During a recent Church meeting the issue of passivity among Christian young people came up. 

A few different people spoke about the lack of Spiritual depth and passion in church youth. 

One guy talked about the increasing problem of males spending almost all of their free time on computer games, and how they couldn’t be bothered going to church related activities. 

During the conversation I was disturbed to hear how young people aren’t interested in Christianity or in the things of God whatsoever.

Over the past eighteen months I have noticed that many of the young people I’ve had contact with in churches lack passion for God’s word, for prayer and for revival. 

All too often I’m part of that group of young people, and it scares me. 

About 11 years ago my dad began young adult camps designed to reignite a passion for God, and to challenge groups to get perspective on what life is really all about. 

Being one of his kids I was dragged along to nearly every single camp. 

One thing I have learnt from those camps is that ordinary young people can do extraordinary things when they are thrown in the deep end. 

It was remarkable. 

In the space of a weekend I would see shy, introverted young people speak a powerful sermon in front of a Church congregation on Sunday, or share their faith with a complete stranger.

And it happened year after year.

In my own life the times when I have grown spiritually have been the times when I’ve been pushed off the edge of the cliff, into the deep end. 

When I’m in a situation out of my depth I am forced to seek the help of God, and that’s when God works. 

He waits for the moments when we cry out to Him, when we have nothing to offer and are totally dependent on Him. 

Many young people in the church today are too comfortable, too safe to see the power of God in tangible ways.

I believe Christian young people need to take more risks in ministry, to be pushed off the edge, forced to swim in the deep end. 

Until we step out of the boat like Peter did during the storm more than two thousand years ago, we won’t see the power of God in our lives or in the lives of those around us.

A passionate life for Christ is a life full of risks.

Daniel Sercombe

Journalist

Counter Culture

daniel@counterculture.com.au