The Glocal Church

I know for some of you this post may seem way over the top or self-serving at best. However, as my blog deals with matters concerning the institution of the church….I am reminded that the family was the first institution created by God…Even though that might provide some of you with only a sandy foundation for my efforts, I would be remiss as a Daddy if I didn’t ask you to vote for my precious little Allie.

So please click on the link at the bottom of my blogroll titled “Vote for my daughter Allie” …It’s not just shameless promotion, but selfless love!

Thanks and many blessings! 

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.