Christian Barmitzvah

Too many youths grow up and leave the churches they grew up in because they have no family tie to it. They do not feel they are a part of it. This needs to be changed. What God showed me is as follows:

  1. Have a rite/service that specifically focuses on what their part and role in the church is.
  1. Make it serious and solemn and involves the whole church, like a Sunday morning service.

Style it after the Jewish Barmitzvah but with our Christian style.

What I saw was a young adult, 12-14 years old, dressed up in suit or dress. They were brought before the church and set in a chair. The pastor and youth pastor presented the youth and explained to all present what that youths place is in the church and what the churches responsibility is to that youth. Then the pastors asked the elders to come up and they all laid hands, anointed with oil and prayed over the youth, some had a word for the youth and some prophesied. Then the youth is presented as a learning adult, never again to be considered a youth.

The invocation of the pastor was as follows;

This is xxx xxxx who confesses Jesus the Christ as their Lord and Savior and has been baptized. They have now been brought before this church as a youth who is now to become an adult. They are commended to learn of Jesus and His Word. They have grown up in the nurturing of their parents and now are being presented to the church to continue, with the parents, this nurturing.

They are now to be treated with the respect due and are expected to respect their elders. They are expected to be involved with the church and it’s duties. The church body is expected to teach this individual with all diligence as Jesus would. The learning adult is expected to ask many questions until they understand the Gospel of Jesus the Christ as an adult. When there is discussion in the church they are encouraged to participate and not be put down.

The pastor then asked the youth to express their belief in Jesus the Christ to the church. After the youth makes their statement the pastor charges the youth to be diligent in their pursuit of Jesus, the Truth.

Then the elders are called forward and they are charged to pray over the youth becoming adult and to give a word of knowledge or encouragement or warning. This was done by all elders and pastors laying hands on the youth and the pastor anointing with oil. After the prayer each gives their word to the youth.

After all of this the pastor presents the youth as a learning adult to the church and they are applauded by the church. After the service their is cake and refreshment to give the rest of the church a chance to shake hands with this learning adult and welcome them and give a word also.