Is Your Child a "Fake Christian?"

CNN recently ran a story on youth and Christianity (Author: "More teens becoming 'fake' Christians" by John Blake)

(CNN) -- If you're the parent of a Christian teenager, Kenda Creasy Dean has this warning:

Your child is following a "mutant" form of Christianity, and you may be responsible.

Dean says more American teenagers are embracing what she calls "moralistic therapeutic deism." Translation: It's a watered-down faith that portrays God as a "divine therapist" whose chief goal is to boost people's self-esteem.

Another reason why, preaching theological sermons, attending the Lord's Supper, and strong Confirmation Classes are the most important things in your church.
As a Lutheran pastor, I've always thought that confirmation was one of my most important job descriptions.

Story Highlights "More teens becoming fake Christians"

• More teenagers embracing watered-down Christianity, author argues in new book
• Teenagers see God as "divine therapist," author says
• Teenager: "They don't want to make sacrifices"
• Who's responsible for inspiring teens? Parents and pastors are, author says 

In confirmation, the church hands down the faith to the next generation. Every member of your church must go through confirmation one way or another. It's the pastors big chance to influence a child's entire life.

Unfortunately, confirmation has been relegated to a simplistic chore, teaching junior high kids to like Jesus based upon fun. (Fun is an important part of confirmation in my book, but that is not why our children will have their faith in Christ's teaching strengthened.)

For adults, it has been watered down to a few classes to attend, usually for the sake of not wanting to turn them away with education requirements.

I guess we're back to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Does teaching really go along with baptizing? Do we "keep our youth" by dumbing them down? What then are we keeping them in when we help them with a fun Jessus who can "relate" to them.