28th Day of Lent- Luke 15:7- You Lost Me

The statistics are sobering.  59% of young adults 18 - 30 have stopped attending church after being regular attenders.  For many, the old pattern of finding a mate in your early 20's, having children, returning to church- simply no longer holds true.  It's a different world for our young adults, and a good place to start is acknowledging that reality.

To some extent, those of us who make up the "99" who are the church today, need to acknowledge that we haven't always done the best job of listening and responding to this demographic.  Perhaps we have been overly slow to change.  On the other hand, each new generation has to also find their own way and form their own communities, not necessarily dependent on the patterns that have been before them.

There is reason for hope.  As a soon to turn 60 year old, I can only be who I am.  To a 20 or 30 year old, 60 seems really old.  I get that.  I can't manufacture activities or a community that will meet their needs.  They need to do that, and they are.  Across our church denomination there are many new forms of "church" arising that are being led by and meeting the needs of young people.  They may not be gathered around an altar in front of pews, but perhaps in a coffee shop or around tables and a meal in someone's home.  These are ministries that are formed around the same fundamentals that I grew up with, God's Word, the sacraments, and service; but in new settings.  And, some young adults are, in fact, finding their way to more traditional churches like ours, finding ways to learn and serve, and finding meaning for their lives in their participation.

The Shepherd, the Holy Spirit of God, is at work seeking those who have wandered and are searching.  I can do my part in being a faithful witness to God, open to new ideas and ways.  But it's the Spirit of God that draws people in and creates new ways for Christians, young and old, to be in community.  That's the way it's always been, and will continue to be for generations to come.