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[Poll]
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WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH?
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| they don't feel connected to the people in the church |
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| church members seem judgmental or hypocritical |
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| simply want a break from church |
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| Church is irrelevant |
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| disagree with the church's teachings about God |
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Total Votes : 18
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(last vote on : 7/1/2008 2:54:23 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
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WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 5/31/2008 9:59:24 PM
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rmoore1925
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 5/31/2008 10:45:57 PM
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Bro_Shane
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They are either not saved or they are not discipled.
There are other reasons, but these are the main ones. It amazes me that so many churches either do not care to follow up on those who make professions of faith or totally forget about those that have. Also a factor is our consumer mentality. Many people today will leave a church because "It wasn't meeting my needs." Too many people go to church with their hands out, and not with their hands up. Many will talk about the (so-called) lazy people on welfare, who only want something for nothing - yet they go to church in sear of "spiritual welfare" in which they get something and give nothing and it's all about them.
Pastors are lazy or cowards (or both), congregants are the same with an unhealthy mixture of the power hungry and just plain lost. People who have no business being in leadership or teaching are allowed to under the guise of "forgiveness" or "not judging."
Then, you have those that are faithful, that are spiritually hungry, and go elsewhere to be fed.
_____________________________
Prayer is not where we change God's mind, it is where He changes ours.
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 5/31/2008 10:50:50 PM
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earthless
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I did not see the answer I would have voted for.
One of the greatest failures of churches today is the utter lack of apologetics for their youth and congregation as a whole.
They do not teach why we believe what we claim to believe. So we have entire generations of young people who go to church every Sunday, are involved with the youth group, etc.. but when they reach college age, the age where they can usually decide on their own not to attend or attend, they having never been born-again or being weak and immature in their faith/walk.. leave.
They never were given a firm foundation and are deceived by the things around them.
I am sorry for such a shoddy response.. I am doing five things at once right now.
I will add more later.
_____________________________
Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 5/31/2008 11:21:27 PM
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sue244
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I didn't vote since the answer I would have given was not there. I think kids leave because we spend the time we have them in church, entertaining them. Then they go to college and have other ways to be entertaned, and the church can't keep up with the entertainmet of the world. We need to be challenging and discipling and getting them invovled in all aspects of the church.
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"It is a remarkable fact that all the heresies which have arisen in the Christian Church have had a decided tendency to 'dishonor God and to flatter man.'"
Spurgen
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 5/31/2008 11:23:21 PM
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crankius
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Bro_Shane
They are either not saved or they are not discipled.
Agree with this.
quote:
ORIGINAL: earthless
One of the greatest failures of churches today is the utter lack of apologetics for their youth and congregation as a whole.
I also agree with this.
The strength of my youth pastor is that he taught us to read the scriptures and we studied serious theology. We were a small group, but from that group has come pastors, youth pastors, and dedicated disciples.
I've been quite surprised to find out just how rare our experience was. Most youth programs abandon "childhood Bible stories" and focus on lessons about sex, drugs, music, etc., and push experiential worship. At an age when kids can begin to study the Word with their intellect, and seriously come to terms with their faith and a deeper theological understanding, we fail when we give them fluff and stuff in a weak attempt to be relevant, be hip, and meet them where they are--just plain silly.
I also think churches fail by having such extreme separation between the different age groups. Youth get sandwiched between childhood and adulthood, instead of being invited to be among the mature adults of the church.
I didn't vote--it's a complicated topic. The other problem is that they are moving about, attending college or starting work and just don't often get connected with a church during that transition. After they settle down as adults, many eventually go back to church.
_____________________________
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
Obey Me! 
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 5/31/2008 11:50:06 PM
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crankius
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Another aspect to this that I'm wondering about is just the intellectual arrogance and natural rebellion that comes with young adulthood. They go to college or enter the world and suddenly feel so much smarter than their parents and begin to think the church was foolishness.
If they are truly saved (and being saved  ), the Holy Spirit will work on them and they will return to the church. I'm not sure, but maybe better teaching in a Biblical world view can help prevent this straying.
Which leads to another aspect:
Too many parents have believed that spiritual instruction is up to the church, and they have failed to make the home the center of spiritual teaching.
Things parents should be doing, but have often believed is the role of the church alone:
-read the Bible with your kids regularly through the week
-discuss theology with your kids through the week
-pray for others together as a family daily/regularly
-serve one another and serve among the believers together as a family
-enjoy Bible studies and book studies together as a family outside of church
-intentionally instruct your kids in a Biblical world view
etc. etc.
