Film rejecting modern youth ministry stirs debate. “Divided” is a documentary that seeks to expose age-segregated youth ministry as unbiblical. The film is available online through September.

“Divided,” a newly released documentary that criticizes modern youth ministry as unbiblical, has sparked wide debate among Christians.

“Divided” is a documentary that seeks to expose age-segregated youth ministry as unbiblical. The film is available online through September.

While some have praised the film for tackling what many see as a crisis – youths leaving the church – others say Christians would be better off ignoring it.

“This is a movie that heavily promotes a very obvious agenda,” said Tim Challies, pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Toronto, Ontario. “It’s a destructive message wrapped in a poorly-made documentary.”

Produced by the National Center for Family Integrated Churches, the film follows Philip Leclerc who visits churches and youth events throughout the country to find out why young people are walking away from faith and whether age-segregated worship is what the Scripture prescribes.

As a Christian who was pulled out of youth group by his father and who saw his friends leave the faith, Leclerc questions the approach many churches take today in reaching youths.

“Are youth pastors more qualified to train children than parents?” he asks. “Is it possible that the church has promised truth but delivered foolishness instead?”

The filmmaker and the pastors interviewed argue that there is no biblical support for youth ministry and age-segregated worship. The segregation seen in churches is largely a practice adopted from pagan principles and parents end up being usurped by youth pastors when it comes to discipling their children. Moreover, there is more emphasis on entertainment and less on actually teaching the Bible in youth programs, the film also presents.

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