EDGE

Why Our Youth Are Leaving The Church...

And What To Do About It

There they go...over 50% before age 20. It is hard to admit, but our youth are leaving the church; by droves. The impact has been very telling on the Seventh-day Adventist church membership in North America where the average age is 52+. One thousand churches don’t have enough children to conduct Sabbath Schools. Disturbing as this percentage is, it does not seem to stir church members to action. This state of complacency and self-centeredness manifested by church members toward our youth is predicted in Revelation chapter 3 when it calls our time in earth’s history Laodicea. The complacency of church members provides an open door for Satan to do his work.

We are told, “When the mind is youthful and vigorous and susceptible of rapid development, there is great temptation to be ambitious for self, to serve self. If worldly schemes are successful, there is an inclination to continue in a line that deadens conscience, and prevents a correct estimate as to what constitutes real excellence of character. When circumstances favor this development, growth will be seen in a direction prohibited by the word of God. In this formative period of their children’s life, the responsibility of parents is very great. It should be their study to surround the youth with right influences, influences that will give them correct views of life and its true success. Instead of this, how many parents make it their first object to secure for their children worldly prosperity.” A Call to Stand Apart p. 22 

In the book entitled “Generation Me” Jean Twenge, Ph.D. writes, “Today’s young people are experiencing the society (Generation Me) right now, and they speak the language of the self as their native tongue. The individual has always come first, and feeling good about yourself has always been a primary virtue.” She also said “The society that molds you when you are young stays with you the rest of your life.” Church members must take decided action to counteract the shaping of our youth by “Generation Me”. Great Controversy page 601 states, “We are living in the most solemn period of this world's history. The destiny of earth's teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our own future well-being and also the salvation of other souls (our children) depend upon the course which we now pursue. We have not a moment to lose.”

 

The Bible is clear about how a child should be raised and it is in direct conflict with the shaping of today’s society. Moses in Deuteronomy 6:4-7 says, “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” One can readily recognize the command that Jesus gave to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul and your neighbor as yourself”.

 

This process, Deuteronomy says, must take place all throughout the day, every day, to achieve its purpose. It must first be modeled by parents while being reinforced through morning and evening worships and during discussions throughout the day as opportunity presents itself. God views the home as an on-going evangelistic series lasting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Child Guidance supports this on page 193, “Too much importance cannot be placed on the early training of children. The lessons that the child learns during the first seven years of life have more to do with forming his character than all that it learns in future years”.

The effectiveness of parenting in the homes of our church members has been greatly compromised by 50% of marriages ending in divorce.

This calls for increased commitment on the part of teachers, pastors and church members to help parents raise the children of the church for the Lord and His work. It is comforting to know that, outside of the home, the most proven and successful evangelistic series the Seventh-day Adventist church have been our schools and Pathfinders. These tried and true programs are most effective when parents work cooperatively with them in training of their children for Jesus.

In the Valuegenesis study our children and youth told us that when the three most important environments in their lives, the home, the school and the church, work effectively together there is a 99% likelihood they will develop an intrinsic faith in Jesus. This information gives clear marching orders for all members and entities of the church to find ways of working effectively together for the salvation of our children and youth. The tide can and must be turned. God says in Isaiah 49:25 “I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.” But, God does not do what we as parents, teachers, and church members can do. Desire of Ages page 535 agrees where it says, “What human power can do divine power is not summoned to do. God does not dispense with man’s aid. He strengthens him, cooperating with him as he uses the powers and capabilities given him.” 

 

To assist in this spiritual nurturing process, the Southern Union Education Council is partnering with Kids In Discipleship to provide training for homes, schools and churches and develop ways to effectively work together for the sake of our children. Kids in Discipleship (KID), a ministry of the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church has partnered with the Southern Union Conference Education Council to develop Kid School (KIDS). Kids School is dedicated to equipping parents, educators, and pastors to spiritually nurture their children and youth to have a personal, meaningful, and fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ. 

The principles of Kids School training, when effectively applied, provides a strong foundation on which our children and youth can develop faith in God, a loving relationship with Jesus which can lead to baptism as well as skills for serving. The partnership between the Southern Union Education Council and Kids in Discipleship is being intentionally implemented to promote the God-centered aspect of the Adventist EDGE. 

 

Starting at or even before the sixth grade our children and youth become increasingly dissatisfied with having little or no opportunity for meaningful involvement in “their” church. Youth love to be involved in serving others and thrive in an environment where their talents are appreciated and utilized. 

The Southern Union Education Department has developed a second partnership with ACTS, (Active Community Team Services) to assist in providing meaningful training, mentoring and serving opportunities for youth. ACTS method of training for and involving youth in disaster relief maximizes their capabilities in serving. It is incumbent on all stakeholders groups of the church to intentionally partner together to include and train our youth in all matters relating to the mission, vision and management of the church. Our youth are far too perceptive and intelligent to remain in a church that refuses to acknowledge them as willing and talented contributors to the growth and wellbeing of the church in which they were raised. The notion of keeping youth on the sidelines until they are “card carrying” tithe payers develops frustration and boredom with the “system” and ultimately leads to them to leaving the church.

Through God’s grace the church and all of its stakeholder groups CAN and MUST work effectively together to this end. If we do not or cannot we will have to give an be answer for the result. Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students page 129 tells us, “They (the home, the church and the school) must set before their children an example worthy of imitation. Should they be remiss in this respect, what will they answer if the children entrusted to them stand before the bar of heaven as witnesses to their neglect?” In the eyes of God ALL church members have a collective responsibility to see that the youth of the church are involved NOW. The Bible, Spirit of Prophecy, past experience and our children all speak clearly on this matter. It must be a personal concern for all.

The Adventist EDGE Comprehensive School Improvement Initiative invites all of YOU to do YOUR part to make sure that OUR children and youth develop meaningful relationships with Jesus Christ; and that YOU involve OUR children and youth to become involved in the mission, vision and management of the church. If YOU ask, God WILL show YOU what to do. How many more youth must leave the church before YOU wake up and take action? JESUS IS COMING! PREPARE YOURSELF! PREPARE OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH!

Article written by Jim Ingersoll, Associate Director of Secondary Education, Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.