By Priscilla Rost

* People are leaving the church * Millenial exodus(30 and younger) * Historical pattern * Exodus followed by return * They’re not returning * What’s wrong?

* Among millennials who opt out of church * 35% cite the church’s irrelevancy, hypocrisy and the moral failures of its leaders * 20% say God is missing in church * 10% say that legitimate doubt is prohibited * 7 out of 10 millenials who dropped out of church did NOT have a close friendship with an adult and nearly 9 out of 10 never had a mentor * And yet they desire community, enjoy serving and are optimistic about the future * Despite a 13% unemployment rate

* Sporadic attendance is the new norm * Competing interests * Technology * Online sermons on the rise * Online giving platforms * Religious “pluralism” * Hispanic migration from Catholicism to Evangelical Christianity * Leadership crisis

* Women * Singles * Young people * The marriage “myth”

* Who/what do we isolate from? * Why do we isolate? * The effect of isolation

* “…and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:34- 35)

* Catholics: help everyone * Mormons: help each other * Evangelicals: help themselves * As in “God helps those who help themselves” (Selfhelpigus 4:13)

* “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” (1 Chronicles 4:10)

* “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matthew 6:7-8) * “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17) * “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2- 4, NKJV) * “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

* Tolerating differences * Seek context * Accept that we don’t have all the answers * ENGAGE others in a REAL way * Be honest! * Admit your faults * Apologize……………. * Eat the sushi

Ephesians 4: 1-6 New International Version (NIV) Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ 4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.