A Weed In The Church

I recently read "A Weed In The Church", by Scott T. Brown. As someone who's been in youth ministry or involved with it for several years, this book took me by surprise. I highly recommend everyone who reads this blog to pick up a copy, you won't regret it. I will say, however that I at first was shocked by the message this book presented. But, as I went back to the Bible and prayed about it. The points in this book all make sense. So, before you knock it, try it.
Here are my thoughts (yep I posted this on Facebook).

•  This book was recommended for me by a neighbor, and mentor. I reluctantly told her I would read it. I must say that this book has drastically changed my understanding and opinion of age-segregation in Christian churches.

It's a very lengthy book, so I won't give you an outline here (I wrote one out, and if you would like to see it, please contact me)
Below, are some quotes from Brown, and tad-bits from me. :)
The first thing you read when you open this book is a quote by Louis Gaussen in 1840 who was born in Geneva, and later became a pastor.

• "Theology gives the alarm at the first and so often decisive moment when the language of religion among a people begins to decline from the truth and when error, like a rising weed, sprouts and grows into a plant. It then gives timely warning and people hasten to root it out."

This book is a "Biblical examination of modern youth ministry in the churches of Jesus Christ and particularly its emphasis on age segregation," and includes "an appeal to the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture for all areas of ministry to youth and provides a Biblical case for comprehensive age integration."
In reading this book, Brown asks the reader to "offer [y]our hearts to the Lord and consult Scripture alone"
Brown states that he was himself a "poster child for modern youth ministry techniques."
He states that over time, he began to realize that "we were losing the of our church, they were worldly, and immature"
In the years following his "revelation" he was fueled by a "return to a cardinal tenet of the Protestant faith, Sola Scriptura (this argues that God's Word alone is sufficient for faith and practice)
Brown then realized that "if I began with Scripture alone, I would have no reason for age segregated Christianity." and "if all I had was the Bible, it would be difficult (if not impossible) to establish the credibility of age segregation.
Brown recognizes something that indeed has been a problem. "Biblical illiteracy is rampant" I completely agree. Youth can be a part of a youth group, without having (or even wanting) to look at, study, or memorize God's Word.
The following are some quotes that I found, and I hope you enjoy. This book was really hard for me to "get into" but I finally did, and am so glad. After many days of praying and studying God's Word on the subjects within the book, I agree with a majority of what he says within the text. While everyone is different, I believe it is a book that should be read with an open heart, and a mind that is focused on discerning the truth.

• "This craving for something better and cooler than God has made youth ministry look like a rock concert, coffee bar, or club rather than the holy people of God. This makeover has twisted the church into a mangled caricature of her real nature as a bride, family, body, pillar, and building."
• "Age segregation has replaced the older mentoring the younger. Church programs have displaced family discipleship."
• "We define biblical youth ministry as the God-ordained methods of youth discipleship that arise from and conform to the Word of God; that promote age-integrated worship, instruction, and fellowship; that blend the diverse ages of God's people in one congregation; that utilize and depend upon parental authority; and that advocate relationships with wise members of the church, which will make youth wise."

The book also touches on other very controversial issues, but I just wanted to share what I learned through this book. (1 Corinthians 13:11) (The homeschooling movement, etc.)
In this analysis of the book, I mean no disrespect, please let me know what you're thoughts are. I look forward to it!