Why Are Young People Leaving the Church?

[CGMedley]

Addison Hudgins,a young adult, offers her compelling perspective in the Adventist Review

http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2012-1511&page=14

[phkrause]

Great article, not that I don't disagree with it! This is what bothers me the most though:

After the feed started to work, Caleb was fed up himself, and, feeling slightly used, he left.

“I wasn’t getting anything out of it,” Caleb explained. “Did I get anything from it spiritually? No.”

I find this to be just an excuse!

It seems to me that when we go to church, or at least for me, we should not be looking at, what can I get out of this, but saying what can I give of myself! All I can say is as far back as I can remember I've never thought "well what can I get out of church today." At least that's my opinion.

[Gail]

That is true, but if I went continually to church and NEVER got any blessing, I think I would leave, too.

I find that our people need more of how to live as a Christian. How does one pray effectively? What is the virtue in self-sacrifice? Bearing one's cross? How do I live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God?

Christianity is more than something that you can read about. It is something one joins one's heart to.

[Woody]

Quote:

That is true, but if I went continually to church and NEVER got any blessing, I think I would leave, too

From a personal experience though -

I've gone to a church where I really didn't GET a blessing.

But I was there to GIVE a blessing rather than to receive one.

And in that sense I suppose that I got one.

It's all a matter of perspective.

[Overaged]

Great article, not that I don't disagree with it! This is what bothers me the most though:

After the feed started to work, Caleb was fed up himself, and, feeling slightly used, he left.

“I wasn’t getting anything out of it,” Caleb explained. “Did I get anything from it spiritually? No.”

I find this to be just an excuse!

It seems to me that when we go to church, or at least for me, we should not be looking at, what can I get out of this, but saying what can I give of myself! All I can say is as far back as I can remember I've never thought "well what can I get out of church today." At least that's my opinion.

[Gail]

Quote:

That is true, but if I went continually to church and NEVER got any blessing, I think I would leave, too

From a personal experience though -

I've gone to a church where I really didn't GET a blessing.

But I was there to GIVE a blessing rather than to receive one.

And in that sense I suppose that I got one.

It's all a matter of perspective.

Me, too, but that might be a stretch to expect that out of someone who is inexperienced or young.

A good program that feeds what hearts are craving (Word of God?) is always in order. Jesus promised the woman at the well that the water that He gives is such that she would not thirst again.

[Gail]

Good points, Overaged!

[Gail]

In our earthly life, after the party there is always a morning after.

God and His word are designed to carry us through those slumps, those valleys. Once a person tastes of such spiritual food as the Bible gives us nothing in the world satisfies like that.

[Overaged]

Psalms 30:5

[phkrause]

Excellent points OA

[doug yowell]

I always have questions after reading all the commentaries on why young people leave (the?)church. Have young people changed in the past 50 years? I was a young people once, and I know why most of my peers (me included)left the church.Do young people (how young is young?)leave for different reasons than 30 or 40 year olds? Where do those people go when they leave? Breezing thru the article it seemed like it didn't offer any specific generalities as to the why.

[Overaged]

I was very young when I was born too Doug. (lol, sorry, I couldn't resist)

[doug yowell]

I was very young when I was born too Doug.

Yeah, but that moustache made you look over the age you really were.

[Overaged]

lol

[Aliensanctuary]

Going to church is more like a spectator sport. Not everyone enjoys being a spectator, especially having to sit quietly for an hour or two, unable to even pass gas or belch without extreme embarrassment.