Not if you listen to these high schoolers, who answered the reNEWS call for essays on "The Best Thing My Church Has Done for Me." No, it's not the razzle-dazzle they want. They seek relationships--friends of all ages who love them and pray for them and lead them to Jesus Christ. They seek meaning and hope and significance in life, a place to serve, a place to grow.

There isn't just one best thing that my church has done; there are many things. First, my youth group is such an awesome place to go and hangout and experience incredible fellowship and worship. I've learned so much from my peers as well as the adults. When I've had a bad week, I can always find comfort at church or Bible study. That brings me to the first best thing: They have taught me so much. I grew up at First Pres and have learned enough to last me a lifetime. It's awesome the amount of wisdom that the adults have in my church. It's also awesome to see how they rely on God every day. I try to model myself after them so I can be more like him.

Second, my church has taught me compassion. The last two Easter breaks, I've gone to Mexico on mission trips. Just working with the Mexican people taught me humbleness and not to take what I have for granted. Also, volunteering around Fresno has given me a compassionate heart.

Third and most important, my church has prayed for me and loved me. That is probably at the top of my "best list." It's such a comfort to know that someone is always praying for me.

-- Anna Jen, 16, First Presbyterian Church, Fresno, California (775 members)

My church has done the very best thing in the world for me. Through spending a lot of time teaching me and strenuous amounts of listening to me, they have brought me to Christ.

I must admit that when my father started going to New Hope Presbyterian Church in 1998, I really didn't want to go. But once he talked my mom into going, I had no choice. So after spending the first few weeks mad and not listening to what our preacher had to say, I finally gave in and started to listen. At first, it all kind of confused me, but when I really paid attention, I began to understand more of what was being said and what was going on.

My father is now an elder, and over the past five years we have become very involved with our church. It makes me feel very good inside, especially when I think about how my family and I were before we were brought to Christ. For this I would like to say, "Thank you."

-- Courtney N. Gray, 17, New Hope Presbyterian Church, Franklin, Tennessee (29 members)

My church has provided me with a number of great things, but by far the best has been a church family. When I attend church I feel close to God. I can express myself at church through speech and music. Pretty much any instrument imaginable is used in our church musical presentations. I play trumpet in the brass choir and guitar for the youth group on Wednesday nights. While I may not be the best musician, they always make me feel like I am. On youth weekend I gave part of the sermon along with two other high schoolers. My congregation listened attentively to what I had to say and praised me beyond what I deserved. My church family cares about the individual. Our pastors are always willing to listen and give advice, and so are fellow members. People who are not staff or experts on religion but who care about me want to do anything in their power to make me feel better about whatever situation I might be in.

The thing that touches me the most about my church is how I have been surrounded by love--the love of God, the love of the church staff, and the love of fellow members. The best thing my church has done for me is to provide a big, strong Christian family.

-- Lizzie Gibson, 16, Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, Houston Texas (1,450 members)

The best thing my church has done for me is to give their Christian love to everyone in our community. My church sent me to NaCoMe, the Tennessee Presbyterian Conference Center. They organized a youth group for Bethesda and Hope Presbyterian Churches. When I was made a member, they gave me a Bible with my name on it. When my uncle passed away, they were there for my family and me.

Most important, though, was that they were there for me when my friends were in an accident. My best friend, her older sister, and another girl had a wreck on Bethesda Arno Road. My friend's older sister died immediately, their friend was in a coma, and I didn't even know if my friend would make it. I prayed, and everyone in the church was there to comfort me. They prayed for the girls when they were in intensive care and recovery, and they prayed for me. In my time of need, my church showed me God was there. My best friend lived, and so did the other girl. Things haven't been the same to me since, but I have closure now that I am beginning to understand.

Two weeks later my same best friend's mother died of terminal cancer, and my church was there for me again. I didn't understand this, but the church reminded me that God is in control, and that if you are ever in need, he is there.

The members of my church have shown me what Christian love is. I know the Holy Spirit is still alive in my church. The thing that stands out most to me, even though there aren't many members, is their wonderful love. They have God's love in their hearts.

-- Heather M. Hall, 16, Bethesda Church of Thompson Station, Thompson Station, Tennessee (78 members)

Before Advent [church], I knew nothing about faith, hope, or dedicating my life to God. I attended church as a little girl, could recite the Lord's Prayer, thought I knew how to pray, and had my Bible read to me at least weekly. I never understood what this "preacher-guy" was talking about, and I spent my in-church hours dozing off or zoning out. After this "preacher-guy" left, so did we.

During the time we didn't attend church, we slept in and used that common excuse, "We can't find the right church." As I was beginning the fifth grade, we received an invitation through the mail to "Try Advent." Instantly I knew I was home! Through the Advent church family, God has spun me around and showed me what Christianity truly is. Here, I have found an undying love for Christ. Through that, I have experienced hilarious moments; shed tears of joy, sorrow, and love for God; made everlasting friendships; and learned what dedicating my life to God is all about. Advent was the vessel God used to pierce my heart so deeply that it will never become an absent hole again.

-- Sara Rudolph, 15, Advent Presbyterian Church, Cordova, Tennessee (1,225 members)

I haven't always been a church goer. I've always believed in God, but I never praised him. Last summer, though, everything changed. I learned "If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). That scripture changed my life for good. Without those twenty-five words, who knows if I'd be this far along in my faith. Dundee church has taught me so much, but what I take most from it is the feeling of unity, of family. It's a great feeling to be a part of something like that. Without Dundee and the leaders there, I know I wouldn't be the Christian I am today.

-- Erica Yates, 16, Dundee Presbyterian Church, Omaha, Nebraska (1,500 members)

My church is awesome! Whenever I need someone to talk to, there is always somebody at church that will help me in any way possible. My church family is one big happy family, and I love and care for everyone who is a part of it. I hope to remain a part of my church for the rest of my life. I hope to touch young lives the way the people at my church do for me.