HATCHER

Religion Columnist

In the early eighties, Pollster

George Gallop surveyed American youth and discovered that they wanted

to go deeper in the places of God through prayer, Bible study, and personal

discipline. However, the church looked to Hollywood, MTV, and Disneyworld

and asked what the youth wanted.

Hollywood said the youth wanted glitzy and pizazz. So, church youth camps

have metaphormized into Las Vegas shows attempting to say that the church

can do as well as the world with the high-tech, awe-inspiring stufflasers

and everything.

MTV said the youth wanted not only to hear their bump and grind music,

but see it as well with all the bumping of body parts. Disneyword said

the youth wanted fun stuff; so, the church often asks, "What would

be fun for our youth?" rather than, "What would be good for

our youth?"

Am I against the church's youth having a fun time? Well, no. Do I resent

that the church's youth today have far more provided for them than my

generation? Well, maybe just a little. In my day, an overnight camping

trip on the Duncan's farm was a big deal. But, I understand and my church

will do everything in our budget to appeal to what's appealing to today's

youth.

But, let's go