PAULA ISAKSON FAITH FAMILY REUNION REUNITING FAMILIES TOGETHER IN FAITH

STATISTICS ON KIDS WHO LEAVE THE CHURCH 59% of young adults 18– 29 years leave church 40 – 50% students in youth group struggle after graduation 40 – 50% students in youth group struggle after graduation Church attendance drops in the teen years Church attendance drops in the teen years These findings can make you feel hopeless! Used by permission from Brett Kunkle – “How many Youth are leaving the Church” – Conversant Life February 24, 2009

STATISTICAL REPORT FROM LCMS CONGREGATIONS 20 Percent more congregations completed their statistical reports. They reported record losses of baptized members – 46,728 souls. In the last 5 years, the LCMS has lost an average of 37,000 baptized members per year. What is going on with on with our churches? Used by permission: Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Director US Ministries LHM.org, Perspectives on the Latest LCMS Statistical Report, January – February 2013, P 8.

USED BY PERMISSION FROM DAVID KINNAMAN AND THE BARNA GROUP David Kinnaman – “You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving the Church” – YouTube Video Presentation from YouTube by David Kinnaman and the Barna Group:

What Went Wrong? Did I Do Enough? 1 TABOO SUBJECT 2 DON’T TALK ABOUT IT DON’T EMBARRASS 3 ALL ALONE GUILTSHAME

Reach Out To Parents Whose Kids Have Left The Church CREATE A COMMUNITY Faith Family Reunion Is An “Initiative” Designed To:

Connect Parents With Other Parents Going Through Same Thing CREATE A COMMUNITY

Open Up Communication To Create Understanding Between Kids and Parents BRIDGE THE GAP

Share Experiences, Testimonies And Encouraging Words FAITH BUILDERS

Receive encouragement to deal with a seemingly hopeless situation. 1 BRINGS OUT SUBJECT IN THE OPEN 2 CAN SHOW US WHAT TO DO TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE 3 SHOW US WE ARE NOT ALONE Benefits of Speaking About It

Gain understanding on some of the reasons youth leave the church Ideas on how to approach your children or a hurting parent Leave with confidence to address the subject with family, friends and others in a similar situation Open up conversation and make connections with individuals in this meeting GOALS FOR TODAY

Why I Left The Church TESTIMONY

MY STORY

Why Kids Leave Some Common Answers From Faith Family Reunion - 1 Did not understand what was going on, church just did not make sense. Church seemed like a lot of singing, standing up, sitting down. Everyone that attends church is a hypocrite. I have done so many bad things in my life, how can God even love me? The sermons do not make sense, they are just full of judgment. I always feel guilt when I go to church, so I quit going. I do not connect with the pastor or the people in the church, they are just not friendly people.

Why Kids Leave Some Common Answers From Faith Family Reunion - 2 I just quit going and slept in on Sundays, I fell out of the habit. Church seems just like a place to socialize, I can meet with my friends and socialize so why do I need church? Going to church cuts into my free time, I have things to do and weekends are my time to catch up. Going to church is for the older people. I am afraid I will make a mistake in my talking about the Bible or may not understand it correctly

Questions – Let’s Share GROUP INTERACTION

Speak up and share with others Sharing helps you realize that you are not alone Sharing can help make the issues easier to deal with If you are not ready that is ok and just listen Share Your Story

Question: ARE YOU A PARENT WHOSE CHILDREN HAVE LEFT THE CHURCH? IF NOT, DO YOU KNOW OF PARENTS WHOSE KIDS HAVE LEFT THE CHURCH? GROUP INTERACTION

Question: WHY IS THE SUBJECT OF OUR KIDS LEAVING THE CHURCH SUCH A HARD SUBJECT TO SPEAK ABOUT? GROUP INTERACTION

Question: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FEELINGS YOU EXPERIENCE? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON FEELINGS THAT PARENTS EXPERIENCE IN THIS SITUATION? GROUP INTERACTION

Question: DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHY YOUR KIDS LEFT THE CHURCH? IF NOT, WHY HAVEN’T YOU ASKED THEM? GROUP INTERACTION

Comments: Don’t assume that your kids left their faith and the church because of you. Each child has a different and unique story on why they left. GROUP INTERACTION

Question: Do You Feel Comfortable To Share? GROUP INTERACTION

WHAT KEEPS KIDS IN CHURCH? 1. They are Converted 2. They have been trained not entertained 3. Their parents preached the gospel to them * See full article in your handout Used with permission from Jon Nielson – 3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don’t Leave the Church – Church Leaders in Conversant Life Full article:

TOP 10 REASONS TO RETURN TO THE LUTHERAN CHURCH (LCMS) Notes from Faith n.com/about/10- reasons-to-come-back- to-church/ n.com/about/10- reasons-to-come-back- to-church/ See list with description on hand out Family Reunion

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PAULA ISAKSON FAITH FAMILY REUNION REUNITING FAMILIES TOGETHER IN FAITH