An "Alarming" Number of Adolescents Are...

Dear Church,

"Alarming" is a reflection on you, not the statistics. You knew this would happen; 2 Cor 4.4. Please find a different word, and then we'll save the world, shall we?

Sincerely,
Piqued in Pew

That is not to say those statistics aren't important. What is happening around us is truly tragic. You do not have to be sitting in a pew to see that; on any given evening the nightly news reports the hell and horror our world sustains.

However, it is more important to note the murmers and gasps heard around the room after hearing those statistics. You would have thought Armageddon were upon us. Why were those numbers so surprising? Where have we been, that we have not already witnessed what the speaker was telling us? And what did we expect? Honestly? Does "the salt of the world" mean anything to you?

--NOTE: If you are merely looking for another grievance against the Church, stop reading here. If you are discontent with the state of things and don't mind a few, paltry thoughts, read on.--

Let's face it: the world is going to hell in a handbasket. This is a biblical principle. Since the Fall, Creation has turned against itself. Nothing goes right. People go hungry. Mothers forsake children. We all die. It's why Christ came. Even now, sin ravages Outsiders and Christians alike. The only difference is, sometimes Christians win. It's still a struggle though; few would deny that. (By the way, there are Bible references for all these points if you're interested.)

Two things here:
(1.) If it is still a struggle for us, why don't we admit it? To each other? To the world?
(2.) If it is still a struggle for us, who have the Creator of the universe on our side, why are we surprised when the world struggles even more?

If those gasps were part of the holy horror of God, great. More power to ya. But if that's the case, you are not going to be content to listen to statistics on Sunday morning and then push the snooze button on Monday.

If those gasps were merely from the fact that the numbers offended your sensibilities, let's go back to one of the first questions: where have you been?! These numbers are commonplace! The world is falling to pieces, and you don't know it yet?! (Says the cynic in me: Oh, I see, you were at Bible Study.)

Christians, we are called to be ministers! To wash feet, to serve, to bind up the brokenhearted and to release captives. To be the salt of the Earth!!! Where are we, Christians? Why are the statistics so high? Where have we been, we who can truly help?

As the pastor said, no amount of book-learning is going to change these lives; only experiencing God will. We know this God, Christians! Do we also know these people?