Centrifuge is an SBC-sponsored and run week-long youth camp that goes on at various locations throughout the summer. I have heard stories about Centrifuge and about all kinds of dubious teaching that goes on there. My one experience at Centrifuge came during a spring break camp when I worked as a youth intern at a church here in Kentucky. The experience was a good one (especially in light of what passed for youth ministry at that church… but that’s another post. Actually, maybe it ties in because that youth pastor “cut his teeth” working in Centrifuge camps for several years.)
Anyway, in this year’s teaching material, produced by Lifeway, we have a prime example of the kind of “evangelism” that is killing American evangelicalism. Students are encouraged to get on the thrill ride Jesus offers them, but there seems to be little mention of sin, repentance, the cross, the resurrection…. you know, the Gospel. Its pretty appalling.
The really sad thing is that many kids really crave stout teaching. The kids we worked with at the aforementioned church expressed sincere interest in being taught. They can get entertainment in a hundred other venues, most of which will be far better than the entertainment at an SBC camp. We don’t need teaching that aims to be “cool” (come on – there’s not much worse than a 30-40 something trying to be cool to connect with teens), but teaching that will cut to the heart of the matter and challenge them.
And we wonder why so many students who claim to be Christians don’t live like it and/or drop out of the faith in college…