Why are Summit Ministries, Probe Ministries, the ReWired Curriclum, Josh McDowell Ministries and other sources of heady, engaging Christian education of such critical importance today?Because the Church is surrendering way too many young minds to the sensuality, sentimentality and secularism of the modern culture.
As Chuck Colson points out in this Breakpoint commentary, "Millennials" (Americans aged 18-29) are considerably less religious than the previous generations with very skewed ideas on evolution, sexuality, prayer, and a whole lot more. And yes, this includes a whole slew of young adults who were once "church kids." Therefore, ministries which are geared to developing a thorough, intelligent, informed and winsome Christian worldview in young people should be a priority.
Sure, even more important tasks before us are to dramatically remake family and church life. There is no substitute for these forces in the instruction and training of young Christians. Still, our generous support and liberal use of such ministries as those I mention above are also of incalculable value.
I know from experience the worth of the ministries I mention. I'm sure there are others that are also terrific. So, what about it? Do you know what these ministries are all about? Do they have your support? Are your kids plugged in?
Colson may be a bit more optimistic than I am in this area but his charge is a tight and timely one with which I wholeheartedly agree. He says, "The basic beliefs of young evangelicals are sound, but they are not applying them in a consistent way. This is why I believe we, the Church, must do a much better job of catechizing our young people and helping them develop a biblical worldview. We’ve got to give them a framework for understanding how absolute truth and the Gospel interact with all of life."
