Are we creating wimpy Christians?

Are our ministries functioning as “safe havens” for young believers to seek harbor — not from anti-Christian hostility or religious persecution — but from engaging in the difficult issues in the world (and in the Bible) that would serve to challenge them to grow and mature in their faith; which instead results in a weak, watered-down, untested faith?

We shouldn’t expect our students to be able to face the struggles that will naturally come their way as the result of being a follower of Jesus in this world, if they are not willing to intentionally enter into the kind of faith exploration that will 1) expose their doubts, 2) challenge their current set of beliefs and convictions, and 3) ultimately demand that their lives more accurately reflect what they claim to believe.

Do our ministries assist in this process?

Or do we hinder it?

I believe there is a time — specifically in the discipleship of new believers — when we want to create a more “protective” environment in which students can explore, learn and grow.

But I think that too many of our youth and college ministries are providing a “safe place” for students who have made some serious decisions about their faith and life  — to sit idle.

They are coming to us once or twice a week to seek refuge from the world (campus life) that seems to challenge their faith commitments.

They come for peace.

They come for encouragement.

They come for a “boost.”

But what they really need is to be challenged to live in the tension.

The tension of faith and doubt.

The tension of being around people who think different. Believe different. ARE different.

The tension of God’s call and the call of the American Dream.

The tension of honoring relationships and abusing them.

The tension of living in a Now/Not Yet world — where things are not as they should be, but Jesus has placed us and wants to utilize us.

We need to be people (ministries) that are sensitive to the immediate needs of our students — yes. But we also need to be willing to help our students turn around and face the challenges that they are running from.

We need to exam the ways in which our discipleship and mentoring is preparing and equipping our students — to make certain that they’re actually producing the kind of fruit that is intended in the life of our students.

These are critical years.

What we offer students must be thoughtful, intentional and helpful.

Our students don’t need safe havens — at least not most of them.

They need to be trained and equipped for life as a follower of Jesus.

They need to be encouraged and challenged to live out their faith in a world that doesn’t understand them.

So how do we do this?

• How do we move them from where they are to where they need to be?
• Especially if they’re not ready?
• Or willing?
• Or they don’t believe that they are lacking?
• How do we shape our ministries to avoid creating the kind of “safe haven” that ultimately leaves our students more vulnerable to the temptations of the world?

I’d love to know what you think! Please take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below.