Article October 4, 1969 Issue

Youth's Place in Church

RALPH BYRON COPPER

It is no longer surprising to hear that churches are experiencing a youth dropout. Simply put, many teen-agers and other young adults do not feel the need for church, primarily because many churches have not been meeting the needs of youth. It should be understood that branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, are not exempt from this suggestion of generation gap. Only by recognizing and seeking to solve the immediate problems of the world in which youth live does a branch church find the teen-ager voluntarily coming to its Sunday School and, when the branch provides for this, joining in its membership and participating in church activities.

Youth will be more likely to find their rightful place in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, as the members open their consciousness to lively, relevant ideas. Mental examination of the structure and purpose of church is often required before room is prepared for the fresh, new thought. The starting point from which to take inventory of one's concept of church is to be found in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. "Church" is defined therein as "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle.

"The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick." ^{ Science and Health, p. 583;}

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"Love's divine adventure"