Students and the Church

Why is it that we are more and more aware of kids and students being less enamored with the church so when they leave high school a large majority of them don't return back into church. Why is this... why are so many people talking about it now.... why hasn't this been addressed in the past?? I have been thinking about these questions the last number of days, putting a personal twist on things with the students that are a part of the student ministry that God has given me to oversee. I think about all the amazing students that are @ SGC and thinking that maybe some of them wont be involved in church in a few years is disheartening... Its at this point that I feel small and insignificant like it will take this huge movement nationwide to get this problem fixed.

Its apparent that there is a disconnect somewhere along the lines... maybe its a selfish thing on their part, maybe they are to consumed with what they want to do, the guilt they feel, the judgement they "perceive" everyone is throwing upon them, the things in their lives they know they shouldn't be involved in but give take part time and time again...

maybe its the people at church who have put a bad taste in their mouths, maybe its the hypocrites that fill the pews every week... aren't we all?? Maybe these young impressionable students cant get over that fact that humans will fail you...

Maybe its the fact that Youth Groups across the country and trying to make "Church" for students this experience that is unlike church on Sunday mornings... maybe fun, games, hangout times, parties, trips and loud music are not good training grounds for real life when that stuff isn't always around. Are we getting students plugged into youth group and not the church...

Such huge questions to not be taken lightly... Hopefully with all the attention given to these statistics we will take better care of the young people who are the next generations of leaders in the church. I think that the church and youth groups need to look at what is going on and take action...

We obviously have not done a good job at pointing people to Jesus... its all about Jesus... it always has been about Jesus and it always will be about Jesus... as Mark Driscoll often says... Shouldn't that be our goal for the kids who grow up in our churches across the country... to point them to Christ... Church leaders (including myself) need to be doing that on a more consistent basis to change some alarming trends in today's society that is all about what pleases "YOU"

Raise up kids/students/people who love God first and foremost... then love people and reach out!

Summer is Here

The Summer schedule is here and is out for everyone to check out... we have tons of stuff going on!! Hello Summer is in less than 2 weeks, Hillsong United in Concert on June 10, Camp is the first week of July... Cedar point at the end of July... Paintball and pool parties in August!!! The Summer will be done before we know it! Hit me with questions....


pastorkent@sugargrovechurch.com

Summer Calendar

Hey guys... the summer Calendar is almost complete... you will be able to view it soon... any questions let me know!!

I am so pumped about this summer... lots of fun stuff planned as well as challenging! Good times...

Amazing Journey

Last night we had a night to reflect and remember the life of Jesus Christ while he was here on earth. At Crossfire we took part in "Journey to the Cross." There were a number of stations that were set up for everyone to go through and participate in... tracking the journey Christ took up until he was buried and rose again! What a great time to spend thinking about what he did for us.... granted it took a little longer than I thought it was going to but still a powerful experience for a lot of people!! I was so blessed to be able to read some of the prayer journals, how good our God is. We will for sure be doing that again next year and maybe even include the entire church...

On top of a powerful evening, one student accepted Christ into her life for the first time... Praise God!! Indescribable the feelings!!

We will continue to seek after God with everything we have... no matter if life gets us down, no matter if friends cause us pain, no matter if we think the world is directly against us.... this should not stop us from pursuing a relationship with the God of the universe, our creator!!

March Madness

This is a crazy time of year for me... because I make it that way mostly!! :)  This is the time of year when college basketball junkies are in overdrive and the casual fan pays attention mainly to keep track of their office pool or online group bracket standings against their friends.   Either way, its magical!   Today I am about ready to head over to your friendly neighborhood Bdubs and sit for a few hours and watch the opening games, only to follow that with going to the Yoder place aka NCAA headquarters to finish off the evening!   So much fun... 

The more I think about the words March Madness I wonder if its called that for more reasons than basketball... for me this year is ever madening because my wife and I are looking for a place to live as we wait for our home to sell in Chicago... we are expecting a child at the end of April...  it is a crazy time in life and if I take a few moments and think about EVERYTHING going I get super stressed and overwhelmed!!   So much happening all at one time...  this is my opportunity to focus on what all of our focuses should be on every single day and that is Christ!!  He has everything under control... he wont give me more than I can handle and his plan is perfect...   He has plans to prosper my family, bless my family and expand its territory if we follow him with everything we are...   will there be bumps in the way yeah... will we deal with things in life we would rather not deal with... yeah...  In James 1 we are told to consider it pure joy when we go through trials of many kinds... because this develops perseverance in our lives!! 

As you consider the Madness of March know that your heavenly father has you in his hands and that the things you go through however severe are refining who you are in Christ... pursue him with all you have!!

Crossfire Blog

Here we go.... time for Crossfire to get in on the blogging action.... more info to come!