Spring is here, and we are blessed by new growth and bright blooms. This time of year the connection between the ideas of good soil, water, and pruning and our spiritual journey is easy to see. The Bible uses these comparisons because they provide good guidelines for the ways in which we develop and nurture our faith.
As seeds need care and good soil, the youth of our church and community need adult connections in this early part of their spiritual lives. Every one of them is a potential bloom needing a great community with lots of opportunities for spiritual practice and teaching. The quality of their connections with adults in a community such as ours will often make or break how they respond to their faith later in life. Without adult contact they often will not have the chance to set good roots in faith before they are in the world on their own.
Who was there pointing the way in your faith journey? A Sunday school teacher, a concerned and connected adult, a friendly smile in a large church community? As adults we can remember those who took part when we were youth and helped to shape our path with Christ. Our mentors in faith may not always have been present with us for long stretches of time, but they were there at the moments that counted to provide -- sometimes unknowingly -- the guidance we needed for the next big leap of faith.
Youth today need adult contact and support just as much as we needed it in our past. Without that contact, those important seeds of faith planted in their lives go untended. It is rare that they can find peers who can fill this job. For most it will take an adult who can listen, serve, and sometimes answer them. Our church offers a diverse group of adult believers with experiences that can provide this same nourishment and direction in their growth. If you feel so led, I encourage you to use your gifts and talents to make a connection with the youth you see in your life.
Whatever we do, we should know that we have helped someone along his or her personal path with Christ. It is probable that we will not see a huge impact tomorrow, but it is assured that our connection will be remembered. Like bulbs planted early, the youth we serve today will bloom in a future spring. Blessings to you, and thank you for your work.
Jarrod Judge,
Director of Youth Ministries
jarrod@salemfirstpres.org
A Letter from the Youth Leader