I have worked with youth ministries for the last 12 years. I understand the numbers and it bothers me because the teenage years are formative.
But thinking Christ is 'cool' is not what leads to salvation. The message of Christ is important, not the way it is delivered as long as it is clear that salvation rests on TRUSTING Christ alone for salvation, not just thinking "Jesus is just alright with me...". We must make the message clear.
I'm in total agreement with you. We had a group of 400 kids. I can't tell you how many kids were brought into the minstry by going to a concert event with us...then they got involved, made friends, and were exposed to the Gospel through teaching, small groups etc...
My husband is a product of such minstry! Someone took him to a Petra concert when he was a teen. He views that as a turning point in his life...not because of the music, but because he was exposed to Christianity through something to which he related easily (rock music) and it made him more open to hearing more.
We're on the same side, I think.
Hmmm... on one hand, I agree completely with that, and on the other hand I could see someone saying "This Jesus dude seems pretty hip." and then they look closer and see the message of Hope and Salvation that He gives us all, and thus they get the message, too.
I think, in all honesty, for many people either way would work.