos, the jumping, the clapping, the dancing, the oh-so forbidden hand raising and LEARN something from the teenagers that worship along side you!
They might just show you how to fall in love with Jesus all over again
Well said Bobby! Keep bringing it!