Why Are We Losing Young People?

[PastorTLArt]

Originally Posted by Evenuntodeath

I'll just say this. The upc and other holiness churches are losing young people because they fail to follow the most basic commandments given to us by god, and have replaced them with their man made standards.
What are the two basic commandments? Love the lord jesus christ with all your heart, and love thy neighbor as thyself. And what do we have? We have people who worry about looking holy but cant even show basic human decency. Everyone in the church has to put up with your bad attitude. You speak in tongues but you cant even speak to the person next to you. You havent talked to brother or sister so and so in 3 years because they said something you didnt like. You hold grudges. You have never welcomed any new person coming in the chuch. Yet you worry about if your skirt is long enough?! Loooool.

And this is the inheritance we have given young people. We have a generation of young people who worry about looking good for church, but dont even obey gods basic commandments. Some young people have seen the writing on the wall, and have left the church.

Another thing: if the upc and other churches dont stop their misogynistic views towards women, they will start to loose more young females. Many young women are going to college, holding good paying jobs, yet the church wants to continue to force them into roles of women from the 1950's. The general mistrust/dislike towards women as if every women who wants to look beautiful is somehow on a covert mission to seduce men of god has to stop.

I agree with you 100%!!

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

A lot has been shared so far. I would SURMISE that most have formed opinions from personal experiences. But I am not sure that any of these things... division, standards et al is the crux of the matter.

Non Penetcostal and Non Standards churches face the same issues of their youth leaving...

Fact is, our schools and society are quickly entering a post Christian state... It's just that the youth have more courage to express it.

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Jason, I hear you, and I know duplicitous living and hypocrisy are never good...

However, I don't think the retention rates are any better for churches that don't preach against beards, TV or short sleeves... nor do they have lower divorce rates.

Hoovie, you're right that its not just pentecostals, the real problem is that not enough young people are actually being saved and entering into a real knowing/relationship with Jesus.

There are different symptoms amongst different groups, but the problem is the same, youth are not actually being saved. Amongst the baptist type groups youth are told to accept JEsus as their savior, or to make a confession of faith, but they are not taught to truly repent, to forsake their sin, and trust fully in Jesus Christ. They are taught a watered down Christinaity.

In the more conservative groups, such as pentecostalism, youth are taught that serving God is about lining up. So while on the surface they are much different from their more liberal christian counterparts, they also are robbed of a real relationship with Jesus Christ because they are not being told the full truth.

Thus both groups have problems keeping youth, not because one is too loose or the other is too strict, but because neither are really telling youth how to really know Jesus. And while the responsibility falls on the elders and leaders, the youth are not completely innocent, because they would rather give all their time to video games, facebook/twitter, and MTV, than open a Bible and allow God's Word to speak to them. They can figure out all the nuances of technology, invent things every time you turn around, and master complex things which require critical thinking, but they claim they can't understand the Bible? Hogwash.

One more problem is that the adults don't know Jesus, which is why these seeker type churches are exploding in America. Don't preach against sin, don't talk about the blood. Advertise and market the church, and make Jesus seem cool. All that does is manifest a lack of spiritual hunger and a cheap cotton candy substitiue for the real meat of the Word. But if the parents are flocking to that kind of Christianity, then why would the youth want a Christianity which demands they completely surrender to Christ?

I was a troubled youth, not raised in church. My parents divorced when I was 5 (they weren't in church ever) and the next 13 years were hell. But when I finally began to read the Bible, on my own, God drew me to Himself, and I understood that to follow Jesus I had to completely surrender my life to Him. He changed me, and here I am today, some 13 years later, not because some youth group, not because someone scared me, but because I experienced the life changing power of Jesus Christ, and now I can never be the same again!

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

Hoovie, you're right that its not just pentecostals, the real problem is that not enough young people are actually being saved and entering into a real knowing/relationship with Jesus.

There are different symptoms amongst different groups, but the problem is the same, youth are not actually being saved. Amongst the baptist type groups youth are told to accept JEsus as their savior, or to make a confession of faith, but they are not taught to truly repent, to forsake their sin, and trust fully in Jesus Christ. They are taught a watered down Christinaity.

