Losing Young People Why are we losing our young people? February 15 - PM

The Stats All churches – large / small Of those who attend church in the 9 th grade - - –25% will not attend when in 12 th grade –50% will not be attending while in college –60% will not be attending 5 years after high school graduation

The Question I wrote to some preachers on lists “Why are we losing our young people?” I filled pages with the responses, thoughts, ideas, and views on the subject As I read them (several times) and digested the comments I began to see 4 categories of response

1 – Generation Gap Sociologists have noted differences between generationsSociologists have noted differences between generations Currently there are 4 generational segments of our societyCurrently there are 4 generational segments of our society Each of these has some general trends of thinking and behavior that separate them from othersEach of these has some general trends of thinking and behavior that separate them from others

1 – Generation Gap BuildersBuilders – born before 1946 –65% claim to be Christians –Generous to all who claim a need –Like routine worship, prefer old ways BoomersBoomers – born –35% claim to be Christians –Give to causes – not institutions –Tend to be self-centered

1 – Generation Gap BustersBusters – born –15% claim to be Christians –More focus on material possessions –Look for technology to rescue them BridgersBridgers – born today –4% claim to be Christians –Most are “anchorless” –Lack trust in organizations, institutions –Latchkey kids who raised themselves

1 – Generation Gap Builder and Boomer preachers, teachers, elders –Builder and Boomer preachers, teachers, elders – Are trying to reach Bridger children and instill faith in themAre trying to reach Bridger children and instill faith in them The generation gap is often a gap in communication and relating material to their livesThe generation gap is often a gap in communication and relating material to their lives

2 – Fault of the Church In many churches, Sunday School has become play schoolIn many churches, Sunday School has become play school Children are not “required” to learnChildren are not “required” to learn We are just exposing them to the materialWe are just exposing them to the material Too much emphasis on entertainmentToo much emphasis on entertainment –Little emphasis on faithfulness, worship –Little stress on service, helping others

2 – Fault of the Church Perhaps – they left because they were never convertedPerhaps – they left because they were never converted 1 John 2:19 -1 John 2:19 - They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. Baptized? Yes; Converted? NoBaptized? Yes; Converted? No

2 – Fault of the Church Luke 22: Luke 22: And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Make sure our teens are “converted” and not just baptizedMake sure our teens are “converted” and not just baptized

3 – Fault of Parents Many feel that parents are not doing the training and teachingMany feel that parents are not doing the training and teaching Many parents have the wrong prioritiesMany parents have the wrong priorities –Grades – Sports – Get scholarship –Church – Youth Group – Faith – Service –Faced with choice – play ball or youth retreat –What do you choose?

3 – Fault of Parents Many parents try to make up for the lack of time, training and energyMany parents try to make up for the lack of time, training and energy They give too much material thingsThey give too much material things –Not learn to work – earn –Not appreciate what they have –Not learn the value and use of money

4 – Fault of Teens Many come because their parents “make” themMany come because their parents “make” them Never really interested in spiritual mattersNever really interested in spiritual matters Early faith was in parents, who believed in GodEarly faith was in parents, who believed in God The never developed a faith of their own – a faith that would get them through lifeThe never developed a faith of their own – a faith that would get them through life

Final Note Most teens who leave the church will come back at some point in lifeMost teens who leave the church will come back at some point in life Later – after college – married – children – realize their need for GodLater – after college – married – children – realize their need for God Often they return – battered, bruised, depressed, divorced, discouraged, alcoholic, drugs, financial ruinOften they return – battered, bruised, depressed, divorced, discouraged, alcoholic, drugs, financial ruin Confused, beaten by the worldConfused, beaten by the world

Know WHO you are? IF WE DO NOT KNOW WHO WE AREIF WE DO NOT KNOW WHO WE ARE WE CANNOT BECOME WHO WE WANT TO BEWE CANNOT BECOME WHO WE WANT TO BE WE WILL END UP BECOMING WHO WE THINK WE AREWE WILL END UP BECOMING WHO WE THINK WE ARE ARE YOU WHO YOU WANT TO BECOME?ARE YOU WHO YOU WANT TO BECOME?