Is your Church X-Rated?

I am writing this from the Youth Specialties Conference in Atlanta. I heard a powerful message of a youth pastor who was fired because he was bringing the “wrong” kind of youth to church.  This message reminded me of a powerful message I wanted to share with you that came from a new friend  I made last week.  When I was with him last week, Pastor Robb Fuesler from California asked this question, “Is your church X-Rated?”  So what does that mean?  It means, in today’s world many churches are X-Rated, that is no one under 18 is invited or welcome.  We structure our churches, our worship, our ministries in such a way that it sends a clear message that no on under 18 is going to find a place to belong, even if accompanied by a parent.  In short we don’t create our ministries, especially worship, to be inclusive of children and youth.  Robb went on to say that in today’s world, remember we lose 7 out of 8 young people, we should be striving for a church rated as AGE, Adult Guidance and Encouragement required.  We want to welcome the young ones and give them all of the guidance and encouragement necessary to build young disciples of Jesus.  We want to connect young people to Christ and his body in such a strong way that they know this is where they belong.

So, how is your church rated?  Is it X-Rated where no one under 18 really belongs and feels a part of the body or is it AGE rated where adults welcome, guide and encourage all those who are young and seeking?