I've never done a study on it, but I think the more a kid views church as just this place they go to "be spiritual", they are more likely to not take much interest in it.
We aren't trying to raise church-goers, right? We are trying to raise kids who desire to serve the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. We plant the solid seeds and pray that God gives the growth.
There are just a lot of contributing factors, I think.
 Okay, I'll hush up now. I'm definitely rambling.  It's late and I really shouldn't be posting.
_____________________________
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
Obey Me!
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/1/2008 2:03:46 AM
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xc279
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I am speaking from personal experiance here but many leave the church because they believe it to be a fraud. as Earthless said there is a lack of apologetics. If people are doubting the validity of the Bible then they need to be shown proof as to its validity.
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/1/2008 7:57:32 AM
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Doghouse
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I didn't see my answer in your list.
Sometimes, I believe people expect to be entertained by Church, and when they are not, they leave.
The point of Church is to entertain God, not ourselves. We are worshipping Him at Church, so we are the performers; we are not the audience.
I think if more people would keep that in mind during Church, it would transform some of the theatrics sometimes seen in Churches, and get Church back to being about worship, and not about producing a theatrical show for the congregation.
_____________________________
When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity...it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed, he does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life" - Ez 18:25-28
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/1/2008 8:16:37 AM
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rcjames
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Bro_Shane
They are either not saved or they are not discipled.
Amen!
Thanks
RC
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Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/1/2008 10:16:19 AM
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stampinlady
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quote:
I did not vote because I did not see my answer
I vote that many may be looking for who they are in Chirst and not just following their parents "chuch."
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Deb
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/1/2008 1:54:28 PM
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unclemonkey
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ORIGINAL:earthlessquote:
One of the greatest failures of churches today is the utter lack of apologetics for their youth and congregation as a whole.
You are right, except that I would add that parents need to share the blame. Most of today’s youth are not grounded in sound Biblical doctrine so they have no roots to hold them.
BTW, I couldn’t vote either.
_____________________________
"For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me." - John 5:46
Visit my home church.
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/1/2008 1:56:34 PM
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Soxfan
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I did not see my answer here either.
The church of today is NO different than the world. Jesus is barely mentioned. Teaching about sin and repentance is taboo. Young adults walk into these seeker sensitive, emergent, churches and see it as no different than what they see every day. They are searching for more. Something deeper and more meaningful.
Awfully ironic that this has been happening around the same time the true and holy word of Almighty God stopped being preached and proclaimed. They flock to freak shows like Lakeland, get their quick emotional high with no substance and leave feeling unfulfilled
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"This would be the first step in apostasy; men first forget the true, and then adore the false.".......C.H. Spurgeon
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/1/2008 1:58:05 PM
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Soxfan
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quote:
ORIGINAL: unclemonkey
You are right, except that I would add that parents need to share the blame. Most of today’s youth are not grounded in sound Biblical doctrine so they have no roots to hold them.
Exactly. When their parents are flocking to the Joel Osteen's, Rick Warren's, Bill Hybells, Todd Bentley's, Benny Hinn's, Joyce Meyers, etc in the church, is it any surprise that their kids are also biblically illiterate
_____________________________
"This would be the first step in apostasy; men first forget the true, and then adore the false.".......C.H. Spurgeon
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/1/2008 2:43:14 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Doghouse
I didn't see my answer in your list.
Sometimes, I believe people expect to be entertained by Church, and when they are not, they leave.
The point of Church is to entertain God, not ourselves. We are worshipping Him at Church, so we are the performers; we are not the audience.
I think if more people would keep that in mind during Church, it would transform some of the theatrics sometimes seen in Churches, and get Church back to being about worship, and not about producing a theatrical show for the congregation.
Amen :)
John
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/1/2008 4:44:10 PM
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Heavendweller
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I would agree with all selections and ones that were not mentioned. This topic is one in which volumes could be written for it encompasses a whole variety of issues such as: socialization, peer pressure, the current youth culture, the impact of media upon youth, the breaking apart of the family unit, importance of and striving after materialism, lack of interest in theological matters, the loss of faith in God in general in our society, the need to connect with those of similar interests, the inability of church to hold interest, the bombardment of technology within the youth culture, the impact of situational ethics, relativism, cynicism toward Christianity and religion in general which is felt and taught implicitly and explicitly in higher education.....
The list is incomplete. I think the OP brings up the question in the first place because of the lack of interest in churchon the part of young people a phenomenon that has become quite evident esp. within the past 20 yrs. or so.