In the more conservative groups, such as pentecostalism, youth are taught that serving God is about lining up. So while on the surface they are much different from their more liberal christian counterparts, they also are robbed of a real relationship with Jesus Christ because they are not being told the full truth.

Thus both groups have problems keeping youth, not because one is too loose or the other is too strict, but because neither are really telling youth how to really know Jesus. And while the responsibility falls on the elders and leaders, the youth are not completely innocent, because they would rather give all their time to video games, facebook/twitter, and MTV, than open a Bible and allow God's Word to speak to them. They can figure out all the nuances of technology, invent things every time you turn around, and master complex things which require critical thinking, but they claim they can't understand the Bible? Hogwash.

One more problem is that the adults don't know Jesus, which is why these seeker type churches are exploding in America. Don't preach against sin, don't talk about the blood. Advertise and market the church, and make Jesus seem cool. All that does is manifest a lack of spiritual hunger and a cheap cotton candy substitiue for the real meat of the Word. But if the parents are flocking to that kind of Christianity, then why would the youth want a Christianity which demands they completely surrender to Christ?

I was a troubled youth, not raised in church. My parents divorced when I was 5 (they weren't in church ever) and the next 13 years were hell. But when I finally began to read the Bible, on my own, God drew me to Himself, and I understood that to follow Jesus I had to completely surrender my life to Him. He changed me, and here I am today, some 13 years later, not because some youth group, not because someone scared me, but because I experienced the life changing power of Jesus Christ, and now I can never be the same again!

Well put.

I think we have long glamorized evangelism and large numbers of people getting "saved". In the early church, proclaiming salvation in Christ often meant being persecuted - literally. I believe in the near future it will again no longer be "kewl" to be Christian.

Truly knowing Jesus is essential above all.
Secondly, I think as the USA fully embraces secularism and truly becomes POST Christian, the church will by default become more counter-cultural and withdraw from more of it's social systems - including schools in order to protect their young.

[Hoovie]

My primary point was not to place blame, but just acknowledge that this is not a thing unique to Pentecostals or conservative "standards" churches. I think the stats are something like 85% of today's Christian youth abandon the faith by college age... A "used to be Christian" mentality is normal in today's public schools and universities. To be post-Christian is comfortable, and in many classrooms the majority identifies with either a declining Christianity, or an abandoned Christianity.

Preserving a Christian worldview in the formative years, and keeping godly parents as the primary influence is of utmost importance.

It's not a cure-all, but it certainly is one of the reasons we homeschool.

[trialedbyfire]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

My primary point was not to place blame, but just acknowledge that this is not a thing unique to Pentecostals or conservative "standards" churches. I think the stats are something like 85% of today's Christian youth abandon the faith by college age... A "used to be Christian" mentality is normal in today's public schools and universities. To be post-Christian is comfortable, and in many classrooms the majority identifies with either a declining Christianity, or an abandoned Christianity.

Preserving a Christian worldview in the formative years, and keeping godly parents as the primary influence is of utmost importance.

It's not a cure-all, but it certainly is one of the reasons we homeschool.

Well what's the solution?

I'm sorry if I misunderstood your point but it seemed like what you were saying was something along the lines of this flight from Christianity is natural and to be expected.

I mentioned society is a major reason why many of youth are being distracted, but the problem is I feel as though there's something we're not doing right to combat the distractions. The question is what?

[ApostolicBelle]

also, like you said, they leave broken... I was raised in church and was always shunned by the "holier than thou" people, who were also the majority of the church because I live in a SMALL town. And also a lot of people are, well, hypocrites. I didn't want to be in a church with those people who spoke God and spoke the bible but didn't live it. I was tired of it. But when we listen to what God's telling us, he really doeslead us to the place he says we belong in. That's the only reason I'm in church today, because I stuck with HIM

[MawMaw]

Originally Posted by ApostolicBelle

also, like you said, they leave broken... I was raised in church and was always shunned by the "holier than thou" people, who were also the majority of the church because I live in a SMALL town. And also a lot of people are, well, hypocrites. I didn't want to be in a church with those people who spoke God and spoke the bible but didn't live it. I was tired of it. But when we listen to what God's telling us, he really doeslead us to the place he says we belong in. That's the only reason I'm in church today, because I stuck with HIM

Amen, little sis! You keep your eyes on Jesus
and He will continue to lead you!

