Supporting Faithful Young People in Challenging Times
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change...”
For those of us who are older, we had the benefit of experiencing the Christian faith while it was still a societal norm. It is incumbent upon those of us who are older to appreciate and provide extra support and compassion for younger people of faith because they grew up in a society that treats their Christian faith as anathema. When I was in High School, most teachers and friends respected my church attendance. It opened doors to scholarships and support from people of all ages. Now, if anyone finds out the young person and their family are active in a church, there is often a derisive humph, intended for anyone who goes to church because they mistakenly believe that all churches support exclusivity, hatred, and anti-intellectualism.
The reality I just described came back yet again in reading an article by Ryan Fan. His article is “5 Inconvenient Things I’ve Had To Adjust Ever Since I Became A Christian.” Some of his inconvenient things we can appreciate and affirm: “I’ve had to try to love people I don’t like” and “I’ve had a lot less free time and time to work,” yet again, this twenty-something admits the pain of the inconvenience of “I have to answer all my friends’ bad experiences and negative views towards Christianity.”
Ryan Fan has maintained his perspective amid faith challenges. He says, “One thing my friends with bad experiences and antagonistic views toward Christianity don’t understand is that I’m not a stand-in for their bad experiences with the Church.” Fan continues, “I can’t change their minds, but I can live in a way that makes my friends ask, ‘there’s something about you, and I can’t put my finger on it,’ to draw them to Christ instead of preaching at them.”
For my younger readers, thank you for remaining strong in your faith. For my older readers, remember that younger people in the church are facing faith challenges we couldn’t have imagined as we were growing up. It requires us to allocate more of the church budget toward additional programming, meaningful mission ministries, and prayer time. Go through the church directory and pray for those younger than you. Even High School readers can do this. Elementary school children are probably going to have it harder than you do. Inviting the Holy Spirit’s support is ultimately the only way faith will continue to grow in our lives and in our society. Stop a younger person and let them know how grateful you are to have them in church with you.
