Young Souls at Risk

I just finished reading the book Sticky Faith by Kara Powell and Chap Clark.  At a time when so many youth and young adults are turning their backs on the institutional church this book is must read book for parents and all Christians who have a relationship with a teenager.  If you are a member of a church, this includes you.  The nurture and caring of children and young people is a responsibility we share. 

A Sticky Faith is:

Both internal and external,
Both personal and communal, and,
Both mature and maturing. 

Such a faith continues to grow and flourish during the college and young adult years; the exact time when so many formerly "strong and committed" Christian youth are walking out the door.

One key component is a "Sticky web of Relationships" (chapter 5 in the book).  One concept Kara a and Chap introduce is the 1/5 ratio.  As an educator I thought I understood the concept, but the authors are not talking about one adult for every five students in a youth group or Bible class.  They are suggesting that every Christian young person should have five adults in their lives who are having a significant impact on the spiritual development of that teenager. 

I suggested similar relationships in my book Parenting Without Guilt.  One mistake parents make is not providing a support system for their teens.  It's important that the adults who make up that support system share a similar faith and values perspective with mom and dad.  Youth leaders, scout leaders and coaches all are in a position to impact the lives of your kids.   Kara and Chap go a step further in being more intentional.  They suggest maintaining an open line of communication with those folks.  They encourage parents to talk about those relationship with their teen and including those adults in their daily prayers. 

If the teens in our worship community are to have a Sticky Faith that grows and matures during their college years and beyond, it is a shared responsibility to make that happen.  More than the future of the church is at stake.  We are talking about young souls that are at risk.