First, let me say that the whole trend of trying to be relevant by changing semantics is just getting so boring. Christian vs. Christ-follower. Church vs. Fellowship. We bicker over nomenclature while the world slips further and further into sin.

But I don't think that's your point here...

I totally get your sentiment and in many ways I share it. We've moved from relationship to religion. But I hate the thought of giving up the name Christian. It's similar to how some churches have taken "church" out of their name because they don't want to scare away people (as if those people who drive to that building on a Sunday morning with plans to sing songs and study the Bible wouldn't realize it is a church. oh man! they really fooled them!).

Let me offer this push-back to your idea of not wanting to be labeled a Christian. If we start/continue the practice of dropping names/labels just because a vocal majority (or minority) have tainted the world's perception of that title then pretty soon we're gonna run out of labels to drop. Instead, let's wear the name Christian as a badge of honor and lets be the ones who strive to define for the world what it means to be a Christian. It's interesting...the first "Christians" didn't called themselves "Christians" it says that they "were called Christians". People saw who they were and how they lived and naturally said, "these people are Christ-followers...Christians." That's a title I want to carry!

I'm with ya. I think you're right in that we need to help people have a clear understanding of what's going on. There is too much stereotyping and assuming. There is a military base right next to where we stay and when I tell people that I assume it will comfort them but so many make comments about the government being corrupt and a lot of that is fed from misconceptions and unfair rumors.
I think we lay things out for parents and give them a clear picture of what's going on and if a parent pulls their kid, we've offer to talk and pray with them but if they are still stuck on pulling their kid, we have to support them.
I have a few people here that want me to take my teens to a mission we work with in Haiti but until there is some real change in the conditions there, I just can't do it. But we have a family or two that want to go to Haiti and take their kids and I applaud them a overwhelmingly support them.
So, I agree with you but I say let's not be too quick to lynch the parents that want to pull their kids. I'm praying for wisdom and safety for you guys.

My youth group is leaving for Mexico in just a few days (I'm not going since my wife is 38 weeks prego!) and this is an issue that came up last year and this year. When I talked to the missions organization we are working with they had a similar response as your post. I totally get your sentiment and I think it's great we have such fire and zeal for God and his work but here's my deal: I am asking these parents to put there trust in me...that I will make wise decisions and that I will do all I can to protect their children and I just think we are treading on a fine line when we ask parents to just get over their insecurities and just trust God. There is a big difference between a mature person (mature in their faith and mature socially) making a decision to go into a dangerous situation and a teenager getting hyped up by adults who tell them "if you really trust in God then you won't care what kind of danger you face." Besides, if a group of teens don't go to Mexico and don't build a few homes I don't think "the gates of Hades will overcome it". Proverbs 19 tells us that it's not good to have zeal without knowledge. So, I would say, cool your jets and help calm parents nerves.

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Hey man. Great thoughts. I really can relate to #5. I've always been a "do-it-yourself" kind of guy and so often things suffer because of that. I think it's just one more reminder from God that we were made for community.