This Is a Sad Story ...

[Gibs]

Very good stuff, Amish make it here too, call it sorghum. Rich in several good things.

[JoeMo]

I have some Amish furniture...

[olger]

I bought some Amish Molasses today.

[Naomi]

Very good stuff, Amish make it here too, call it sorghum. Rich in several good things.

We used to make and sell what we called Sorghum Molasses ... guess it would be called Adventist Sorghum Molasses

[Kendoro]

Young people leave the church because they are raised in the church and not of it. They are hardly the ones to blame. If you want to point fingers, look at the parents who raise them. Parents today rely increasingly on those outside the family to provide the guidance and teaching that should be happening at home. They rely on the school and church to fill in for the gaps that they themselves have introduced in their children's upbringing. Parents by far have the the strongest influence on the training of a child.

The way children are raised today, many are ill-equipped to properly care of themselves independently after high school. Many are not even done growing up when they finish college. What is going on in their spiritual lives is no different from what is happening in their lives in general. Children should be raised to be able to stand on their own two feet both spiritually and financially by age eighteen. If parents do not keep this goal in mind, they will raise their kids to fail.

Kids leave the church because that is what they have been raised to do. Local church participation and tithing fall well below 10% of the entire congregation. Most kids have parents who fall in the 90% who do not participate in church actively, so they never learn the value of staying in church.

The problems we are seeing in this age segment are a reflection of the larger problems within the church as has already been mentioned.

[JoeMo]

To a certain extent, I agree, Kendoro. However, I don't think it is just parents. I must include peer pressure. So many young people are just plain athiest/agnostic nowdays; and they often influence their friends to consider spiritual alternatives.

Several of the young people I know don't leave Christianity; they leave the SDA Church for another denomination. For example, my oldest daughter left the SDA Church about 15 years ago out of sheer boredom. She immediately joined Calvary Chapel; and is totally sold out for Jesus; and is now a Pastor's wife. She is more committed to Christ than most of the SDA's I know - and much happier. Why? because Calvary Chapel is much more relevant and adaptive to todays culture, while remaining true to the spirit of the Gospel. They don't compromise on obedience; they just present it at a result of salvation and a blessing rather than a prerequisite for salvation and a warning.

[Gibs]

JoeMo, How does your daughter regard the Sabbath now? I'd think that would be an issue she needs to deal with.

You see this is the whole issue, the law is being lighty regarded if not seen as of any consequence at all. This very alarming to see this.

His Spirit would not give me peace and would tug at me strongly.

We are all being pulled into one camp or the other, choose wisely, this is for keeps.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[LifeHiscost]

Too often we depend on others to feed us our Bible knowledge -- preachers, CDs, downloads, Youtube, bloggers, forum authors, printed Bible lessons with a few verses and a lot of commentary, etc. I have learned from personal experience that when I dig deeply in the Bible for myself, the Holy Spirit will bring me to understandings that I don't think I could have gotten any other way. That Berean attitude -- we all need it. I wonder -- if we had it, what would it do to our churches, and to our unity in Christ? LD

God blesses!

[Gordon1]

Too often we depend on others to feed us our Bible knowledge -- preachers, CDs, downloads, Youtube, bloggers, forum authors, printed Bible lessons with a few verses and a lot of commentary, etc. I have learned from personal experience that when I dig deeply in the Bible for myself, the Holy Spirit will bring me to understandings that I don't think I could have gotten any other way. That Berean attitude -- we all need it. I wonder -- if we had it, what would it do to our churches, and to our unity in Christ?

Well said LynnDel. The Church seems afflicted with these Bible shortcuts.

Many believe the quarterly lesson or a taped sermon passes for Bible study. Few have heard of Strong's Concordance.

The pastors could teach how to study the Bible but I am not sure they know how.

[Gordon1]

The only hope for any fallen person, or any fallen church, is to repent,

and return to the last place they saw the light.

SDAs have received a mountain of light, but turned from most of it.

Giving up the Sabbath is no more progressive than committing murder or living in adultery.

The Decalogue is one code, holy, just & good.

MASSIVE GROWTH! is not the seal of Godliness; Satan will deceive billions.

[Guest]

Amen.

[Gail]

Never give up on one because that person is of another denomination, especially if they were not being fed properly while with the Adventist church. As long as one still breathes I consider that there is a hope that he or she may join the right one of the 2 groups that remain at the end.

A knowledge of prophecy will not prevent people from leaving the church. I have seen that happen lots over the years.

I like what LD and Gordon said, about studying in the Berean tradition. More than that, we need to help those words in Scripture spark and light up in each believer's heart so that they become a fire. A believer in Jesus will love as He loved. Mercy and truth will govern their lives.

Once you have tasted of the Promised land it will create a yearning for more. It is when the eyes are focused upwards that the threat of death cannot touch the soul.

[Gail]

Young people leave the church because they are raised in the church and not of it. They are hardly the ones to blame. If you want to point fingers, look at the parents who raise them. Parents today rely increasingly on those outside the family to provide the guidance and teaching that should be happening at home. They rely on the school and church to fill in for the gaps that they themselves have introduced in their children's upbringing. Parents by far have the the strongest influence on the training of a child.

The way children are raised today, many are ill-equipped to properly care of themselves independently after high school. Many are not even done growing up when they finish college. What is going on in their spiritual lives is no different from what is happening in their lives in general. Children should be raised to be able to stand on their own two feet both spiritually and financially by age eighteen. If parents do not keep this goal in mind, they will raise their kids to fail.

