That Dreaded Jury Duty?

Maybe I am weird, but I actually don’t mind being called for jury duty.  I see it as my duty, and usually come home with some interesting stories to tell.  Aside from shopping at Walmart (something I do not enjoy), I can think of few places where I can see such a cross-section of society.  I know I am going to meet some interesting people while waiting to be called, and in those long waits in the hallway.  

After all the years of rejection, I actually got to serve on a jury a few years ago.  It was a memorable experience, and great study of group dynamics.  It took us one day to reach a verdict and then three days of deliberation trying to determine the sentence.  There might even be a book based on the case since one of the members of the jury was a retired police detective who now writes crime novels.  In spite of the tension and differences of opinion we left with a sense of accomplishment.  

I thought of all this yesterday when I read a new report from Pew Research.  According to a recent poll, 67% of Americans still equate jury duty with something you do as a civic duty.  Older adults (65+) are most likely (78%), while only 50% of young adults (18-29) held that opinion.  Around 70% of baby boomers and members of generation X view jury duty as a civic responsibility. It is estimated that only about 15% of Americans actually receive a jury summons each year, and only about 5% of us actually get to serve on a jury.

So if most of us see it as sign of good being a good citizen, why all the moaning and groaning when we receive that jury summons?  What message are we sending when we complain publicly about being called to serve?  That is especially the case when the audience might include children, teens and young adults.  I might add that our comments about paying taxes and obeying the traffic laws might also send the wrong message.  One concern about millennials and generation Z (those born since 2000) is that they do not have of sense of national pride as older adults.  It is not enough to just teach American history, we need to be underscoring the responsibilities that go with it.  Even out casual comments might sent the wrong message.

With Teens it has to be Personal

“How many kids showed up?”  It was a question I knew I would be asked after every event during my years in youth ministry.  Sometimes it was the senior pastor on Monday morning, other times it was my own family when I got home.  Youth ministry is not unique on that account.  We tend to evaluate a church based on the average Sunday attendance, but, lots of folks in the sitting in the pew does not always guarantee they are growing spiritually.  We can plan an event that attracts a flock of teens but if the experience does nothing to further their relationship with Christ it is hard to call it youth ministry.

It took me a long time to learn the lesson; high numbers do not mean success.  It is all about relationships; my relationship with the people and ultimately their relationship with Jesus.  That has become even more so in youth ministry today.  Contemporary teens are over-programed and frequently stressed.   Their lives can become so full that they have little time for regular youth activities church.  By the time they are juniors and seniors we might see very little of them, other than Sunday morning.  As a result the participation numbers are down.  We have fewer kids and less time to work with those that we do have.  Still the door is open even for a relationship with kids who do not attend youth activities.   

Youth ministry has always been about relationships.   Probably the only difference is that now relationships are often not face to face.  Social media and the ability to text and facetime make it possible for kids to contact us 24/7.  All of this makes me a little envious.  In the days of landlines and postcards, daily contact with the kids in the youth group was near impossible.  If I got a call from a teen in the middle of the day it was probably not a good things; it either meant there was an emergency or they were in trouble.  Now kids can text their youth minister just to tell them “Hi” or to let them know they “Aced” their biology exam. 

Come to think of it, we all should look for opportunities to stay in touch with teens this way.  I never thought the day would come when I would get text messages from my grandson, Andrew, but that day is here.  What an opportunity!  But our communication with teens and young adults should not be limited to our grandchildren.  If there are young people in our lives, we need to show them we care.  Part of that comes from connecting on social media and letting them know they can contact us.  Greeting them at church and showing an interest in their lives and interest is a great way.  Showing up at their sporting events, concerts and other activities is another.  

It should especially be the case for those involved in ministry.  Every student should have their youth minister, DCE or one of the volunteer leaders on their contact list on their mobile devices.  It starts already in confirmation class.  Do you have a question or concern?  Text me.  Facing a tough decision and need someone to talk to, let me know.   

How many kids showed up?  No, how many kids have you had contact with this week? That should be the way we evaluate our ministry to teens.

Honestly, Doubt is a Reality

One thing I appreciate about most millennials is their honesty.  Once they feel comfortable with you, they will tell you exactly how they feel about an issue. Unfortunately, that is often not the case with many adults.  Granted there are some people who are opinionated.  Those folks are quick to get on their soapboxes concerning issues they are passionate about. Regrettably, that is not the case with many adults.  Most of us are satisfied with surface conversations, talking about the weather or our favorite sports team.  Think about it.  When was the last time you had a deep, heart to heart, conversation with a friend.

A recent report from The Barna Group indicates that doubt and fear about their faith is more prevalent among adult Christians than we might think.  Almost two-thirds of the adults polled for the study indicates that they had experienced doubt concerning their faith and even the existence of God.  If that is indeed the case, there are a lot of us who are hiding our deepest thoughts and concerns.  We do not talk about those uncertainties because we do not want people to think less of us.  As a result we play the religious game.  We put on a facade that we are confident and sure of our faith, when in reality fears and doubt are buried within us. 

If we can just open the door to a discussion about those doubts and fears we might not just create an atmosphere of honesty but an environment where millennials would feel welcome.  It is time for us to change the image that young people have of the church.  God’s desire is not for a worship community that focuses on spirituality but on brokenness.  That is why confession and absolution are such an important element when we gather as a community of faith.  God loves us, even amidst our doubts and fears.