Jay Strack: Churches not baptizing teens

INDIANAPOLIS (FBW)—Southern Baptists must commit to raising up a new generation of leaders if they are to remain relevant in a time of unprecedented change, Jay Strack told messengers to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention June 15.

Strack, president and founder of Student Leadership University in Orlando, said the key to riding a wave of transition is to remain true to the Scriptures. He delivered a theme interpretation of “Kingdom” on the first day of the two day meeting at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

“Fortunately, the Word of God is more up to date than USA Today, and it’s more current than Fox News,” Strack said. “God’s Word is very, very timely when it comes to change and transition.”

Churches aren’t baptizing enough teenagers, Strack said, and pastors must make a concerted effort to reach more youth. This is especially important because 57 percent of the world’s population is under 19 years of age.

“Play time is over,” Strack said. “We have got to reach this next generation for the glory of God.”

Strack said pastors should encourage their youth pastors and leaders and must stay actively involved in youth ministry themselves.

Citing the biblical example of the nation of Israel transitioning from the leadership of Moses to that of Joshua, Strack said successfully navigating a time of change involves staying focused on the King and being courageous.

A failure to meet the changing needs of today’s youth will result in Christians becoming irrelevant, he said.

“If you don’t like change, and if you have a problem with change, then how do you think we’re going to like being irrelevant? We must change,” Strack said. “We have to have roots, but we have to have wings. We can no longer settle. God has called us to soar.”