There is nothing that I can write here today that could compare to the experience we enjoyed in God’s presence this past Sunday. I just finished listening to the podcast of yesterday’s service and I think I could listen to it a hundred times more. What a powerful, powerful experience! I would encourage each and every one of you to listen to the message, either again or for the first time, and reflect on what God wants to say to us through this message.
If there was one message that I wish I could share in every church across America it would be this one. According to a 2005 study, the median church in the U.S. has 75 regular participants in worship on Sunday mornings. With an average age over 60, these congregations can expect to lose as much as 50% of their congregation due to death in the next decade. Add to that total the roughly 70%-80% of college-aged students who leave the church upon graduation from high school and we are very clearly one generation away from losing the church in America. Our churches and our people need a wake-up call!
I could go on, but I really would encourage you to listen to this message in its entirety to hear what I believe God wants to say to the church today. May God bless you and challenge you as you listen to this week’s message.
I would also like to encourage you to follow through with the Stones of Remembrance jar that we introduced on Sunday. What a powerful way to set the tone for the Thanksgiving season for your family.
-Pastor Brandin
Great words, Brandin. I’ve been in much the same line of thought recently. I’ve been reading a powerful book on why youth are leaving the church–I think you would love it. It’s called “Going, Going, Gone.” By Jeff Schadt. You can also visit his website at http://www.goinggoinggone.com In the first chapter he breaks your stat down further. 3 million high school grads per year. 1 million involved in a church. So by the time they turn 23, only 250,000 are still involved in a church. THIS HAS GOT TO CHANGE!
By the way, let’s bring it home. According to Nazarene Research, nation wide, 25% of students from Nazarene Churches go to Nazarene schools. The Joplin District is no different–20-29% attend any Nazarene school.
p.s. And I love your new logo!
Blessings!
Comment by Ben Moore on November 9, 2011 at 11:13 pm