One Perspective of the Mass Hemorrhaging of Young Adults Leaving the Church

As a Gen. X’er, quickly approaching 40, and having served the local church, with passion, for 16 years, I found Dr. Ed Stetzer’s research for LifeWay, in regards to the hemorrhaging of young adults leaving the church disturbing at best. I call it hemorrhaging, because many or most of the young adults leaving the church have stated explicitly, that the church has proved as a wedge driven between them and God. Also, many see no value in the local church for their walk with Christ. Many appear incredulous believing the church is more centered on growing programs and not growing people. I for one, can understand that sentiment.

After reading Stetzer’s research, there is enough blame on all sides that could easily and legitimately be distributed. As a Minister of Education, serving on the front lines and in the trenches with other believers in the local church, I want to highlight my own perspective.

Stetzer stated that inflated Student Ministries have provided nothing more than a holding tank with pizza. This statement resonated with me as a former Student Minister, as I have been that culprit more times than I’d like to admit. I also experienced some of that when I attended church while I was in High School. However, I was fortunate enough to have a strong and persistent Student Minister, who refused to give up on me. Through that relationship, and my growing relationship with Christ, God called me into full-time vocational ministry. However, God’s plan didn’t fit my plan, and after four long years of running, I finally surrendered to God’s call in my life. Through that process, and growing into young adulthood, I experienced the lowest of lows and the highest of highs in my walk with Christ and my involvement in His church.

Sadly, those holding tanks with pizza still dot the landscape of many ministries within the church today (they only look different from the outside). Much like my mistakes as a Student Minister, and even today, as a Minister of Education,  Student Ministries, Adult Ministries, Children’s Ministries and other church-based ministries use the attendance report as the barometer in measuring their ministry’s maturity, or lack thereof. So to keep the numbers high, church staff members often create a buzz circulating around their respective ministries. By utilizing this practice, many church staff ministers have crossed the perimeter of light, and instead of providing a conduit for the Holy Spirit to grow children, students, and adults, they often keep those involved in their ministries on a consistent diet of milk, and many never move to the meat.

An Overwhelming Call, but an Overcoming God

In the book of Jude, Jude wrote in an implicit manner, about how God spreads His Kingdom through the church. He also warned the early believers of the false teachers that had infiltrated the church. He clearly expressed that the church must contend for the believers, led astray by false teachers, and it must also contend to maintain the integrity and truth of the Gospel.

However, Jude also exhorted the early believers with the mission of the church. In verses 20-23 He wrote: “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them” (NIV)

We have an overwhelming call, but an overcoming God, who empowers His Body, in order to spread the Gospel of Christ.

The Difference Between Knowing the Right Decision and Making the Right Decision

1 Kings Chapter 12 describes the details within the fray that existed between Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, and God’s chosen leader over Judah, and Jeroboam, the leader whom God chose to rule over the 10 tribes of Israel. The author of 1 Kings provides the following account: Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all the Israelites had gone there to make him king.  When Jeroboam heard this (he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from  Egypt. So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: ”Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you”…..Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime.

They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people….they will always be your servants”…..But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders. He told the Israelites: “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.”  The Israelites rebelled against Rehoboam and killed the man in charge of forced laobr, and Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem.

Rehoboam  then mustered the whole house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin—a hundred and eighty thousand fighting men—to make war against Jeroboam (who had returned from exile in Egypt) and the house of Israel to regain the kingdom.

Then the Lord said to Rehoboam….”Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing”…. So they obeyed the word of the LORD and went home again, as the LORD had ordered.

You may ask yourself  “what point am I trying to make?” I’m glad you asked.

General Norman Schwarzkopf said: “The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.”

The same goes for us….We always know the right decision, or at least we have a good understanding of the right decision to make. So I will close with these few questions: “Has there ever been a time in your life, through anger or pain, that you almost made a horrible decision?” “Did you make it?” “If so, what were the consequences?” “Or did the Holy Spirit intervene, and you listened to Him carefully, with an obedient heart, and cooled down, then did what God said?”

In Rehoboam’s case…. he just went home.

E-Mails from Andrew: The Easter Story Contextualized in Today’s Culture

As we come to a close of the week following the most important day of the year for Christianity, I wanted to share with you a piece my friend, Matt Tullos wrote, in regards to the first and complete Resurrection Sunday….He contextualizes the Resurrection story in our modern vernacular and directly ties it to our current day culture. I hope it impacts you as much as t did me.

EMAIL FROM ANDREW
Many of you haven’t been aware of what happened this afternoon. Jesus died by crucifixion. (I know that many haven’t been aware of Jesus arrest. I apologize for not going into all the details of the past few horrific days- the worst days of our lives.) Joseph of Aramathea received a release from Pilate for the body of Jesus. He is to be buried in a new tomb tonight. Nicodemus has been a great help in preparation for the burial. There will be no formal memorial service due to the fear that we all are experiencing.

