Interesting! There certainly has been a swing away from ‘youth group’ to wanting to bring youth in Church. Family ministry is certainly becoming a more accepted norm! But I wonder if it (this Church’s response) is an overreaction? Is killing youth ministry as we ‘have always done it’ the right answer to the question of, how do we get lasting disciples for Christ, in Church? The reason behind this particular church’s change of youth ministry is because they realised that the youth are the Church, so let’s get them in there! The format/methods of youth ministry are changing, and fast. Would be interested in hearing what others think of this idea!
The homogeneous unit principle has somewhat had its day, particularly when the premise for gathering groups of similar age or background together is that the Gospel is not sufficient to bind disparate individuals together.
One of the wonderful outworkings of the gospel in the church is that it binds generations together.
The issue should be what sort of gatherings does the Bible show Christians having.
These in themselves are attractive to outsiders when Spirit-filled grace is part of them.
Working out what sort of group activities are attractive to outsiders and patterning church gatherings on these is self-defeating.
Watch this space, I guess.
Search up the links to the Coral Ridge Presbyterian/Tullian Tchividjian change in corporate worship to see some more material on this perspective.
mgpcpastor's blog 
Interesting! There certainly has been a swing away from ‘youth group’ to wanting to bring youth in Church. Family ministry is certainly becoming a more accepted norm! But I wonder if it (this Church’s response) is an overreaction? Is killing youth ministry as we ‘have always done it’ the right answer to the question of, how do we get lasting disciples for Christ, in Church? The reason behind this particular church’s change of youth ministry is because they realised that the youth are the Church, so let’s get them in there! The format/methods of youth ministry are changing, and fast. Would be interested in hearing what others think of this idea!
The homogeneous unit principle has somewhat had its day, particularly when the premise for gathering groups of similar age or background together is that the Gospel is not sufficient to bind disparate individuals together.
One of the wonderful outworkings of the gospel in the church is that it binds generations together.
The issue should be what sort of gatherings does the Bible show Christians having.
These in themselves are attractive to outsiders when Spirit-filled grace is part of them.
Working out what sort of group activities are attractive to outsiders and patterning church gatherings on these is self-defeating.
Watch this space, I guess.
Search up the links to the Coral Ridge Presbyterian/Tullian Tchividjian change in corporate worship to see some more material on this perspective.
Thanks Gary, very helpful!