Kings of Leon

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

40% still left in the church? Wow, you are the most successful church I've ever heard of.

But I don't think the problem with retention of members in the UPC is any different than other orgs. I have 5 siblings that were raised Catholic. Not a one of them continues in that tradition as adults. One of my brothers is committing a travesty by getting married in a Lutheran church next month.

My best guess from my experience of growing up in the UPC is that only around 10-15% of my friends are still in the UPC. Maybe 40-45% go to church somewhere, but most don't attend church at all!

[Blubayou]

Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway

My best guess from my experience of growing up in the UPC is that only around 10-15% of my friends are still in the UPC. Maybe 40-45% go to church somewhere, but most don't attend church at all!

I agree with this assessment. I think there are a lot of contributing factors to this trend. These are just a few I could list off the top of my head. I do not mean these in a negative way- just stating them.

Questioning long standing standards
Questioning authority figures
Lack of commitment to traditional institutions
Commitment to careers and outside activities
Social connections are met outside the church

[jtork]

Originally Posted by aak1972

I think people my age(36) and younger that have been raised in church have not had thier own experience. All you had to do to is pretend you was prayin jump around a few times scream a little and the evangelist, pastor and parents would leave you alone. Then after church you can get pregnant in the back seat of the pastors sons car.

LOL AAK1972 - everyone was not like you :-)

[aak1972]

Originally Posted by jtork

LOL AAK1972 - everyone was not like you :-)

LOL well you was with me!!!! LOL!!

[jtork]

Originally Posted by aak1972

LOL well you was with me!!!! LOL!!

LOL - in your dreams - I guess I asked for that comeback!

[HeavenlyOne]

Originally Posted by aak1972

They are not all in that church but in an apostolic church somewhere!

40% is still an impressive number. I can count on less than two hands the number of adults I know in the church who were there as children that I grew up with....out of a couple hundred.

[HeavenlyOne]

Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway

My best guess from my experience of growing up in the UPC is that only around 10-15% of my friends are still in the UPC. Maybe 40-45% go to church somewhere, but most don't attend church at all!

I haven't even seen 10%! But I think that's more an accurate number for most while you have the extremes on both sides.

[aak1972]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

40% is still an impressive number. I can count on less than two hands the number of adults I know in the church who were there as children that I grew up with....out of a couple hundred.

I am sorry to hear that I can count 12 that are exactly my age(36) out of mine.

[HeavenlyOne]

Originally Posted by aak1972

I am sorry to hear that I can count 12 that are exactly my age(36) out of mine.

I think that's wonderful. I wish most churches were that way.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by aak1972

I am sorry to hear that I can count 12 that are exactly my age(36) out of mine.

There's no doubt that that has a lot to do with the pastor and the church where you grew up. Some churches and pastors have a much better retention rate than others.

That being said, you are the exception rather than the rule!