by Sara A Broers

Created on: October 31, 2008   Last Updated: November 04, 2008

Wow, what a topic! The role of religion in teen life. How many of you belong to a church where the question is asked, "How do we keep our teens involved in our church?" I hear this now and then in my church and encourage people not to give up. The teen years are challenging. As a society we have high expectations, which are sometimes outlandish, on these young people. Keeping their grades up, learning how to drive, passing a driving test, writing letters to colleges, attending confirmation class, filling out scholarship forms, singing in the church choir, working a part time job, and just meeting their basic everyday needs is another accomplishment in itself. Now, I do not know about you? But as an adult, I would have a difficult time keeping my life in order with all of these things on a platter in front of me.

As a parent to two teenage boys I can attest that life is not always easy and there are struggles. I can honestly say that through our family's faith in God we have been able to plow through the waves that God has tossed our way. Our boys are 18 and 13 years old. Our 18 year old is trying to complete his Senior year in high school, working a part time job, and trying to keep his driver license. Our 13 year old keeps busy with Boy Scouts, Confirmation, youth praise band, and being a mentor through our local parks and recreation department. Both boys show their conscience through the good deeds that they do and the honesty that they show in the classroom at school. Even though our 13 year old is actively involved in the church, this does not mean that religion is not a part of his older brother's life.

Almost four years ago, their first cousin was killed in an auto accident and I can tell you that on that day our lives changed forever. The death of a 17 year old is never easy. An outgoing Senior in high school, honor band student, show choir participant, and church choir member. Wow, why did this happen? Through this tragedy our family has grown deeper in our faith and it has even had a positive influence in our local church family. He had been an active participant at church, and like most teens, had found a time when he steered away from the church. But, it was through his death that our church has been more accepting to teens and their daily struggles. We, as a society, find it easy to criticize others when things are not going the way we think they should. When tragedy strikes our faith is tested and our ability to share God's love is also tessted. For a church congregation to have the memory of this young man singing in church just a couple months before tragedy struck was a true wake up call.

Not only did this tragedy bring my boys closer to God, but it also brought over a thousand high school students together in one setting to celebrate the life of this admirable teen. He had went on a church mission trip the summer before he died. It was during this trip that he realized that he was making a difference in the lives of others. He commented to his group leader that he was doing something that had meant more to him than he had ever experienced in his lifetime. Wow! Powerful words coming from a teen. With twenty-five teens and adults on this mission trip, they were conquering the dreaded word "religion" by what they were doing. Religion is a part of a teen's life, but we sometimes need to look out of the box to see what role religion is playing in their day to day lives. By taking this step, outside of the box, we are allowing our teens to engage in activities that can make a positive difference in this awesome world we live in. Teens, what are you waiting for? Go after your calling and do what feels right in your heart!

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