Thoughts on being a member of God’s household

This summer, from July 18-22, the high school youth of Salem have a wonderful opportunity to join with 38,000 other Christian teenagers in New Orleans for the ELCA National Youth Gathering. The theme this year is “Citizens with the Saints,” based on Ephesians 2:14-20. That text reads:

“Jesus is our peace. In his life and death on the cross, Jesus broke down the dividing walls so that we are no longer strangers and outsiders, but we are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God. The foundation of God’s house was built of apostles and prophets, and Jesus, the cornerstone, holds it all together.”

In the recently released National Study on Youth and Religion, researchers have found that about 80% of teenagers today classify themselves as Christians. Initially this seems like great news, but as researchers dug deeper they found that just because a teenager may self-define as a Christian, it does not necessarily mean that they feel deeply connected to God and to the Christian community. In other words, they believe in God, but they do not necessarily know what that means for them and their lives.

As caring Christian adults, it is our duty and our joy to be able to guide young people towards discovering a faith that becomes a part of their identity and orientation to the world. We get to help them realize what it means to not only believe in God, but to find themselves as members of God’s household, to dwell in God’s very presence—to realize that they are not strangers or outsiders, but citizens of God’s kingdom.

We still have a few spots left for this great event. I want to encourage students in 8th grade and up to consider making this week of service, growth, and fun a part of their summer. It will be worth it! And for the rest who are young at heart, please continue to pray for and support our youth as they get ready!

God’s Peace be with you,

Pastor Sarah