The past few days have been very difficult… difficult beyond compare. Pray for Mary, Jesus mother. She is in despair. Pray also for Peter who is experiencing a great amount of self doubt. At this point, no one knows where Peter is and we fear that he might harm himself. You may have heard rumors that Judas conspired to bring Jesus under arrest. It’s true. He committed suicide early this morning. Feel free to forward this news to any followers of Jesus and let’s stick together prayerfully and begin to try to put the pieces of our lives back together. I’m in the process of trying to get everyone together to pray and to discuss these difficult matters.
Your friend, Andrew

ANOTHER E-MAIL FORWARDED FROM ANDREW
Just wanted to update everyone, despite the fact that this is dangerous, attempting to communicate anything through the net, because the Romans, Pharisees, and others might intercept this message. (Many of your service providers are administrated by the Roman Government and the religious hierarchy.)

As mentioned in my last note, Jesus died sometime around 4pm yesterday outside the gates of Jerusalem on a hill called “the place of the skull.”

Simon Peter was located last night in Gethsemene. He was delirious and very depressed. He feels like his whole life has been a failure. Please keep him in your prayers. Mary the Mother of Jesus was ministered to by John and Mary Magdalene. Most of Jesus followers are unsure of what they will do in the future. I would imagine that if the government allows us to remain free, we’ll return to our former trades. All disciples are accounted for and we are planning to meet and pray tonight. We all have been touched greatly by Jesus and the loss is severe. Let me remind all of you, that he would not have us revolt or compromise ourselves in an emotional reaction. As a memorial to his life let us remember how he lived and died.

Andrew

PS Please feel free to forward this note to other believers

ANDREW cont’d
I planned on writing you this letter before dawn but things have beena little crazy around here. Mary went to the tomb and now she’s in some sort of hysterical bliss about having seen JJJJJJ JJJJJsefnba;urhfgqvhwv oy fdgn;i vqeoia[ tahjk gha;kjf gjkd

This is Peter. Andrew just fainted and his head fell on the keyboard because I just walked into the room with the Risen, Glorified, Conquering, Living Savior- Jesus Christ. Forward this news to
everyone!!!

HE IS ALIVE!!
Simon Peter

Connect the Dots and You’ll Find No Room for Jesus!

As I celebrated Christmas this year, it was much to my delight that my little 7 year old read the Christmas story out of the Gospel of Luke the Sunday before Christmas. It was picture-perfect, as it mirrored Linus’ reading of the same story in the classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Except I believe my little girl excelled far beyond Linus!

 

However, as I began to think about the Christmas story, I became focused on the biblical truth that the Savior of the world, who was God, but who became lower than even the angels (Hebrews 2:9), and was born of the flesh, as both human and divine, all for you and me! Once more, I was captivated by the fact that there was no room for Jesus in the Inn in Bethlehem that night…Therefore, our Lord was born in a cave and laid in a feeding trough.

 

That’s where I recognized my first dot; of this “connect the dots of biblical narratives about Jesus.”

 

The second dot which I plotted along my course to a simpler understanding of the humanity and deity of Christ is found in Matthew 8:20 where Jesus said: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”  The world had no room for Jesus as he was in the prime of His public ministry…Do you see where I am headed?

 

The third and final dot is found in the empty tomb…I am delighted, yet even more so, humbled, to say that even though the world had no room for Jesus as a baby, or as an adult…The grave had no room for Jesus either (Luke 24:1-6)!

 

As I plotted my simple line graph, I quickly found out that it was not a graph at all, but a beautiful Mosaic of Grace. For the world neither had, nor made room for Jesus, However, through His abundance of grace, Jesus has made room for all who call on Him…For those who believe in Him and receive Him as Lord (Acts 10:43).

 

It is indeed a mighty God who can take a simple three point line graph and paint the most incredible masterpiece in the history of the world!!!

Life: To Conquer or Surrender?

Life is somewhat like Everest…very few have conquered it; however, many have paid its ultimate price…

 

For me, that begs the question “Is life something to conquer, or something to which we surrender?”

 

Looking at the life of Christ, we finds its answer, and it’s not one most of us easily accept. The answer is found in Philippians 2

 

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:5-8

 

This biblical axiom is like the flu shot for a child…The child cannot see past the sting of the vaccination to the medicinal cure of the vaccine itself.

 

To quote Al Pacino in the movie “The Devil’s Advocate:” “Vanity is definitely my favorite sin.”

Authentic Masculinity

Like most young boys growing up, I thought that real men were defined by their physical strength or mental prowess….and that may indeed be partially true for some…However, as I have gotten older, I have learned much about true masculinity, and that it is actually found in a man’s “posture”…No, I’m not referring to walking and sitting in a straight and upright position (although that’s good as well).

No, I have discovered over my 39 years, and especially the last and most incredible 13 years with my wife, and the never-boring and always exciting last 7 years with my wonderful little girl, that it’s my “spiritual posture” that truly defines my masculinity as a man, as a husband, and as a father!