Kids leave the church because that is what they have been raised to do. Local church participation and tithing fall well below 10% of the entire congregation. Most kids have parents who fall in the 90% who do not participate in church actively, so they never learn the value of staying in church.

The problems we are seeing in this age segment are a reflection of the larger problems within the church as has already been mentioned.

Good point! If there is a conspiracy we should consider at all it is what Satan has done to the state of families in our modern age. :(

[Gibs]

Getting to know Him is to love Him. Then if not before we come to repentance and are truly His. Then He takes care of His own. Then hang tight with Him and reamain so.

Hmmm, but that is not a sad story, oh well none like the sad ones anyway!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

MASSIVE GROWTH! is not the seal of Godliness; Satan will deceive billions.

True, within the framework of this fallen world alone.

OTOH we need to remember that the war of every man's soul is won or lost by those who stay with the body of believers, of which two thirds remained faithful in the courts of Heaven and a massive number will rejoin them as members of the body of Christ at the final judgment.

" After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar,

“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne

and from the Lamb!”"Rev 7:9,10 NLT

God blesses!

[LifeHiscost]

Originally Posted By: Kendoro

Young people leave the church because they are raised in the church and not of it. They are hardly the ones to blame.

Kids leave the church because that is what they have been raised to do.

The problems we are seeing in this age segment are a reflection of the larger problems within the church as has already been mentioned.

Good point! If there is a conspiracy we should consider at all it is what Satan has done to the state of families in our modern age.

Though all the church fail, committing my life for Jesus to keep assures my home for the future.

"“‘What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live. The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness. But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die."Ezekiel 18:19-21 NLT

All of the deceiver's seductive power is unable to overwhelm one promise God gives to those whose primary desire is to yield to His wisdom that He might be glorified.

"He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live."John 14:17-19 NLT

None can safely say, "The devil made me do it."

God blesses!

[JoeMo]

Actively living our faith - practicing what we preach - is our best witness. Showing people the love of God rather than the wrath of God will attract people. EGW says we should always err on the side of mercy rather than the side of justice. It is the kindness of the Lord that leads us to repentance.

I taught as a guest at another church today. The youth were actively included in class, praise, and preaching. Half of the congregation was under 20 years old. What can one conclude from this?

BTW - this was a traditional SDA Church doing a great job of including people rather than excluding them.

[Gibs]

Maybe the church sees they are going to have to bring the world and worldly into the church to have big numbers. It looks to me like it is happening and going on for some time.

Where is that going to take the church?

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[CoAspen]

Maybe the church sees they are going to have to bring the world and worldly into the church to have big numbers. It looks to me like it is happening and going on for some time.

Where is that going to take the church?

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Did you even read or understand what Joe posted? Have you considered that maybe it is the type of attitude you seem to be displaying here that would turn the younger generation away from the church? No matter what the positives people are posting, you continually go in a negative direction. I can only assume that you want things your way and if not, all other are wrong.

Can you clear this up??

[JoeMo]

What's more important - bringing people to Christ or bringing people to Adventism? What's more important, having an intimate relationship with Jesus and learning to obey Him out of love and respect, or just blindly obeying Him out of fear and hoping to maybe love HIm someday once you have earned His love?

Gibs,

If you are responding to my post immediately above yours, where on earth do you get the idea that just because young people are encouraged to participate in church that the church is letting the world in? Good grief! Do you find young people that evil?

[JoeMo]

Jesus Himself invites those who are weak and weary (IOW, "sinners") to come to Him; and He will give them rest. He invites those who are thirsty to come and drink of Living Water; so they may never thirst again. Why do some people have the idea that the church is simply a refuge for the [self] righteous? Did not Jesus say that only those who are sick need a physician? I take that to mean that sinners need a Savior! Who cares why people come to Jesus? The important thing is that they come. Just as they are, filthy rags and all! And it's our job to take them in and love them - BEFORE we turn them into theologians.

[JoeMo]

Thanks for the support, CoAspen.

[Woody]

Excellent posts JoeMo

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

Maybe the church sees they are going to have to bring the world and worldly into the church to have big numbers. It looks to me like it is happening and going on for some time.

This is one of those catch 22 situations where you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. Jesus came to save sinners and if we let the Lord decide when to close the door of the ark, we'll see every sinner who enters the ark, an opportunity to feed them while they're present, saving the pointing of fingers until such time as the Lord closes the door. And if we are one of those who is subject to the habit of pointing out why someone shouldn't be allowed in because of their waywardness, we will probably continue pointing until the door is shut and at last find ourselves on the outside pointing in to those who find no need to build themselves up at the expense of others.

Our discipline is to preach the Word, and let the Holy Spirit convict the heart of those who find the Word uncomfortable.

God blesses!

[epaminondas]

An effective cure always addresses the cause of the problem. Instead of speculating why young people leave/don't join the church, ask them.

Thinking back decades, I remember that I wanted to have a good time and thought too much religion would cramp my style. Very much in line with this:

Quote:

NETfree: Ecclesiastes 11:9. Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes, but know that God will judge your motives and actions.

Make no mistake, I was always a believer (my logical mind told me order can't come from disorder, except with some outside input), but I wanted to have some fun. Much like the Amish sending their young out for a time to decide where they want to end up.

Personally, I find all theology wanting because of great many logical fallacies accepted as true by those in charge and the way they can find support for opposing viewpoints by twisting obscure passages in the Bible to say what they want it to say. But that may only be me. Ask the young people what bothers them and address that. Simple.