I have been a part of middle school ministries for the better part of five years now. I have concluded adult-themed testimonies and middle school... they don't mix well. Recently, some testimonies seem to have become too "adult" for the audience. It could be just me.
I've listened to many testimonies where adults confessed they were misfits or drug addicts or alcoholics or just plain mean. It's comical when men yell all the way through their testimony as if that excites middle schoolers. Confessions of marriage and divorce fall on deaf ears as well as tales of promiscuity. In fact, if one watches the reactions of the preteens, you may notice most have checked out. Middle schoolers, generally speaking, do not relate to those topics. In fact, I would suggest it makes them more uncomfortable than interested in God. Curious still, why would anyone believe it’s good for kids to listen to stories of sex, drugs, and criminal behavior cloaked as testimony?
A Baptist pastor I respect is fond of saying the people who need to hear God's Word aren't in church on Sunday. Let me be clear, I believe those testimonies are valuable. In fact, those testimonies do have a very important place in this world. I know people need to hear how Jesus can reach down and pluck them out of a destructive or abusive environment. They need the hope Jesus offers. They need to know Jesus saves lives... literally as well as spiritually. The thing is, the people who need to hear that message aren’t likely attending middle school or even attending church.
I learned, during my time in the Air Force, to never highlight a flawed process just to complain... but always bring a solution to the discussion. My solution here: Go where those people live and eat and work who need to hear that specific "adult" message. Christian leaders love the saying "meet them where they are," especially youth leaders. So, why not venture out of the church environment, even if it’s just around the corner, and meet them where they are… "them" being drug addicts, alcoholics, and teenage boys that abuse their moms.
Have a good and godly day.
I've listened to many testimonies where adults confessed they were misfits or drug addicts or alcoholics or just plain mean. It's comical when men yell all the way through their testimony as if that excites middle schoolers. Confessions of marriage and divorce fall on deaf ears as well as tales of promiscuity. In fact, if one watches the reactions of the preteens, you may notice most have checked out. Middle schoolers, generally speaking, do not relate to those topics. In fact, I would suggest it makes them more uncomfortable than interested in God. Curious still, why would anyone believe it’s good for kids to listen to stories of sex, drugs, and criminal behavior cloaked as testimony?
A Baptist pastor I respect is fond of saying the people who need to hear God's Word aren't in church on Sunday. Let me be clear, I believe those testimonies are valuable. In fact, those testimonies do have a very important place in this world. I know people need to hear how Jesus can reach down and pluck them out of a destructive or abusive environment. They need the hope Jesus offers. They need to know Jesus saves lives... literally as well as spiritually. The thing is, the people who need to hear that message aren’t likely attending middle school or even attending church.
I learned, during my time in the Air Force, to never highlight a flawed process just to complain... but always bring a solution to the discussion. My solution here: Go where those people live and eat and work who need to hear that specific "adult" message. Christian leaders love the saying "meet them where they are," especially youth leaders. So, why not venture out of the church environment, even if it’s just around the corner, and meet them where they are… "them" being drug addicts, alcoholics, and teenage boys that abuse their moms.
Have a good and godly day.
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