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We hear a lot of talk within the church today about the need to disciple teenagers and young people because "they are the future of the church," but there was a day when teenagers were an integral part of the work of the church, and of this reformation movement. I understand that we live in a different culture and environment than Blair Radaker. We generally do not see young people leaving school to work in mines, or anywhere else for that matter, and I am not encouraging anyone to do so. However, that does not mean that teenagers do not have anything to offer in the church today. Paul told Timothy, "Do not neglect the gift that you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you," 1 Timothy 4:14 (ESV). Teens should not simply be "the future of the church"; they should be an active, indispensable part of the church today.
God has used young people countless times over the course of history. He has used them as prophets to His people and as leaders of mighty movements. God reminded Jeremiah that there has never been a day when age was a valid excuse not to use the gifts God's Holy Spirit has instilled within His people. "Do not say, I am only a youth; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord," Jeremiah 1:7, 8. Paul told Timothy, "Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity," 1 Timothy 1:12. While it is true that those who are not mature in their spiritual life should not be placed in ministry, it is equally true that there are adults who are no more qualified for ministry than those who are young, based on this standard-- and some of them take part in the teaching ministry of the church, nonetheless!
There is not now, nor has there ever been, a valid excuse for each person young or old not to use the gifts God has placed within her or him. The barriers between age groups in the church are made by man, and did not come from God. We hear many of the popular speakers of our day blame the older generations of the church for these barriers, but at times young people are just as guilty of establishing them.
Paul did not simply tell Timothy not to allow people to look down on him because of his age, he gave instruction to keep that from happening. He told his young friend to be an example to believers in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. This means that the standards of Christian living are not lower for young people than they are for those who are older. Despite popular opinion, the number of birthdays we have celebrated does not have to be a hindrance to the work of God's Spirit in the life of each person within His church. God has promised gifts to each one, we must put ourselves in a position to allow those gifts to work through us.
Dennis Kinlaw wrote, "One of the beauties of God's working with us is that he deals with us as a community. He gives you what I need, and miraculously he gives me something you are going to need. The Holy Spirit is the one who gives us gifts, and he is the one who wants to control their use. Thus it is absolutely essential that a person who has a gift of the Spirit be filled with the Spirit."
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The Gospel Coalition website gives the following data on “Why Youth Stay in Church”: 1.They are converted. The apostle Paul, interestingly enough, doesn’t use phrases like “nominal Christian” or “pretty good kid.” Listen to these words: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17). 2. They have been equipped, not entertained. Christ gives teachers to the church, not for entertainment, encouragement, examples, or even friendship primarily [but] to the church to “equip” the saints to do gospel ministry, in order that the church of Christ may be built up. 3. Their parents preached the gospel to them. . . . The 20-somethings who are serving, leading, and driving the ministries at our church were kids whose parents made them go to church. . . . whose parents punished them and held them accountable when they were rebellious. |
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What is the Truth for Our Teenagers? |
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In 1913 H.M. Riggle held a tent revival in Hog Hollow (now known as Middle Run), Pennsylvania. Among those who came to Christ during that time was a 12-year old whose name was Blair Radaker. He was baptized in Red Bank Creek in the following days and from there his life took an astounding turn. Blair had dropped out of school after 4th grade to work in the coal mines, but after his conversion he felt God's call to preach.
At the age of 14 he began to hold revival meetings in school houses across Western Pennsylvania. Over the course of his remarkable ministry he planted at least 4 different congregations and pastored leaders such as Eugene Sterner. Blair's own family was influenced by his willingness to answer God's call, as his son Bruce answered the call to ministry some years later, and even the generations beyond (myself included) have been called by God to follow in the ministry of this uneducated teenager who endeavored to pursue even an unlikely call. |
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The truth is, teenagers are under the same mandate to live a Spirit-filled life, and carry the gospel into the world under which every Christian through all ages has lived. And if the church is going to be successful in shining the light of Jesus Christ into a darkened world, teenagers will be an important part of that work. Who has more opportunity to give testimony of the work God has done, and is doing in their lives than those who go to school with hundreds of other students who do not know Jesus Christ? This is why it is imperative that we realize that teenagers are not simply the "future of the church," they are as much the church as anyone else. And Scripture calls them to use their God-given gifts to glorify Him. |
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If you look at the history of the world, you will see countless examples of extraordinary things done by people during their teenage years. At 17 George Washington was the official surveyor of Culpeper County, Virginia. At 14 Clara Barton became a nurse. She was entrusted with people’s lives! What might God's call be on teenagers today? There could be young people in each of our congregations who have a message from God to deliver to His people. There could be others who are being prepared for work on the mission field, and still others who will lead great movements of God's people into the light of His Truth. The possibilities are endless.
If you read the whole of Scripture, you will notice that young people are repeatedly used by God. In fact, Peter quoted the prophet Joel when he said, "Your young men shall see visions," Acts 2:17. There is not even one place in all the Bible that uses the word "teenager." God uses those who walk with Him, who want to know Him. There is no distinction among the people of God based on their age; they are simply called to maturity and a Spirit-filled life. Each person has a gift given by God Himself. Will we allow these gifts to flourish in the ministry of the church? Will our young people be a part?
My life and ministry was affected in a profound way by a teenage boy who answered God's call all those years ago in a rural mining town in Pennsylvania. We do not know all the ways young people will impact the ministry of the church, but make no mistake, when they get involved and God's fire is kindled in their hearts there will be an impact! Dennis F. Kinlaw, This Day With the Master (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002, copyright by The Francis Asbury Society) devotion for May 13. Alex and Brett Harris, Do Hard Things (Portland, OR: Multinomah Books, 2009) 30-33.
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