Leaving The Church – Jason Hirsch
October 24, 2009 by jason hirsch
Filed under Christianity, Church, Epic Church, Jesus, Leadership, Life, Mission
Just finished writing out my message for tomorrow. 4th week of the “Champion” series. Wrestling down I Samuel 14 & the story of Jonathan. My main thought is: “Champions Influence the young not to………???” Can’t give it away yet!!!:)
As I have sat for months now, and helped lead www.EpicChurchlv.org student ministries, I’ve come to the conclusion that we have a generation of students that have huge potential, and I believe if they come to Jesus, are equipped and empowered to influence positively the world in which they live, we’ll see some of the greatest feats in history by Gen Xers, Gen Y’s, and Millenials. I believe an EpicGeneration is going to pave the way for the return of Christ, but they need our help. Why?
In my research, studies have been done revealing that 70% of 18-22 year old’s are leaving the church at alarming rates. This pattern has been happening for some time now, and I would like to know why? I have a theory I’m going to preach tomorrow, but I’m curious what you think? What has your research or studies revealed? How can the church (the hope of the world), continue to lose generations at 18, at alarming rates & not take time to assess why? Why are our 18-22 olds leaving the church? You tell me!!!
I have a few ideas. Young people are sick of hearing ‘elders’ tell them what to believe and then they don’t do it themselves.
Hypathetically, a group of ‘elders’ vote a pastor in for life and then they all leave the church for elsewhere, leaving the young people to clean up the mess. Then those same people lecture them about life and spirituality. No one wants to hear it at that point.
How about elsers treating their wives like crap and then telling others what their supposed to be acting like.
How about the divorce rate being nearly equal in the church to the secular world.
How about couples who’ve been married for 25 years deciding to get divorced after their ‘kids are riased’ not realizing that they never were raising them in the right way anyway and that they are soldifying that by their divorcing.
Also, when the church looks and acts too much like the world, then what’s the difference? Why stay in the church?
How about churches not preaching about sin anymore? And then other churches being so legalistic that God can’t even come thru the door if He were to show up.
Parents and churches also have failed to realize what Jesus was talking about in Mark 10 when he told the dsciples to let the children come unto Him, because unless you have faith like a child, you will not inherit the kingdom of God. Children are not viewed as equal participants in Gods work on earth. But they in fact can be equipped much more easily than adults because they don’t have the hangups, walls, and baggage. Having them play an active role in the Kingdom of God is key.
Train them while they are young in the way they should go, so that when they are older, they will not turn from it. I am guessing it’s really not much more complicated than that. Stat’s say that unless a person commits their life to Jesus before age 12, it becomes increasing difficult to do so.
Just a few thoughts.
Bartman,
Great insight! I think you really nailed it when you hit on equipping children because you’re right, it’s much easier to build & disciple them when they’re young. I pray God will use you to influence generations to come, and that you’ll see the fruit of your labor, by watching a mass entrance back to Jesus Christ, through the local church. Lead on!!!
Jason