a youthful church

I am sick of youth ministry being the red-headed subordinate step-child to the real adult church ministry of our modern,aging congregations. When youth ministry is a subculture of the Christian ed. comittee and afforded an annual "youth Sunday" appearance and a small budget for "activities", the church fails to empower, equip, and encourage the leadership of people under the age of forty. Most youth ministry is done outside of the congregation in our synod; in LYO events. Again, youth are discipled and equipped at these events, but not so much into a daily, weekly rhythm of life in congregations. Many return from youth events with spiritual power and find congregations unwilling to release them into ministry and leadership.
A generation of Americans chose to keep their children under their authority by creating longer dependency in a demographic called "young adulthood". Young adults are not full adults, see. Not capable of the management-style leadership of their savvy parents.I get tired of my elders sitting around a room criticizing this next generation, not realizing that I am in the room--boldly leading a church that is largely being stifled by an unyielding generation of adults.
So, I met with Jay Eckman. He believes, as do I, that it is time to build a church of youthful leaders. There are plenty of faithful adult disciples under the age of forty who are ready for authentic Christian community that embraces the mysteries of God, the stewardship of all creation, and the cruciform mission of suffering love for the sick, poor, isolated, marginalized, oppressed, and hungry neigbors. I wonder if, as we connect various conversations that are occurring around us, a new church community might emerge? What might a church look like whose leaders and followers are all under the age of forty? What moght a church look like whose worship, learning, and service is conducted by those same young adults who are currently disconnected from their parent's or grandparents church? A church that embraces a DNA of spirit-led innovation, cross-centered love of neighbor, and a deep commitment to God's Word, Holy Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. I wonder if God is calling us to be a new kind of church with a new way of life together. We shall see.