Young People and the Church

Abstract

"IN an article which appeared in the January Fraternal entitled "The Child and the Church", W. M. S. West appealed for a serious consideration of the place of " Children within the Church ". This article appeals for a similar consideration to be given to the place of " Young People within the Church ". Important as is the task of nurturing children from earliest years and making them feel welcome in the family of the church, it is equally important that young people, when they come later to desire baptism and membership, should be made to feel welcome in the thought and activities of church life. Unfortunately some older members, with more set ideas and ways, don't always find it easy to accept younger members with less experience, who are bursting with new ideas and eager to try out new methods; neither do some young people, who have been given the right hand of fellowship and wel. comed into the family of the church, easily find a place amongst those who, by reason of greater experience and longer membership, have church matters largely in their hands"