A recent article in USA Today states that “70% of surveyed Protestants stopped attending by age 23.” It went on to say that “Seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30 – both evangelical and mainline – who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23, according to a survey by LifeWay Research. And 34% of those said they had not returned, even sporadically, by age 30.
“This is sobering news that the church needs to change the way it does ministry,” says Ed Stetzer, director of Nashville-based LifeWay Research. “It seems the teen years are like a free trial on a product. By 18, when it’s their choice whether to buy in to church life, many don’t feel engaged and welcome,” says associate director Scott McConnell.
This doesn’t surprise me at all. The church as an entity is so out of touch today with where people live. People wear invisible masks to church that say “everything is peachy in my life.” Many church mission statements could read “fake it until you make it.” Here’s the deal – young people see the truth. They see us at home. They see us for who we really are and can’t help but wonder about the disconnect between church behavior and reality. RELIGION! It makes me sick. No wonder our kids leave.
I don’t blame young people; I blame the church – the leadership of the church. I believe many leaders want change, but they are held hostage by committees, boards, influential members, and even their denominational influences. Can’t these people see the demographic of their churches growing older and older? Over 3000 churches in the United States closed last year alone! It is time for leaders to stand up and lead.
I know that God has Fellowship right here, right now, to make a difference. I will blog about this some more tomorrow…give you some of the reasons young people sited for leaving. Remember this, we as a church must be real. Leave your mask at home Sunday. Better yet, get rid of your mask altogether. It’s time for us all to “man-up” and be real. Life stinks sometimes. I don’t have it all together and either do you. Many days I am a seriously crappy Christ Follower – but I do know this – He is changing me. I’ll never forget the first time I visited a large church in Chicago and the heard two of the pastors speak. I was amazed at how honest they were about their own lives. I looked around to see if anyone else was as shocked as I was? The listeners all seemed good. No pastoral mystique here, just raw transparency. I was drawn to them that day. I was drawn to Christ. I guess you could say that it changed the trajectory of my life and empowered me to be who I am today.
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4 comments:
I've told Michelle before that the trancparency in herself, and the honesty, and reality in yourself, and the leadership team is the best..unbeatable. The first time we were welcomed into the Fellowship family, (bethel rd. days) has been unforgetable. Anyway, I remember a little while back when we physically took the masks off, ever since then God has been working to change me...its been hard work, but making that move is whats helped me to be comfortable with myself. Taking off my own mask has not only helped me grow within Fellowship, but in my everyday relationship with Christ. In the end it all counts with God, mask or no mask along with those who see us at home, He always sees us. Being real with my church family is helping me grow closer with other real Christ followers.
Way to get rid of the mask Margie! You are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of your creator. Keep building bridges.
I remember when I first started working with the youth four years ago and going in with the mentality of making them like me, even if I wasn't myself. Well, after working with the Student Pastor Ryan for many years, he has made me realize that we need to be real with the teens. They will see right through those facades! That's really what they want is someone who is REAL with them.
It's so amazing that John points out things about himself in these blogs because for the 2nd time in the past few weeks, he brings up a point that drew Heather and I to this church. He is transparent. John's not afraid to give real life examples in his own life that makes him appear human flesh and not plastic standing on an eight foot pedestal. All this to say we were impressed with that immediately. We need that....and young people need that. With John and Ryan both practicing this philosophy and knowing that it exists and the problem is a reality, our students and young people have the examples to follow. Former Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham said it best (in a different context however), "Let me be me." Let that be our prayer....
Thanks Jeff. Nothing like quotes from famous Eagle players to drive your point home!
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