A Generation At Risk

By Rev. Bill Trench

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might bless them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.  Mark 10:13-16

A century ago Walter Rauschenbusch wrote an impassioned plea to pastors and leaders to embrace the Social Gospel, to combat the poverty of cities and rural areas, to stand up against the exploitation of workers, support the rights of women, promote universal education, and join in building the Kingdom of God. If churches want to save souls, he argued, then they must also save bodies.

Young people, he said, already understand this. They are already committed. And if the churches do not join with young people in this struggle, then they will lose a whole generation.

Read the whole story at Thinking Faith

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Rev. Bill Trench is the Senior Pastor at East Greenwich United Methodist Church where “the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.” (The last part is actually true.) At EGUMC we really believe in the United Methodist slogan of “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.” To read additional blogs by this author click here.

Image Flickr Isaac Torrontera