I began thinking about the SMFOYAYP (Shared Mission Focus on Youth and Young People). They tried to define what age groups were considered youth and young adults. In some African countries where the life expectancy is 30 an 8 year old is considered a youth. In some asiatic nations a 35 year old is a young adult. So ... we have a division that deals with age-based ministries ... focusing on people between the ages of 8 and 35! HA.

I have heard of several 11 year olds who have threatened suicide. Kids are "coming out of the closet" at the age of 10 according to Time magazine. I think it's about time that the American church begins re-thinking our youth ministries. There isn't a magical number - no magical age at which a person starts dealing with youth issues. So how do we address the needs of an 8 year old who is already smoking pot and a 35 year old who still is? How do we effectively bring Christ to the 9 year old without a mother and the 30 year old mother who lost her 9 year old?

I don't agree with the principle of "age based ministry." I go the older adult class. I work with children's ministries over the summer. I go to a middle-aged bible study on Wednesdays. I go to youth group on Sunday Nights. I feel fed and fulfilled at all of these gatherings. I belive and strongly support an intergenerational view of ministry. I want more 80 year old women working with the youth and more teens going to the older adult Sunday School class.