I AM FIRED UP
Ever since the all team retreat last week I have been charged up. There is nothing like getting filled and then getting back in the game.
I have been studying like crazy and one area of ministry I am focused on is our Youth. I am stirred up to see TVM and GRID29:11 explode. Student's need pastoral support, but most importantly they need parental support for the things of God. Pastors and parents must unite if we are going to see a generation of young people walk with God. The stakes are high--they are our kids--working together is the only chance we can give our student's!
As we enter our 9th year of the internship I have become absolutely convicted that interships are a necessity for every student. I used to think they were not for everyone. Not anymore. Recent stats from City Bible Churches 24-year internship study tell us that 9 in 10 who complete a 2nd year program serve God their entire life, while 5 in 10 who complete a 1 year program serve God their entire life.
Do you know what the stat is if a student graduates High School and does no internship? Just 10%. Current trends tell us that 4% of the generation that is in school today will serve the Lord. The sad reality is that a large majority of our student's are walking away. I realize some make it back like I did after 18-months screwing up, but the reality is many do not until they have done something they regret, or worse they never make it.
As parent's and pastors we must be vigilant to set our kids up for a lifetime with God. Internships are not going away; instead, I believe they will multiply nationwide 100 fold in the next couple years.
I was thinking yesterday, one of the fastest growing religions in the United States is that from Utah, the mormons. I wonder if it is because the pastors and parents are united to see that their students give 2 years of their life to God's work after HS before pursuing their own dreams.
Perhaps Christ followers need a reality check that our kids are not finished just because they go to youth group, graduate HS, turn 18 or get married. I desire students to start college as bad as any parent, or begin a good job, but at what price? Integrity and character are too valuable to be left to chance. It costs 100k to get a college degree, what is lifetime of character and integrity worth? For a large majority, it will require two years of total commitment to serve God.
Can we bury our head in the sand like an ostrich, pretend that it would never happen to us and wishfully think our kids are a part of the 10% that will serve the Lord post HS without any discipleship? That's a chance I am unwilling to take.