[Jason B]

They are losing the younger generation, because there are two predominent influences calling the young people in these times. One is compromise. Embrace wordliness under the guise of enlightened Christianity. The other is a sincere call for truth, which neccesitates a return to the Word of God. Not the Word of God plus tradition, the Word of God sans tradition. This young generation isn't just going to put up with someone shoving unbiblical absolutes down our throats. If you can't defend your doctrines against scrutiny, then why would we want to embrace that mickey mouse theology and look like fools when a real Bible student takes us to task for our poor exegesis, misunderstanding of context and cultural norms, and overall poor hermenutic?

The younger genreation wants to declare truth to a genereation that doesn't belive there is such a thing. But there is such a thing! There is a truth that is more powerful, more dynamic, than all the philosphies of man put together. A life changing truth, that is more than a philosphy, but is the very power of God himself. That truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ, to preach Christ crucified and resurrected, and the implications that has for everyone whether they accept the offer of grace or reject it.

We can declare the truth of the gospel in the person and power of Christ. We can stand in the face of the most bitter persecution and preach the gospel and defend the truthfulness thereof. We don't have to create an "environment of worship" or have a group of people who will amen our every point, even when those points are absolutely unbibilical and just buzz words and recycled phrases. We must have a truth that can stand up to scrutiny, and the harshest persecution. We can declare the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the power of a living Christ to save souls and change lives even in 2013. What we can't declare and stand up to scrutiny, and has no power to change lives, are the misguided traditions of men. I can't declare in a prison (where everyone wears short sleeved jump suits) that if you don't wear long sleeves your're going to hell, or if you have a beard you're going to hell, or if you watch TV you're going to hell. I can't declare to an intellectual man that a person ought not to have a TV, but there is nothing wrong with the internet. Telling sinners that they can't wear shorts doesn't deliver from sin. Oh, but they say "no, no, no, you don't tell them that at first." OK, right. You hook them, and don't concern yourself with the minutia of standards, but then after a year or so, you throw it on them as heaven/hell issues. I can't do that. Not only is it deceitful, but more importantly it is unbiblical. I preach repentance from sin. Fornication, adultery, homosexuality, theft, lying, greed, pride, etc. If wearing shorts, trimming hair, and watching TV are sins, then they need to be repented of at the time of conversion, not much later on using the bait and switch method. They have added so much to the gospel that it becomes drowned out by the noise, and becomes unrecognizable, yet when we raise a red flag to ask some questions we are shouted down and sat down. We are called rebellious, compromisers, charismatics, and warned that our families will be torn apart. Divorces will happen, kids will end up on drugs, our ministries will be destroyed, God will write ICHABOD on our lives, we'll believe a strong delusion and be damned, and finally be forever separated from God, burning in hell......all because we don't bow the knee to their standards. And then folks say "why is the younger generation leaving?"

[trialedbyfire]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

They are losing the younger generation, because there are two predominent influences calling the young people in these times. One is compromise. Embrace wordliness under the guise of enlightened Christianity. The other is a sincere call for truth, which neceesitates a return to the Word of God. Not the Word of God plus tradition, the Word of God sans tradition. This young generation isn't just going to put up with someone shoving unbiblical absolutes down our throats. If you can't defend your doctrines against scrutiny, then why would we want to embrace that mickey mouse theology and look like fools when a real Bible student takes us to task for our poor exegesis, misunderstanding of cotnext and cultural norms, and overall poor hermenutic?

The younger genreation wants to declare truth to a genereation that doesn't belive there is such a thing. But there is such a thing! There is a truth that is more powerful, more dynamic, than all the philosphies of man put together. A life changing truth, that is more than a philosphy, but is the very power of God himself. That truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ, to preach Christ crucifed and resurrected, and the implications that has for everyone whther they accept the offer of grace or reject it.

