Jesus for real men!

Youthwork is difficult sometimes. On Sunday morning, we (Crossword youth group) were planning the next ‘Third Day’, our alternative modern worship service for March. We were looking into various Bible verses regarding peace, anxiety, worry and patience. I was with a few younger boys and tried to help them look at them and understand them.
Boys, being boys, tend to carry on/get distracted easily. We had food on offer, so every 5 seconds one was up to get something to eat. If it wasn’t that, they were nudging each other or irritating each other. I’m in the middle of them trying to encourage them to take turns reading the verses, or trying to work out how that applies to life. But, lo and behold – it just wasn’t happening.

It’s just difficult sometimes dealing with it. I’m here on one side of the line, passionate about the bible and God, and there’s these kids, the future of the church, the people who will be in the congregation of Churches I may lead and they’re just a bit apathetic towards it.

Part of me wants to shove it in their face and scream how important this book is, and yet I know I can’t make them believe, or read it. There has to be a balance somewhat – but as long as they take the right path in the end. I guess I need to trust in God that the work I’m doing is worthwhile. I also need to realise that Jesus didn’t manage to convert everyone, or encourage everyone to follow him; but that’s not a reason to be complacent – things can change. All of us just need to have faith, and pray more about it (something which I know I need to improve upon).

There’s an American Pastor called Mark Driscoll who has a Church (Mars Hill) with an average weekly attendance of around 10,000. He’s passionate about stopping the image of Jesus being some hippy who runs around hugging everyone and cuddling sheep. In his words: “the church has produced "a bunch of nice, soft, tender, chickified church boys. … 60% of Christians are chicks, and the 40% that are dudes are still sort of chicks”. I feel much the same. We have a few young guys at Claremont, but I worry that they’ll abandon Church because the Jesus we teach doesn’t play football, have a drink at the pub, or work as a builder. Instead, they see Jesus as a long haired, sheep carrying, pushover. I feel my ministry needs to continue like this – tell people Jesus was a fighter – not a coward in the corner!

God Bless,
Morrison