北米のブラザレンの問題点を指摘した手紙のオリジナル（4）

前回の英文の続きです。

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３. PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE

In relation to ministry, it seems assemblies are more geared to older Christians than younger ones. For example, why do we always invite preachers to speak on the same things - the local assembly, the tabernacle, the temple, etc? I am chock full of notes on those things, I really don't need to hear about the tabernacle for the tenth time! Why do we not invite someone like the man who spoke at the conference, (??), who can get onto the level of young people and challenge them in areas of life that actually relate to them? (??) took up Bible characters - the life of Peter, the life of David, Ruth, and so on, and brought out practical things that the young people could take home with them and say, yes, this is how I will live my life, and this is why! What's the benefit of teaching doctrine when we have young people who can't say no to drugs??

Ok, that’s maybe a bit of an exaggeration, so let’s say worldly music, worldly clothes, inappropriate physical behaviour, etc. What is the benefit of teaching head covering when our young people don’t even understand the truth of Lordship in their lives? (After all, that is the underlying truth behind the head covering). What is the point of teaching young people the deep truths of Scripture when they can't even manage to establish a simple daily reading, praying, and devotional life with the Lord? If we aren't growing in the Lord, those doctrines will just go in one ear and out the other. If a young person hasn’t fostered a love for Christ or been encouraged in her daily walk with Christ, then why on earth would she wear a head covering to a church other than the Hall?

See my point? We constantly put the cart before the horse. And I am not saying we stop teaching doctrine, for that is not the answer. I simply mean that our diet right now is severely imbalanced, and the needs of the flock are not all being met. We need food at all levels, and right now only the most mature are being fed. Our brethren choose to bury their heads in the sand about it and then wonder why we're losing our young people?? But then most elders in the assemblies today are on average 60+ yrs of age, so is it any wonder they have no understanding of young people today and that as a result the majority of people in assemblies are also 60+? We talk about wanting a future for the assemblies and being concerned about losing our young people, but inaction on the part of the brethren leads me to believe they don't care quite enough to do anything about it.