We can declare the truth of the gospel in the person and power of Christ. We can stand in the face of the most bitter persecution and preach the gospel and defend the truthfulness thereof. We don't have to create an "environment of worship" or have a group of people who will amen our every point, even when those points are absolutely unbibilical and just buzz words and recycled phrases. We must have a truth that can stand up to scrutiny, and the harshest persecution. We can declare the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the power of a living Christ to save souls and change lives even in 2013. What we can't declare and stand up to scrutiny, and has no power to change lives, are the misguided traditions of men. I can't declare in a prison (where everyone wears short sleeved jump suits) that if you don't wear long sleeves your're going to hell, or if you have a beard you're going to hell, or if you watch TV you're going to hell. I can't declare to an intellectual man that a person ought not to have a TV, but there is nothing wrong with the internet. Telling sinners that they can't wear shorts doesn't deliver from sin. Oh, but they say "no, no, no, you don't tell them that at first." OK, right. You hook them, and don't concern yourself with the minutia of standards, but then after a year or so, you throw it on them as heaven/hell issues. I can't do that. Not only is it deceitful, but more importantly it is unbiblical. I preach repentance from sin. Fornication, adultery, homosexuality, theft, lying, greed, pride, etc. If wearing shorts, trimming hair, and watching TV are sins, then they need to be repented of at the time of conversion, not much later on using the bait and switch method. They have added so much to the gospel that it becomes drowned out by the noise, and becomes unrecognizable, yet when we raise a red flag to ask some questions we are shouted down and sat down. We are called rebellious, compromisers, charismatics, and warned that our families will be torn apart. Divorces will happen, kids will end up on drugs, our ministries will be destroyed, God will write ICHABOD on our lives, we'll believe a strong delusion and be damned, and finally be forever separated forever from God, burning in hell......all because we don't bow the knee to their standards. And then folks say "why is the younger generation leaving?"

You hit the nail on the head.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

They are losing the younger generation, because there are two predominent influences calling the young people in these times. One is compromise. Embrace wordliness under the guise of enlightened Christianity. The other is a sincere call for truth, which neccesitates a return to the Word of God. Not the Word of God plus tradition, the Word of God sans tradition. This young generation isn't just going to put up with someone shoving unbiblical absolutes down our throats. If you can't defend your doctrines against scrutiny, then why would we want to embrace that mickey mouse theology and look like fools when a real Bible student takes us to task for our poor exegesis, misunderstanding of context and cultural norms, and overall poor hermenutic?

The younger genreation wants to declare truth to a genereation that doesn't belive there is such a thing. But there is such a thing! There is a truth that is more powerful, more dynamic, than all the philosphies of man put together. A life changing truth, that is more than a philosphy, but is the very power of God himself. That truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ, to preach Christ crucified and resurrected, and the implications that has for everyone whether they accept the offer of grace or reject it.

We can declare the truth of the gospel in the person and power of Christ. We can stand in the face of the most bitter persecution and preach the gospel and defend the truthfulness thereof. We don't have to create an "environment of worship" or have a group of people who will amen our every point, even when those points are absolutely unbibilical and just buzz words and recycled phrases. We must have a truth that can stand up to scrutiny, and the harshest persecution. We can declare the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the power of a living Christ to save souls and change lives even in 2013. What we can't declare and stand up to scrutiny, and has no power to change lives, are the misguided traditions of men. I can't declare in a prison (where everyone wears short sleeved jump suits) that if you don't wear long sleeves your're going to hell, or if you have a beard you're going to hell, or if you watch TV you're going to hell. I can't declare to an intellectual man that a person ought not to have a TV, but there is nothing wrong with the internet. Telling sinners that they can't wear shorts doesn't deliver from sin. Oh, but they say "no, no, no, you don't tell them that at first." OK, right. You hook them, and don't concern yourself with the minutia of standards, but then after a year or so, you throw it on them as heaven/hell issues. I can't do that. Not only is it deceitful, but more importantly it is unbiblical. I preach repentance from sin. Fornication, adultery, homosexuality, theft, lying, greed, pride, etc. If wearing shorts, trimming hair, and watching TV are sins, then they need to be repented of at the time of conversion, not much later on using the bait and switch method. They have added so much to the gospel that it becomes drowned out by the noise, and becomes unrecognizable, yet when we raise a red flag to ask some questions we are shouted down and sat down. We are called rebellious, compromisers, charismatics, and warned that our families will be torn apart. Divorces will happen, kids will end up on drugs, our ministries will be destroyed, God will write ICHABOD on our lives, we'll believe a strong delusion and be damned, and finally be forever separated from God, burning in hell......all because we don't bow the knee to their standards. And then folks say "why is the younger generation leaving?"