Teenagers & Church

I grew up going to church every Sunday as a family and my husband did not. It was a constant fight every Sunday morning until I stopped nagging him to go with me. He started attending once or twice a month, if I was lucky. Now he rarely goes and neither do our daughters. It doesn't stop me from going but it sure would be nice to go as a family (other than Christmas, Easter, and Mother's Day). I am anxious to read other responses!
If you live in the Fort Bend County area, River Point is a wonderful church with lots of youth activities. I have tried to get my family to go there with me but they haven't so I continue to go to the church where I am most comfortable.

How about visiting Lakewood Church? There are many walks of life there as well young and old. Also, know that your family is watching your every step even when it does not look like it. Just keep praying, seeking God, and He will save your household because of your obedience and faith. It is written, "As for me and my house,we serve the Lord!" Joshua 24:15 God bless you and your family and Happy Easter!

Well, A. I understand your dilema...I ask this...does the church have a youth minstry? I know that one of the things that I faced with my 5 daughters was that it wasn't that they didn't like going to church....they had to listen to the choir...and the choir didn't sing any songs that the kids knew. I find that churches have to be able to minister to the diversity of the congregation. Sit down and discuss it with them to find out why they don't want to go to church (including hubby). I found out that my daughters didn't like the praise and worship because they sang old songs. Also, my daughters love praise dancing, so I tried to get them involved in that. I think once you pin point the reason they don't want to go..you can go from there.

Keep praying and keep going, regardless. You have to be the example for the kids. And bring prayer into your home too...do devotionals, bible study yourself. They will see you growing spiritually. I have a similar situation, but my kids are not teenagers yet. When they ask why doesn't daddy have to go to church, I tell them "When you are 18 you can decide for yourself. In the meantime, it is my parental responsibility to take you to church with me." If you can get your husbands support for that, it really will help. Keep praying and always remember, God's delay is NOT God's denial. His timing is perfect.

Hi, A.! What's going on with your youth group right now? Many youth groups have fun social events that your teens may like to attend... ice cream socials, movie nights, etc. That would be the first place to start!

Also, look at the atmosphere of your church. Is it teen-friendly? Are people expected to dress up? Are the relationships real or surface? Would you be comfortable there if you were in their shoes? What community outreach programs are they doing?

Hope this helps!

Hello A.,
I don't know what Church body you are a member of, but I have found children, (teens as well) tend to appreciate, a place where they can get involved. There are a lot of ministries where they have children's church and teen ministry.
The messages are taught on their level and are about things they can relate to. Checking into this might be something you want to consider.

Hi A.

I just joined this site - I am so excited! I have a 16 year old and we moved from Michigan in August, so he was moody anyway and church was not really on his mind. Some of his friends had invited him to youth group at different churches and he has fun at them - so now, going to church with us is not a big deal, even though he is not involved in our youth group. Most churches have youth groups and youth pastors or directors. Talk to them and ask for their guidance - this is a very common issue!

First of all, congratulations of having a houseful of teens and not killing any of them yet!

If your husband isn't going to church, you cannot expect his son to go at all. That just isn't in the books. You are his step mom.

Sadly, if daddy isn't going to church, it won't inspire the others to go either, and you are trying to fight a battle that even the best of evangelists have lost.

Just keep up the praying, and setting the example. Your children are of the age that they are starting to "discover" other religions too....right from their own peers. Just be prepared to enlighten them to your knowledge.

I was very surprised when I found out that my daughter's boyfriend researched and joined, and then caused his mother to join a local church. If you've raised your children to be respectful of other's choices and have a strong belief in God, they will eventually "come around".

The hardest thing to remember, is it is God's time table, not ours.

In my house, they do not have the choice as to whether to go or not. They do however have the choice of WHERE to go. My children attend a different church from my husband and myself. It is one with a very active youth group attended by many of their friends. I know many of the people at their church and frequently volunteer for youth activities to ensure that my sons are being trained in a way that I would approve. I have attended their services a few times but am just not as comfortable there as I am in my church. The important thing is they have to be comfortable in church or it is viewed as a punishment to have to get up and go. So encourage them to find a place they would be comfortable.

D.