Neighborhood teenagers began hanging out...
Illustration
Neighborhood teenagers began hanging out on the weekends on the steps of a city
church. The church was located on the corner of a busy street. The young people would
sit and talk until midnight most weekends.
There were some people at the church who noticed that young people were sitting on the steps. There were candy wrappers and soda cans left on the sidewalk and behind the church sign. People from the church would arrive on Sunday morning to find trash and spilled drinks on the steps. Some in the church were quite upset and demanded immediate action.
The problem was discussed for several months at the church's board meeting. One person thought the church should post "No Trespassing" signs on the steps and then have the police arrest anyone who sits on the steps. Others thought this was a great idea and would most certainly stop this problem.
Betty was the voice of reason. She stated that it would not look good for the church if "No Trespassing" signs were in front of the door. "Who would want to come to our church?" she asked. In addition, the church would be cast in a negative light if young people were arrested on the steps of the church. Another person thought such action might lead to acts of vandalism.
It was Doug who suggested finding ways to include the young people in the life of the church. His remarks were met with scorn. "Let them come to our worship service," someone else said. Doug went on to explain that ever since he started attending that church they had been looking for ways to attract new people, especially young families, to the church. They held various events with no real success. "We have a dozen youth literally on our steps every Friday and Saturday night," he said.
The youth group had pizza one Saturday night out on the steps with the neighborhood youth. New friendships were formed. People from the church began talking to them. Before too long, some of the youth began attending worship services and after that, some of their parents. The parents were touched that the church cared so much for their teenage children.
There were some people at the church who noticed that young people were sitting on the steps. There were candy wrappers and soda cans left on the sidewalk and behind the church sign. People from the church would arrive on Sunday morning to find trash and spilled drinks on the steps. Some in the church were quite upset and demanded immediate action.
The problem was discussed for several months at the church's board meeting. One person thought the church should post "No Trespassing" signs on the steps and then have the police arrest anyone who sits on the steps. Others thought this was a great idea and would most certainly stop this problem.
Betty was the voice of reason. She stated that it would not look good for the church if "No Trespassing" signs were in front of the door. "Who would want to come to our church?" she asked. In addition, the church would be cast in a negative light if young people were arrested on the steps of the church. Another person thought such action might lead to acts of vandalism.
It was Doug who suggested finding ways to include the young people in the life of the church. His remarks were met with scorn. "Let them come to our worship service," someone else said. Doug went on to explain that ever since he started attending that church they had been looking for ways to attract new people, especially young families, to the church. They held various events with no real success. "We have a dozen youth literally on our steps every Friday and Saturday night," he said.
The youth group had pizza one Saturday night out on the steps with the neighborhood youth. New friendships were formed. People from the church began talking to them. Before too long, some of the youth began attending worship services and after that, some of their parents. The parents were touched that the church cared so much for their teenage children.
