We’ve given our youth group kids a shrunken version of the gospel that fits inside the small box of “sin management” I don’t blame them for tossing that gospel aside.
This is one of the highlights for me that came early on in the book. It comes after a discussion that many youth groups have adopted the gospel of sin management. I know that I have seen this in many youth groups and many conversations from fellow youth pastors. I think it is shifting a little, but it is still very prevalent.
Right before the quote above, there was this quote as well:
Our kids can stuff the gospel into a corner for many reasons, one of which is that they have somehow picked up that living as a Christian means following a list of what they should and shouldn’t do.
The gospel of sin management definitely is not close to what Paul had in mind when he was preaching and sharing the message of Christ. He constantly reminds us about “freedom”. Freedom though is a dangerous word. I think that many of the parents of the students attending student ministries across the world would love if we were “into” sin management. They want their children to have the wonderful do / don’t list down.
Sticky Faith nails it with this statement:
The concept of freedom can cause a little anxiety when it comes to our youth ministries, because many of us have been taught, or at least modeled (usually unintentionally) that freedom doesn’t actually mean freedom, but rather switching from one bondage (sin) to another (the gospel of sin management).
So, what are we do it ?
We must point to Jesus and help them discover and strengthen their trust and faith in Jesus Christ. We must be in the pursuit of trusting Jesus BECAUSE the good news is that Christ is already pursuing us.
Ministry In The Trenches 