Why Are We Losing Young People?
 

Something went wrong when a generation of young people left the church. But they didn’t just leave, they left broken, bruised, offended, bitter, and have grown distant from the church. And now willingly and openly ridicule and mock their humble beginnings in ignorance. Those that had callings on their lives now walkout their days with dreams unfulfilled. Young people that were swindled out of their inheritance by the evil manipulation of the devil, or chased out from a pulpit manned by an arrogant dictatorial demanding preacher or the hypocrisies of double standards of those in authority and in their homes.

I weep for the unnecessary and or willful loss. Who will grieve with me? Better yet, who will pray with me that they will return?-Joel Barnaby

Re: Why Are We Losing Young People?
 

Not everyone ridicules and mocks. They're the more visible and noticable ones. Most just get on with their lives. Some post on AFF with witty and/or annoying banter, but it's not ridicule or mocking. Is it? :heeheehee

Re: Why Are We Losing Young People?
 

I don't know the answer to that, Timmy. But, do we want them to return to the same system they left in the first place?

Re: Why Are We Losing Young People?
 

Miss C, I have seen time after time, where some of the young people are not accepted into "cliques" that are totally spoken against from the pulpit...(but then are some pastors/churches who dont really have a love for their youth) they are shunned for different reasons and it is sad. Once my daughter (who got the Holy Ghost when she was 11 at Youth Camp under Jeff Arnold, and had been baptised since 8 by Rev Keith Clark) she had fell out after she married a person who was not in church and of a different faith...well, she came back on and off because she said she felt God pulling her back...many people had been praying for her, so she and this man decided to seperate for reasons of abuse and other things. We knew God was answering a prayer...but when she came back, she had on pants, in which I was just
so happy she was coming back I never spoke of her clothes, I was going to allow God to deal with her and believed she would come back to how she was raised in time. She attended 2 times and went to the alter, God was dealing heavily with her. My heart was happy. After a moving service and wonderful alter service, she went to the bathroom where a few of the young girls caught her and "lit into her" about her clothes and told her she would never be a part of them or anyone....long story made short....that was the last time she came. ;*-( She is bitter to this day and we pray for her daily. She still asks her dad to pray for her when she is sick :-) so I know she still feels something. I ask for your prayers for her and my son of whom has the Holy Ghost and has been baptised since a very young age. They both are the 4th generation Apotolic. I have placed my son "on the alter" as he is so far out of control it is heart breaking. Asking anyone who reads this for your prayers for my children. I pray for all the young people in every church.....for they are the future coming church!

Re: Why Are We Losing Young People?
 

This sad on so many fronts! When will we learn that rules and traditions of man don't save or even bring us closer to God but in fact they enslave us and separates us from the Grace of God. I pray that your children find a church that preaches Christ and Him crucified for that is the Gospel.

Reading your post I am reminded again why I left!

Re: Why Are We Losing Young People?
 

I will be praying for you and your children, GC. The message may be right, but how it's preached may not always be led by the Spirit. Because kids and young people sometimes see the "image" only. And others see "through" it to the spirit behind it. Sadly that is where bitterness enters. This also happens to adults, and is passed down to their children, and so it spreads. :(

Re: Why Are We Losing Young People?
 

:thumbsup

Re: Why Are We Losing Young People?
 

How right you are. I have let my children know after they knew of the TPC tragady that there was anger at first, but after much prayer, I am no longer angry, maybe hurt but allowing God to heal the hurt while praying for everyone who was and is a part of this tragady, including TB.

Re: Why Are We Losing Young People?
 

Thank you very much! :thumbsup

Re: Why Are We Losing Young People?
 

Sincere young men were mentored in churches that preached the gospel, Spirit and Truth. Unfortunately sometimes tacked on to that truth were the traditions and attitudes of man. Along came a generation that questioned the additions and let it be known that they didn't see it the way it was handed down to them. And here we are today, recovering from the backlash. Some have softened their approach. Some have broken away to rebuild. Some have fallen by the wayside their spirits wounded and broken. Some are just hardened and have walked away. Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!