When I first became a Christian, the faith community with which I was involved was made up almost entirely of young people. And I knew of many para-church ministries and churches that were also comprised of a large group of young adults. But that was a different time. Today young adults tend to be very skeptical when it comes to church, religion, faith and God.
Heavendweller
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/1/2008 7:43:05 PM
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zamdad
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Before reading through the entire thread, I was struck by this thought after casting a vote for church members being hypocritical. Where do young adults having been raised in the church see the most hypocrisy? Is it from the congregation at large? Or, is it glaringly apparent in their own homes and reaffirmed by other members of the congregation?
After writing the above and reading some of the responses, I am still struck by how all our focus is on "the church," when we are the church. We, the church, have to live lives that reflect the values we preach, teach and believe in. Having had the opportunity to interview, counsel and disciple thousands of men and women, boys and girls in the justice system, I am constantlyreminded that far too many "Christians" live double lives. They have their public face they show at church, the office, out shopping, etc and then they have this other side that only family members get to see. Kids growing up in that environment are left bewildered as they hear the message of Christ coming from the lips of the pastor and from the parent, but they see something completey different once behind the closed door of home.
Yes, "the church" needs to teach the gospel. We also need to reach the parents of the youth we are discipling. If Christ can transform parents, parents will model Christ for their kids. As I write this, I know I have to look in the mirror as well.
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Change is not necessarily reform anymore than noise is music.
-Unknown-
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/2/2008 8:12:27 AM
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earthless
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Soxfan
quote:
ORIGINAL: unclemonkey
You are right, except that I would add that parents need to share the blame. Most of today’s youth are not grounded in sound Biblical doctrine so they have no roots to hold them.
Exactly. When their parents are flocking to the Joel Osteen's, Rick Warren's, Bill Hybells, Todd Bentley's, Benny Hinn's, Joyce Meyers, etc in the church, is it any surprise that their kids are also biblically illiterate
Bingo!
_____________________________
Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/2/2008 10:56:29 AM
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JesKlu
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I think the answer is two-fold. Number 1, I blame the parents. Why? Because they have not made their home the spiritual center for their children. Basically, for a lot of parents, they'll bring their children to church, sunday school, and everything else, but they still end up leaving. You wonder why....
2. As earthless said, there is a lack of Sound Biblical Doctrine and Theology taught in Churches these days. Either many churches are hit by liberalism, or the emergent movement or both. And not to mention also teachers like Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn etc etc...
Your sister in Christ Jesus,
Jessica
_____________________________
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/2/2008 11:08:04 AM
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cow451
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There are multiple reasons. Young adults in any generation want to "do a better job" than their parents. They grow up often getting just one supposedly "right" interpretation of Christianity. As they grow up and get exposed to other ways of thinking, they sometimes feel betrayed and/or are ill-equipped to think through doctrinal issues.
Many young adults today seem to be weary of the "political Christianity" that has become prevalent in many churches. Churches have to address real-life issues in the context of living Christianity if they want young adults through the doors. Just MHO.
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Wenn Sie so intelligent sind, warum Sie hier sind?
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/2/2008 11:12:34 AM
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kernsfamily
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As someone who was a "young adult" in church....until I was married at age 28.....I was "in limbo", as far as MANY churches were concerned....
Alot of churches out there minister greatly to children....to "youth" when they are in jr. high and high school....to families....to married couples....to senior adults......to EVERY demographic one can think of, but, a good single adult ministry is hard to come by....
there really wasn't a PLACE for me in church....sure, I could attend church....but, what about sunday school/bible fellowship classes? they were all set up for "married adults" of all ages......so, as a single adult, you feel "out of place" and "misplaced".....
of course, if you weren't an adult for very long before you got married, you have no clue about what I am talking about....
everyone had a place in many churches....except for single adults...so, for many, it's easy to just "drift away" or whatever....because church was for kids...and for those who were married and had families. Otherwise, you were just "left out"
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/2/2008 12:06:55 PM
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rlj
Posts: 1985
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quote:
Exactly. When their parents are flocking to the Joel Osteen's, Rick Warren's, Bill Hybells, Todd Bentley's, Benny Hinn's, Joyce Meyers, etc in the church, is it any surprise that their kids are also biblically illiterate
Actually I would wager that is backwards. Growing up in stagnant, dead, go through the simple motions but don't offend anyone churchianity turns off more young people then the list you mentioned. Pentecostal/Charismatics are the fastest growing christian churches today.
