Many factors play into this, so one can't poke a finger at any one thing and claim to identify the cause. But there are several factors that keep recurring.
- God hasn't yet resourced us with someone (couple) with a true passion for teen. By passion, I don't mean the desire to start something "for the kids" because there isn't anything. I mean a gut-driven , can't-avoid-it-even-when-I-sleep desire to get to know kids at a deep level, and let them into one's pathetically imperfect life so they can see the adventure we call following Jesus Christ. That kind of passion.
- Senior high kids are so over scheduled. One can blame the schools and organizations for scheduling all those practices and games, but parents too share some of the blame for not making their kids select one or two activities. Instead, they've allowed their kids to run the show. I confess I'm tired of hearing "It's their time now."
- Junior high kids must rely on parents--or older siblings--for transportation. If the car doesn't go to church, the kids don't either.
Besides a very bad choice of evening, the model of youth meeting where you schedule games, make the kids sit and listen to a short talk, then split up to discuss stuff, then pray, then eat, apparently doesn't attract kids anymore.
What we're seeing work starts with building relationships with the kids--and this next part is important--on their turf, be it school, the soccer field, whatever. Once the kids know you care for them as a person, where they are, and not as a conquest or target, they may let you care for them in other, more important ways. As one leader recently observed, "We have to earn the right to listen. When a kids comes up to you and initiates the conversation, then and only then do you have that right." And it's working!
Disclaimer: the leader I mentioned runs a faith-based ministry that works with kids--ready for this--in the public high school!
This turns a lot of my own youth ministry experience on its head.