Comments on: Kids leaving the church: What you can do now to turn the tide

By: Olga Whitehead

Olga Whitehead — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 14:20:38 +0000

My church has been on both sides of the issue of teens leaving the church. Up until the past 3 or 4 years, we saw teens (especially those without Christian parents), leave after they got to high school. However, that all changed when we had a small group of serious, motivated high schoolers begin helping in our weeknight Awana club. We needed more leaders, so they stepped in. With the guidance of their Handbook leader, they were given specific jobs working with the Cubbies and Sparks clubbers. They even took over the game time when our game leader was out of town…an adult did not have to step in to cover for him. Now, as the grade 8 clubbers, those in Trek, go into high school, they are excited about serving as well as learning. It has now become a “culture” to be in the High School Journey group and be a L-I-T. We’ve also established a Performing Arts group that participates in the services through drama, flags, skits, and music. They also participate with our Worship Team on occasion. As adults we see that our Awana club (and Sunday School) will be well taken care of when we depart this world. Praise God!

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 00:16:00 +0000

The exact same things apply to many of us who did leave. We were “converted”, equipped, supported and encouraged by parents. And then something changed. Or we noticed what we hadn’t before. Or whatever. People leaver for all kinds of reasons. I don’t think you’ll find that this criteria is an accurate predictor of those that stay. Especially since you have provided no data whatsoever to support these assertions.

By: Gladys Springer

Gladys Springer — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 11:57:48 +0000

As a parent of 5 adult children, tell me why 3 of them are still involved in the church as they were all taught the same values. We never read the bible at home, but took them to church.

By: Brittany Sharpe

Brittany Sharpe — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 22:15:13 +0000

This is great, and I agree that there is not necessarily a formula for those that leave and stay in the church. I think the second point here can really hold up for all areas of the church as well – that we are continuing to equip leaders and teachers and not just entertaining our people. How important this is!

By: PKinney

PKinney — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:00:21 +0000

Here is my take as a mom of teens. The church does not allow our youth to do meaningful work in the church. They are not trained to do the important jobs of running a church. They are fine to help setup chairs, babysit, clean up, even give a devo on occasion but no real job of sustenance. I was losing my teen, he had no interest in the church or even hanging with his friends. We finally joined a church where my teen learned the sound board and is the sound board lead, is uploading the sermons, running the slides, videoing baptism stories & the list goes on. He’s the most committed non-paid staff member in the church. Why? Because he was given a chance to actually do an important job & be counted on to be responsible. And, give them Grace, if 1 Sunday they don’t do the upload correctly doesn’t mean “they failed”. We all make mistakes. Its a win/win – committed Youth to the church, jobs being done by those who have energy & enthusiasm = more work force, more families committed to the church. Youth Pastors & Senior Pastors – find meaningful jobs for your Youth in the church. Give them responsibility for the long haul, not just occasionally.

By: Kids Leaving the Church: What You Can Do to Turn the Tide | WorshipIdeas.com

Tue, 09 Jul 2013 03:11:39 +0000

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By: Laird

Laird — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:54:40 +0000

This was an excellent article. I might add that, in a book called Already Gone, which deals with this topic, the authors state that one of the fundamental characteristics of youth who leave the church is a questioning of certain parts of the Bible that seem very difficult to believe, such as the account of Jonah being swallowed up by a great fish. Perhaps we parents need to be engaged in helping our kids grapple with some of these portions of Scripture that may seem difficult to swallow (no pun intended). I know that, as a Christian who happens to be a dad, I have questions myself. I need to model discipleship by asking appropriate questions and proactively seeking answers from credible sources (Matt. 6:33). I can’t just ignore these questions.

By: Dale Stewart

Dale Stewart — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:42:08 +0000

Great article with very accurate advise. I would only like to correct one issue. From a biblical perspective -the job of the youth pastor is not to get the parents on board with their program, but just the opposite. The youth pastor is never a position given biblical authority to children, but rather the parents are the biblical authority over the children. Youth pastors need to be a resourse to compliment the teaching of the parents. The youth pastor needs to get on board with the parents programs and reinforce that teaching. Which leads to another subjects of raising godly parents!

By: The Vision for Ministry to Parents and Children | FBC Children's Ministry

The Vision for Ministry to Parents and Children | FBC Children's Ministry — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:19:05 +0000

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By: Sue Johnsson

Sue Johnsson — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:13:34 +0000

I believe there are two important factors that cause teens to leave the church:
1. Michelle Anthony in her book “Teaching Kids Authentic Worship”, discusses that we have taught children ABOUT God, but not taught them to KNOW God. This is where knowing Him as Savior and developing that personal, living relationship with Him comes in. They have not connected with the One, Who is love, truth, power, etc.
2. We have spent too much time entertaining our youth instead of teaching them to do ministry. I started teaching at the age of 12 and I believe that is part of the reason I have been in ministry all my life. At least half of my VBS Team consists of our great teens, some are also involved on Sunday mornings either teaching or assisting in classes or the nursery. They are involved in mentoring, discipling and Bible studies with each other, as well as the missions’ trips and outreach ministries. They feel a vital part of the church – it is their church and their ministries. It has been exciting to see the youth mature and desire to serve God.
So I agree with the author and challenge our churches to take discipling our children and teens more seriously.

By: Preschool in Yorba linda

Preschool in Yorba linda — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:07:46 +0000

Right from the start itself, children must be given the correct bit of knowledge and information about Church and God. Unless they realize its importance and reason behind it, they won’t find going to Church compelling enough. The Kids Ministry in Yorba Linda works for such social causes so that young children remain connected to their religion.