Comments on: Why We Are Losing Ground with Young Adults

By: Nadine Monn

Nadine Monn — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:31:59 +0000

Marty,

Thank you so much for this post! I cannot tell you how affirming it was to read it.

This is something I have been begging various levels of my own denomination to understand since I was in high school myself. Sadly, at 30, I no longer do so with the “majority” church population. On a positive note, I do find more receptivity when discussing the topic with the smaller intercultural ministries sub-group within our whole body.

Blessings and peace to you in Christ!

By: Dennis Peay

Dennis Peay — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:11:45 +0000

This should be required reading and too bad we cannot require its practice. I watch quality young leaders walk away from the institution for places where they can connect and live out the life we were a part of nurturing. I used to hear they go away only to come back. Now since we let go of young adult and campus ministry they are seeking out those places and instead of coming back - THEY ARE STAYING or MOVING ON. When did the mainline become the church of the settled?

By: David Hutchins

David Hutchins — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:35:49 +0000

Marty,
I have heard you speak about this before. I agree completely. Mainline churches need to wake up and listen. I have served a church that did not even know the names of any youth that was not in their family.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have you written anything else on the subject?

By: Rev. Mary Frances McClure

Rev. Mary Frances McClure — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:28:24 +0000

Bravo! You speak the truth, Marty. This quote got me: “Young adults just will not tolerate watered down, unexplained ritual or poor quality, half-hearted worship. This generation desires to experience God in wholly different ways than did their parents – with their hearts as well as their heads.”

The millennial or mosaic generation is wholly different from my GenX one. They literally think differently. They are more right brained…they are more savvy…they demand experiences… And what are we doing in the mainline denominations to meet their needs? NOTHING! We are trapped in doing things the way we have always done them and afraid of what the “power brokers” will say if we develop worship to be more experiential or use edgy music…if we work to deepen spirituality…if let people under the age of 50 serve in our church as lay readers or make decisions in our churches…and youth group can’t just be playtime anymore…

Yet, if we don’t do this, a whole generation will be lost and we will disobey the command to go and make disciples of all the world. How can we find a bridge between what was and what will be?

By: Erin Rasberry

Erin Rasberry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:50:42 +0000

This is so true. I especially agree with you on bridging the disconnect between high school and college. So many youth are lost in between.

By: Matthew Mitchell

Matthew Mitchell — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:32:21 +0000

I agree. Young people do not want to be a part of a condemning, ritualistic, passionless church, where members are more concerned about how they look than the condition of there hearts or who they are. I recently cut my hair into a Mohawk, and it was hilarious yet sad some of the responses I received from some of the members at the church I was attending. Jesus came so that we could be freed from the law, and I think that if being free involves a Mohawk or tattoo… then Jesus lead on.

Thanks for speaking the truth.

By: Jason Goroncy

Jason Goroncy — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:37:26 +0000

Marty,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic. Some serious conversation needs to take place on this question; and a church stuck in a Christendom mindset seems either reluctant, uncaring, blind or simply unable to have.

By: Alan Swartz

Alan Swartz — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:58:58 +0000

Great article Marty! Thanks for writing it - it certainly makes we want to give some serious reflection to the way we do or don’t do or poor do ministry with and for young adults in our community. Again. thanks.

By: Adam Seate

Adam Seate — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:18:10 +0000

Marty, you’re right on point with this one. More church leaders need to read something like this and be told why it is we are losing so many of the younger generation, and what we can do to feed their growth. Great article!