By their own admission, the hellions are loose in Alberta’s Badlands and are targeting local churches in a spree of vandalism that began last fall.

"Week after week, teens, much like myself, are so outrageously bored that we have nothing to do but drink and destroy pointless things," claimed an anonymous e-mail sent to the editor of The Valley Times in early December.

"What has this town done for our generation?" the writer asked. "It angers me that the town would blow its budget on the large hunk of metal standing so proud and tall," a reference to the World’s Largest Dinosaur that towers above the north end of the city of Drumheller. "Instead of doing something, anything, to amuse or entertain teenagers, they waste over $1 million on a tourist trap!"

The e-mail’s author indicated the vandalism would likely continue until bored teens were given something to do.

Sure enough, just days after two youths appeared in court in late February for desecrating houses of worship in the village of Carbon, Drumheller’s Parkdale Baptist Church was again victimized in a rash of destruction that included even the historic Little Church in the world-famous Dinosaur Valley.

Intruders have broken into Parkdale twice since Christmas and smashed or spray-painted virtually everything they’ve come across. Graffiti such as "West Side" and "In the hood now" was left behind along with symbols and signature-style markings usually associated with gang activity in large metropolitan areas.

"They really ripped the place apart the first time," reported Pastor Rod Aikens following the second incident. "This time, they discharged fire extinguishers, hurled a television and cassette recorder down the stairs and either smashed or spray-painted other office equipment.

"We’re a small congregation with only fourteen regular members so these acts of pure vandalism have really set us back," he added, explaining that electronic goods valued at around $3,000 were stolen, as was the congregation’s large Canadian flag.

A bored generation?

Like the editor of The Valley Times, I initially felt intermittent surges of disbelief and anger by the contents of the e-mail simply signed: "A Bored Generation."

"I am really tired of hearing that teenagers are bored or have nothing to do in this valley," penned Isabell Fooks. "I was a teenager myself in this town and I never had the opportunity to be bored. There is schoolwork to study, sports to participate in, plenty of trails to walk on, lots of stores to shop in. There is the movie theatre...

"If none of these things interest teenagers," the editor continued, "then how about volunteering at the hospital, reading to children at the library, or helping a community club or organization?"

Surprisingly, Fooks didn’t bother referring to such ubiquitous amusements as the personal computer, Play Station, X-Box or Nintendo that most teens in this neck of the woods have access to.

Mind you, reasonable arguments could be advanced that it is precisely because teens have unrestricted access to the various gadgets of modern technology that they are increasingly bored and inclined to violence.

Astounded as I am by the claim that modern teens are bored, perhaps the most alarming message in the communiqué from the anonymous e-mail writer is their conclusion that the church belongs in the classification of "pointless things."

It makes me wonder what experiences with "church people," or lack thereof, led the writer to that verdict?

Such reflection eventually brought to mind the privilege I had more than 17 years of ministry to work with four marvelously gifted youth pastors-Doug, Brian, Shane and Bryan-each of them tirelessly committed to doing their very best to help young people grasp the point of the church-Jesus.

In the course of penning these thoughts, I e-mailed each of them to again thank them for their work on behalf of Canadian teens, Christ and His church.

Perhaps rather than merely clucking your tongue in disgust over the hellions in Drumheller, you might take a few moments to express encouragement to those you know who are doing their utmost to demonstrate to the teens you care about that a meaningful relationship with Christ sure helps take the boredom out of life.