This generation is searching for answers.  They try to look for those answers in sex, drugs, crime, rebellion, and many more things.  All they find is temporary deathly satisfaction, a lost hope, and a lost cause to live.  What these young people are longing for is realism, something that won't las only a few minutes or a few days, but something that will give them joy like they never had! They're truly searching and the church has got to find a way to let them know who Jesus is and how longs for them far more than they can understand!

I believe that today the church must change.  I believe that youth groups must change.  Today is the day for cutting edge youth ministry.  I get sick and tired of hearing how youth pastors are aiming at record high attendances.  Quantity does not mean quality!  When I was serving youth pastor I could get a couple hundred students to come out on a night and all I would have to do is have a poster saying free pizza and x-box.  Listen to me, don't get me wrong, large group are awsome.  Physical Growth is a great thing,  however it should not be be the primary and only focus.  I believe that it's time that we pray for fruit that remains and fruit that is contagious.  Spiritual growth brings physical growth.

A few years ago I was in a a staff meeting at another church who were having trouble with students not coming to the youth group.  All I did was sit and listen, and left with very sad heart.  They were talking about doing secular things to capture the eyes of the kids in the town.  Is that how low we're getting? To scrape the bottom of the bowl of creativity, if it is , my heart cries out.  To me these people were missing the big picture.  They were going over it, under it, next to it, but every time they missed it.  These students want real.

As I said earlier, spiritual growth brings physical growth.  What will win this generation to Christ is not to copy-cat worldy events, but events that have the everlasting imprint of the presence Jesus Christ.  Youth Services with true life changing worship and deep (we need to go deeper) relevant messages will change the hearts of the young people. 

When I served as youth pastor I've seen major growth.  I cannot tell you how many times a young person visited our group for the first time and felt the true warmth of the Lord and they came back accepting Christ.  When young people see other young people reach out to God, it becomes contagious!