Youth groups, at least the ones I've had experience with, resemble a cult far too much. A charismatic leader, no talk of the rules or doctrines until you're more tightly ingrained in the group, a cadre of "insiders" that know more about the agenda than the rest do... youth groups, looking back on my experience in them, are indoctrination camps.

@GodlessLiberal@xanga - Interesting description, and I have to agree at least a little.
I always hated youth group because everyone ran wild and there was no structure at all.  It was just like school only without any rules or classes.  And when I became a youth leader I found out why there were no rules: anyone who tried to establish any sort of order or teach anything got pulled into the pastor's office and told to stop.  It was ridiculous. 
I have no idea what the purpose of youth group was at the churches I've been to, but I agree, it seemed more like a hook to just get kids inside the doors and keep them there....regardless of whether they knew what they were getting into or not.  Ridiculous.

In response to the OP: I agree that it helps to have some sort of connection to a smaller group of people within the church.  The only time I felt like I really belonged at my parents church was when I attended the women's Bible study.  I was the youngest attendee by at least 20-25 years but I learned a lot and felt that they cared about me.  I was also in a discipleship group at my best friend's church in which I felt I belonged.  Unfortunately both disbanded and I've yet to find a church to call home.

I belong because I'm always helping with something in the office and I've been in their tiny little school since it opened. I'm graduating from it this year. Sadness. I'll miss them. I run the youth group concession stand too. I have my own spot on Sunday. Far left second row last chair to the right! lol

guys, I enjoyed reading your writings and comments. its good to have this kind of place to contribute some opinions and thoughts.

I am sure that every one goes to church to find something, get something or lose some thing or give some thing.. Fellowship is fellow -ship, in my language (Nepali) fellowship means Sangati  (सँगती) that means journeying together. that is very literal translation. and when we journey together.. offcourse.. church is a place where believers should journey together with Jesus Christ. but some times it really happens to every member, " do I really belong here?" now, I go to church not seeking my gain but for the contribution for the spiritual growth of my fellow ships. and while I do that.. I get encouraged, nurtured, and cared.. but first I inniciate all these.

didn't Jesus told us that if we are wanting something from someone else, we ought to do that first to that person? yah.. that means journeying together.

my church is getting bigger and there are problems in churches, many challenges for leaders to face and solve. but I have lots of oppertunity for giving something to my fellow ships, encouragements, support and care for them while I do that.. I am so much blessed, some times even more. so I always feel belong to that church and always go there. I live in another side of the town where my church is in another side of the town. there are so many churches and I can go any churches on the way to worship God. no difference in worshiping God. but I really miss my church's fellow ships = fellowship.

I had times that I thought.. do I really want to continue with this group anymore.. but later on.. when I was seperated with them for a while.. then I realized that how much they mean to me. as soon as I got back to the town after finishing some of my field project.. I enjoyed the continuing journey with my fellowship.

I'll be honest and admit that I don't feel connected with the body of Christ well in my church. I run a couple things there, but I don't depend on the church services for my relationship with God (which isn't a good thing, since it's there for edification). InterVarsity Christian Fellowship has largely replaced the role of my local church in my spiritual growth. That's not a very good thing either, because it's not designed for that. =T

@Ancient_Scribe@xanga - Me, too. When church and my church family turned very sour on me and my husband, the only thing that kept us going to any church at all was that we went to one where there was liturgy. The sermons stunk, the people were cold, but there were the sanctus, the pater noster, the prayers and the eucharist. At least we were getting fed spiritually at some mysterious level.

But it wasn't until we found a warm church with people we could connect to that we did any more than attend the worship and run out the door when it was over.