church and youth groups
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church and youth groups
| Sat, 09-08-2007 - 5:08am |
My children were christened and made their Communions and used to go to church. My parents became terminally ill and visits from my children became the highlight of their lives. As circumstances were, I had to make a choice of letting my dds spend Sundays with their grandparents which meant no church, or with us and church. I chose letting them be with their grandparents. I don't regret that in the slightest. But now it's time for church-going again, as my parents have passed on. I was wondering if your children go to church every Sunday where there is a Youth Group. One Mom who is a friend lives in Texas and said she chose their church because of the Youth Group there and that it was a wonderful experience. Since we just moved to a new town, we will be choosing a new church in this area. We are all comfortable with any Christian church just about. We just believe in being good--and like people from all religions if they are kind people. I was just wondering about Youth Groups. They don't seem big in our area. I never heard a Mom here or in our old town talk about one. But I was wondering about other families. The Moms on this board are very thoughtful parents, who don't take parenting casually, which I really appreciate! Thanks so much as usual for any responses you may have! I realize they say never talk about religion or politics, but I would like to know more about youth group experiences if anyone doesn't mind sharing.

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It's kind of weird. There are a couple guys that Kelsie sees at church and they talk and have a great time together in class etc. but get them in school together and they barely say hello to each other.
Unfortunatly the kids Jaryd was confirmed with last year don't go to the same school as he does.
I'd say, look for a church that you all like and go from there. Youth groups aren't huge in our area but they are there and a lot of the kids in the churches do go to them.
Good luck finding a home church that you love,
Kristie
I would pick your church based on where you are comfortable :) I am in Texas and yes Youth groups are very popular. So much so that many kids pick the church for family's based on where their friends go to youth group. Now, as great as I think it can be, so many of the kids going do it for purly social reasons. We did this and left a church that we had been at for 11 yrs. We thought that it was important that the kids were happy.....wrong......they moved on from that youth group, didn't really care for the church either, so now we sit, without a home church and we haven't really found where to go :( You know, leaving the church we were at caused some tiffs :( so it is uncomfortable to be there now....I am rambling a bit, but I wouldn't put too much into youth groups....especially if your not even in an area that they are "big".
Good luck :)
Julie
Church youth groups are not that popular here so I have no words of wisdom.
I would however pick the church based on your core beliefs first. If it has a youth group, great.
There are so many variations on the "theme"; one Christian Church is not the same as another. For example, there is a big difference between Roman Catholic, Baptist and United. They are Christian but have different "takes" on Jesus's teachings.
Good luck
ITA about many going for social reasons only - I was raised Catholic but the youth groups I attended (back in the day!) were Presbyterian, Methodist and then Lutheran, with each of my respective best friends at the time. And I never felt uncomfortable or forced to 'change' - it was for fellowship and friendship and it was great, regardless of faith. JMHO.
Sue
"never felt uncomfortable or forced to 'change' - it was for fellowship and friendship"
I didn't mean to imply that anyone made our children feel as if they had to "change" I just was saying that we actually changed churches (our bad). And "fellowship and friendship" is exactly what I meant by "social" reasons....I was implying that the OP should choose her church based on her beliefs, not the kids fellowship and friendship :)
Julie
Ramona Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!
We have youth groups in our area. Our family is Roman Catholic and pretty much all the churches in this area have youth groups. The youth group at our church is active in the community, particpates in activities sponsored by the church, and right now are raising funds to send their members to the next World Youth Day.
We have another youth group at a nearby church that has a tradition of putting on the best Easter Passion Play you'd ever see. The kids love it. They do everything -- costumes, music, props, scenery etc and their shows are sold out three nights in a row each Easter season. The kids meet alot of other kids through the youth group and they get volunteer service credits which in our area you must have to graduate high school.
As much as they like them I'd say the influence on the kids has been mixed. The good kids go and meet other good kids and do lots of church activities and they're okay. The kids who maybe are a bit more "socially advanced" as you might say go there to meet members of the opposite sex and it ends up being a place to meet boyfriends and girlfriends!!! And just because they are in youth groups doesn't stop them from the typical issues of adolescence!!
My kids unfortunately are not too active in the church and I take some responsibility for that because I never really forced the issue. My attendance at church is inconsistent at best. My 16 yo dd was dragged to church for a while before her 8th grade confirmation but since then goes only for weddings and other family events. My 12 yo son has no interest whatsoever and is even questioning his own faith. I am attempting to get him to be open to attending church but he's waffling a bit...
Ah well...as you say...they are excellent kids, kind, loving, thoughtful, generous, sensitive, family-oriented, well-behaved so...that's all that matters right now. They both go to Catholic schools and are instructed in the faith so if they ever want to become more serious in it at least they have the background.
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