SUNDAY MORNING CHANGES
One article in "Leadership Journal" puts it this way; “Youth involved in intergenerational relationships in church are showing promise for stronger faith in high school and beyond.” In the past years we have not helped students integrate into the church. Instead we have encouraged segregation by offered a separate worship experience for 7th, 8th, and 9th graders on the weekend called XP. In light of some of the things we have been learning, we have decided that we need to take steps to diminish the gap between students and the RiverTree community.
Another summer has once again come and gone. And with the passing of summer, we find ourselves looking forward to another school year. I wanted to take a minute and share with you some things we have been learning. We are constantly trying to discern how can we help students grow in their faith. One of our main goals is to help students develop a deep and meaningful faith. We want to see them continue to be connected to Christ throughout college and the rest of their lives, letting Jesus use them to change the world around them.
One of the most alarming statics is the number of students who walk away from the church and their faith after graduating high school. Our immediate response is to ask “what can we do to change this?” We want to help students stay connected to a church, and keep their faith strong not only throughout middle school and high school, but also when they move onto college and adult life.
One trend that seems to influence this increasing number of high school graduates leaving the church is the segregation of youth from the larger church body. Many recent studies show that 40 to 50% of students who grow up in a church structure that does not integrate youth and adults are likely to struggle to connect with a faith community and continue with their faith after they graduate. This would indicate that one of the best things we can do for students to help them mature is to integrate them into the larger church body.
Therefore, we have decided to no longer hold a separate worship experience for middle school students. We believe that it will be more beneficial for students 7th grade and beyond to attend one of RiverTree’s weekend services with their family and/or friends. We also would encourage students to take advantage of serving in another area such as Tree House Kidz.
In many churches the larger worship service is not relevant for students. At RiverTree that is not the case. The church leadership here at RiverTree is an advocate for making weekend services intergenerational. The teaching team wants to be relevant to adults and students alike, and the worship leaders are constantly seeking to create worship experiences that cross all generations.
Still we are aware that some sermon series will be less applicable to students. Therefore, during sermon series that are less applicable to students we will offer “Break Aways” for 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. Breakaways will occur 2-3 times per year. Each Breakaway will last 3-4 weeks.
We will continue to offer a mid-week gathering specifically designed to meet middle school students right where they are at. This program is called NRG (pronounced "energy"), and meets at RiverTree every Wednesday from 7-9pm.
Click here for details on NRG.
Questions? Contact Laura Meierdiercks at meierdiercksl@rivertreechristian.com.
Students in grades 9-12 are invitted to participate in GoCos (Go Communities). Click here for details on High School GoCos.
Questions about High School Student Ministries? Contact Mike Suit at suitm@rivertreechristian.com.
* If you would like more information on integrating students into the larger church body, we have the FULL article on intergenerational worship from Leadership Journal available. Just clink the link in the top right hand portion of this page.