My entire life, I’ve felt lesser. As if my opinion didn’t matter.

In church, that is.

In the world, it was a completely different story. I was a good student, Honor Society and all that. In high school, I co-chaired a youth initiative for the regional community foundation and served the state on its youth service board. I don’t need to go on; you get the gist. I was listened to in school and in the community.

But at church, my voice was … well, ignored. Like an echo, bouncing around an empty cathedral searching for ears that would be open.

Even today, in my mid-thirties, seven-years ordained and serving as leader of the church, when I sit in a mixed group of people, my elders prefer to tell me what they think I’m thinking. They say young people aren’t in church and young people want this kind of music or that kind of experience.

Sometimes even looking right at me. Or past me, I suppose.

This is my experience, but it is an all-too-common one for many young Gen Xers and Millenials. And the next generation, unnamed, in our middle and high schools? Well, who wants to give them a seat at the table?

I do.
And I expect that they are more than capable of earning it.
They just don’t need another person depriving them of the chance.

I’ve written a manifesto, called A Church for All: Engaging Youth in Church and I want you to read it. To get a copy, go ahead and click the image or this colored text, and I’ll get it to you.

If you’ve already signed up for the mailing list, just put the info in again and you won’t be doubled up. Otherwise email me at [email protected] and I’ll get you a copy.

I believe strongly that our youth and young adults have the capacity and the desire to be the church. They already are.

The problem is us. The problem is our desire to control.

Please read this e-book and share it with anyone you think needs to receive it. For this is our church. All of us. And we want that “all” to mean something.

Get the book.