From the Barna Group:
quote:
"The charismatic orientation is most popular among the non-white population - which is, of course, the sector of the population that is growing most rapidly. Also, the freedom of emotional and spiritual expression typical of charismatic assemblies parallels the cultural trend toward personal expression, accepting diverse emotions and allowing people to interpret their experiences in ways that make sense to them," Barna explained. "It is not surprising that the Pentecostal community in America has been growing - nor do we expect it to stop making headway."
http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=287
quote:
Together with Charismatics, demographers say, Pentecostals are the fastest-growing branch of Christianity in the world.
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/29/Worldandnation/Changing_chruch.shtml
Unfortunately some of those charlatans you mentioned Sox get passed off as leaders. 
_____________________________
-Roger
This is who I'm voting for. He is from the same party I voted for last time. This is consistent with my belief in the failure of the two party system and my disgust with it.
http://www.baldwin08.com/#
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/2/2008 1:45:18 PM
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JesKlu
Posts: 528
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Pentecostals may seem to be the fastest growing, but a lot of younger people want spiritual experience, more than the kind of emotionalism found in Pentecostal Churches. Many young people want to return to the Early Christian Church. They want to worship in a church that does not deny the writings of the Early Church Fathers, or any of the traditions that came from the Early Church, such as Advent and Lent.
There are some churches returning back to these traditions, because some people are converting to either Orthodoxy or Catholicism, so, in order to satisfy the people, there are churches (protestant) returning to these early traditions, which I feel does not conflict with Scripture.
Some churches are becoming more liturgical, and there is a reason why people are not attending Church as often. What about the modernism that has hit the Church, and is so prevalent in Pentecostal Churches? Some Churches are returning back to the traditional way of doing things, such as hymns, because the Church Growth Movement, with all it's false doctrines, is not satisfying young people.
Your sister in Christ Jesus,
Jessica
< Message edited by JesKlu -- 6/2/2008 1:51:45 PM >
_____________________________
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/2/2008 3:55:56 PM
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blessed_every_day
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quote:
WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH?
See: http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=280
quote:
While Christianity has typically generated an uneven reputation, the research shows that many of the most common critiques are becoming more concentrated. The study explored twenty specific images related to Christianity, including ten favorable and ten unfavorable perceptions. Among young non-Christians, nine out of the top 12 perceptions were negative. Common negative perceptions include that present-day Christianity is judgmental (87%), hypocritical (85%), old-fashioned (78%), and too involved in politics (75%) - representing large proportions of young outsiders who attach these negative labels to Christians. The most common favorable perceptions were that Christianity teaches the same basic ideas as other religions (82%), has good values and principles (76%), is friendly (71%), and is a faith they respect (55%).
Even among young Christians, many of the negative images generated significant traction. Half of young churchgoers said they perceive Christianity to be judgmental, hypocritical, and too political. One-third said it was old-fashioned and out of touch with reality.
Interestingly, the study discovered a new image that has steadily grown in prominence over the last decade. Today, the most common perception is that present-day Christianity is "anti-homosexual." Overall, 91% of young non-Christians and 80% of young churchgoers say this phrase describes Christianity. As the research probed this perception, non-Christians and Christians explained that beyond their recognition that Christians oppose homosexuality, they believe that Christians show excessive contempt and unloving attitudes towards gays and lesbians. One of the most frequent criticisms of young Christians was that they believe the church has made homosexuality a "bigger sin" than anything else. Moreover, they claim that the church has not helped them apply the biblical teaching on homosexuality to their friendships with gays and lesbians.
-B
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RE: WHY DO YOUNG ADULTS QUIT CHURCH? - 6/2/2008 4:17:11 PM
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doinkdom
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There is a large group of youth/young adults that are missing from our midsts, for sure.
And every church in the nation is trying to figure out the marketing strategy to "get them." There has been much study done to that end. I actually work for a company that does some of it. Every time it comes across my desk...I just hang my head and pray.
We (the universal "we") have been so busy gathering data, processing information, searching for the next Christian-widget...
that we miss the guy standing on the corner who had a really bad night, full of regrets and just needs a friendly smile
or the gal who gave herself away (does anybody hear her by Casting Crowns song) and stops at the church the next morning for some kind of hope and is totally snubbed by everyone
we actually miss the tattooed guy with the funny colored hair or the girl with too many piercings because we're so concerned <insert sarcasm> about the young people and how to reach them...they are standing right in front of us
This demographic is not some unique group of aliens. They want genuine relationships, authentic community and biblical understanding. It's not that hard to figure out once we actually come from behind our clipboards and pulpits and go out into the community and serve them.
this rant has been brought to you by the redhead doinkster 
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