Let me briefly explain…My wife is a huge Natalie Grant fan. Natalie Grant is a famous Christian singer and songwriter. I have only recently become a true fan of Natalie Grant and her music, primarily through my wife’s iPod, as we spend time together.

You may be asking yourself “what in the world does a female Christian singer have to do with true masculinity…” Well, I’m glad you asked!”

It all goes back to that one word “posture!”  Natalie Grant’s most recent release is entitled “I will not be moved.”

Read the lyrics I’ve copied below…

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They’re bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won’t let me go
And is the reason why…

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It’s grace I’m standing on

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I’ve worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

 

It’s the posture we attain by submitting ourselves to the Lordship of Christ…For on the Cornerstone, Jesus the Solid Rock…I WILL NOT BE MOVED…

I know this idea of submission to gain strength and wisdom is quite paradoxical…However, the Hebrew writer recorded it best in Hebrews 2:7… “For a little while you made him lower than the angels, and you crowned him with glory and honor.”

I can only find my true and authentic masculinity by submitting my life and yielding it to Christ everyday…Then, and only then, I will not be moved!

 

 

Who Did Jesus Love?

He loved His friends – Lazarus

He loved those who served Him – The woman who anointed Him with perfume

He loved those who followed Him – The disciples

He loved those who did not – The rich young ruler

He loved the unlovely – The paralytic

He loved the untouchable – The leper

He loved sinners – The adulteress

He loved those who hated Him – Jerusalem

 

However, the most difficult one for me to digest, is that He loved those for whom He died – You & Me

 

Jesus lived for two reasons – To Love and to Die

 

He died so that we would not suffer the sting of death, but that we would reap the bountiful blessings of a full and eternal life, found only in Him!

 

Got Hope?

Are you facing seemingly unsurpassable circumstances? Do you have hope amidst the heavy burden you are carrying, due to your circumstances? I’m not referring to a fleeting notion of hope, one often referred to in a trite tone. No! I’m referring to a hope that does not fade.… A hope in which we can rejoice in the good times, and one that carries us though life’s most difficult circumstances.

Read the following written by Mark Hall….

’I’m the man with all I’ve wanted
All the toys and playing games
I am the one who pours your coffee
Corner booth each Saturday

I am your daughter’s favorite teacher
I’m the leader of the band
I sit behind you in the bleachers
I am every man

I’m the coach of every winning team
And still a loser in my mind
I am the soldier in the airport
Facing giants one more time

I am the woman shamed and haunted
By the cry of unborn life
I am every broken man
Nervous child, lonely wife

Is there hope for every man?
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
Is there hope for every man?

Is there love that never dies
Is there peace in troubled times
Someone help me understand
Is there hope for every man?

If I could find someone to follow
Who knows my pain and feels the way
The uncertainty of my tomorrow
The guilt and pain of yesterday

There is hope for every man
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
There is hope for every man

There is love that never dies
There is peace in troubled times
Will we help them understand
Jesus is hope for every man

Listen to what God said in His Word…

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope that does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”  Romans 5:1-5

There is a true and legitimate hope, a hope that delivers every time…and it is found only in God, His Son, and His Spirit!

As one author put it: “God’s Hope is a ‘Stubborn Hope,’ it never gives up nor ever fails!”

 

 

An Icarus Identity Crisis

Let me preface this post by stating that I don’t typically spend my leisure time reading Greek Mythology. I am, however, quite familiar with Icarus….a character in Greek Mythology….in fact, I would encourage all of you, if not already, to read the story of Icarus.

Icarus’ story is one in which everyone can identify with at one point or another in their lives!

As the story goes….Icarus is imprisoned with his father, Daedalus, who is an artist. They were imprisoned on the island of Crete, by an evil King. Utilizing his artistic skills to escape their imprisonment, Daedalus constructed wings, with feathers made of wax, so he and Icarus could escape their island imprisonment. Before they took flight, Daedalus instructed Icarus not to fly too close to the sun, because his wax wings would melt and he would surely fall to his death.  

After those last words, both father and son flew from their island prison…Finally free from the oppression of the evil king.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the story ended there? But does it ever? For any of us?

No, Icarus felt so free for the first time, that he flew too high, thus eluding his father’s warning, and the sun melted his wings, and Icarus fell to his death.

We all have moments, or even seasons, when we experience times of legitimate pride….However, when that period of legitimate pride is not countered with humility, we can fall into an elapsed sense of bravado. It is during these times of bravado when we lose our bearings and sense true north, and we crash and burn….Often leaving a disastrous crash site that would make any 6:00 pm news report.

The disastrous effects we experience durnig these times or seasons of bravado, often lead us to a sense of complete decimation from our perspective. It is during these times when we must trust God and His Word – Take Isaiah 55:8-9 which states:  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Whether you’re soaring in the clouds or suffering through your circumstances….Remember, God’s artistry is not like that of  Daedalus’, no, His never fails….God’s Masterpiece of Grace is a Mosaic of His unending love for everyone, anywhere, at anytime!!!