Why Do Youths Leave The Church?

 

The decline of a youth group is a period that every church is known to go through and has experienced.  A phase that no Youth Director wants to even consider, but unfortunately it is one of those things that happens and must be overcome.  Everything of course has a cause and effect so today we will explore the possible main reason for this sudden “falling away” amongst other factors.

 

Quite recently I watched a video on Youtube.com entitled: “I’m a lifelong Lutheran but…” by Rev. Johnathan Fisk, who delves deep into this phrase which he associates also with his own personal testimony.  I will not detail his entire sermon here but will use excerpts to which this article is related.  He continued to detail on how he left home for college, struggling with his beliefs in his twenties, not giving Lutheranism a second thought but was interestingly led to a Concordia school, dropped out of school and the faith altogether, and back home where he is reconnected with his roots.

 

By and by he recalls a situation that while asking a couple of the kids who were confirmed the year before some basic question concerning the catechism and confirmation, they cant seem to remember a single thing.  But comes to the conclusion that how the catechism is taught, is being forced into the kids heads for memorization, is the cause for their forgetfulness.

 

There has been countless times where I have been told by certain members of our youth group that they didn’t want to be there that day. That the only reason they were there was because they were forced to come.

This forced me to ask myself a question that began this article.  Is the way we are trying to teach the truth our beliefs are based driving our youths away?  In a sense, yes and no.  The first response I had for myself was: “Well how can the Gospel turn away?  Does it not draw people to Jesus Christ?” That answer would be yes.  Paul says in Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”.  So by merely speaking the Word to someone you are actually transforming that person into a doorway, which God then reveals himself through, to that individual.  But the other side of that coin would also be how it is proclaimed.  If we take the Gospel and use it as a blunt object to bash peoples heads in, then they do not receive the Good News and their hearts are even more hardened toward God.

When we witness we have to remember that we must be imitators of Chirst. Paul says quite CLEARLY in 1 Corinthians 10:32-33 “Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”

 

So if the Gospel leads people to Christ and the church is proclaiming the Gospel in a loving manner, then what is still the root of a problem?  Two things we are currently going through and have already done so; individuality and adolescence.  Lets be honest, everyone is different and should be respected in that aspect.  Take myself for example.  I was raised nondenominational so I was already raised in a Christian home.  But seeking fellowship I attended a VBS I was invited to by a friend when I was about 12.  Enjoying myself amongst the people and teens, I wanted to come back.  I found myself to be a regular attendee and an eventual member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. 

 

But in all honesty the thing that most attracted me was the opportunity to have fun with others my age.  If there is something else we can be doing then going to “boring” church, teens are going to do it.   That is the reality and it must be accepted.  That is why it is important that a church, for lack of a better word, accommodate or incite a teens perspective and interests.  This could be done by some workshop, regular activities, simple sit back socialization, and or field trips.  Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 9:22 “I have become all things to all people, that by all means that I may save some.”  If these are things that must be done in order to capture precious opportunities to enhance our walk in this world then I say do it.

 

I understand the argument that teens shouldn’t come to church merely for the activities or that the church isn’t meant to be the “weekend party thrower”.  But what traditionalists must understand is that in this world of distractions you need something to draw a young persons attention, which will then give you that opportunity to speak that marvelous message of Christ.

 

 

The Role Of The Youth in The Church

When there is a question concerning the responsibilities or expectancy of a youth in the church, it is firstly and ultimately decided that a youth is to be an acolyte and nothing more. I say nothing more because after the individual starts their list off with the description “acolyte”, a huge UHM comes next, followed by a short period of silence and a reassurance of their answer of youth’s only being acolytes. In search for a more accurate answer online, there is nothing on this important issue. Especially concerning LCMS (Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod) churches, you will not find an article on this matter. So my hope is that I will be able to give you some helpful insight that should answer your question with certainty.

All throughout the Bible there are many examples set of what a youth’s role in the church is suppose to be. In the Old Testament, Joshua was Moses’ assistant, Joseph, the boy who was sold into slavery by his older brothers, was used by God in a phenomenal way. Jeremiah was called to be a prophet when he was a child. There was also the unnamed boy whom Jesus used to feed the five thousand. This is to name a few!

And the general words and term to describe each and every case concerning this subject is one that we hear and use all the time. This will blow your mind how simple yet profound this is. A youth’s role in the church, amongst the body of Christ, the congregation of believers, is to serve and thus, be used by God!
You’re probably saying to yourself, “Wait, what? But I knew that already. We are all called to serve and by used by God as is every other believer.” Correct, and it is the realization that youths, despite their age but based upon their maturity and basic understanding of the Holy Scriptures, should be considered on an equal level as their older, more experienced brothers and sisters. To hit home even further, in Acts 10:34 Peter says, “…I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:” That is also including age! 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) Peter goes on to say: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:” What did he say? A royal priesthood? But I haven’t gone to seminary to become a pastor, so that cant be about me. I’m exempt from pastoral duties. In a sense that is true. There are those who have been specifically called to the divine instituted ordination (as Luther listed) to teach, to preach and proclaim the Word of God, to baptize, to consecrate or administer the Eucharist, to bind and loose sins, to pray for others, to sacrifice, and to judge all doctrine and spirits. But it is through our baptism that we as believers are called to be apart of this royal priesthood to proclaim the Gospel and do as the priests in the Old Testament did which was to serve the people and to serve as our own High Priest in the New Testament also did. [Galatians 3:27 says: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”] We are to be like Christ; to serve, to give, to love as Christ done all those things.

Luther taught that God structured the human life to be lived in three situations. These were home, the political realm, and the church. He taught that all people are given “offices” or responsibilities in each of these situations and that these responsibilities are callings or vocations from God. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (KJV), “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” So to say that young people are only allowed or should only be allowed to acolyte is both audacious and impertinent!

When the Word of God clearly states that I have gifts that, whether I have come to the realization that I possess these gifts yet or not, allow me to serve in many other areas of the church. I am not saying that being an acolyte is not on the list for a youths service, on the contrary it is an important and very respected office. A youth, if being moved to be more of a blessing, should be allowed and encouraged to do so. In, To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, Luther stated, “All Christians truly are of the spiritual estate, and there is no difference among them except of office. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:[12-13] that we are all one body, yet every member has its own work by which it serves the others.” I cannot stress enough that there has to be a remembrance that all believers of the faith should be treated and looked upon as such, believers of the faith.

As I have stated earlier in this post, based upon their maturity and basic comprehension of the backbone of the scriptures, young believers should be treated as more than youth fulfilling menial tasks within the service. I do hope that this has given clarity and ease of mind.

Check back soon for my next post in this series as I attempt to deliver to you the mindset, emotions, and thoughts of a youth!