Six Reasons

I just found this article posted by The Barna Group:

6 Reasons Young Christians Leave the Church

I read it an thought it was great because this is something I have seen first hand both in the my friends and many students that have come through PCYM.   It's heartbreaking ang I spend quite a bit of time dreaming of how to turn this upside down.

But on the other hand, I am encouraged.  This morning (yes, I know it's Sunday) I went to a church with Devanne where they engage young christians in a very non assuming, honest and accepting way. Hundreds of students show up and bring their friends. . . it's beautiful.

We also saw our youth group spend the day yesterday caring for the homeless of our city.  They washed their feet and hair, gave them food, drinks and other things, knitted them scarves. . . it was beautiful.

Even when our students aren't super stoked on church, actions like these prove that their hearts are in the right place. So I am caring less about students not attending church and caring more about creating a culture of Christlike living. Seems like even Jesus wasn't too excited about some of church culture in His time. . .

"So many choose church over Jesus.  We need to encourage the right things"  - Nate Edwardson

So even after reading the Barna study, I am encouraged.