The Speed of Change
(Do me a favor. Before reading any further click on the WOLRD CLOCK take a look at how quickly the world is changing. Look at the number of deaths, of births, of suicides and of disease. Now, make a mental note of how many people are in the "Deaths" category.)
Last Sunday we talked about the book "Our Iceberg Is Melting" and about the fact that God is in the change business. Not all changes are good. The increased busy-ness of the average American, the fact that many families eat in front of the TV instead of having a conversation, the price of a starter home in Bothell - some of these changes aren't good. But there are changes that God orchestrates, and those are the ones we have to learn how to sniff out and follow.
One change we discussed was the fact that people between age 18 and 30 are falling out of church at an alarming rate. 70% of young people fall away from Christianity, and less than half return. This is a trend that, I believe, God wants to change. You might have heard that Sunday (or read it just now) and wondered, "What can I do?" Here's something that should give us all confidence and purpose:
Teens who had at least one adult from church make a significant time investment in their lives also were more likely to keep attending church. More of those who stayed in church - by a margin of 46 percent to 28 percent - said five or more adults at church had invested time with them personally and spiritually.
Can you do that? Could you be one of the five people that invest enough in the life of a young person so that they see that Jesus is real and worth following? At CGS we have a wonderful West of 50's ministry. I believe that group of people are the key to this solution. With their wisdom and compassion, they have skills and hearts designed by God that can bridge the gap between a young person staying in the faith and walking away.
Here's the thing. These young people who walk away from the church ... they aren't walking away from religion or spirituality. Our Youth Director, Kimberlee Richards, brought a few facts to my attention last Sunday. She wrote to me
"...there is evidence that as the number of young adults involved in the Christian church is dropping the number involved in Buddhism is rising. Its so interesting to me that the same age culture that seems to be running away from the church is running toward other religions, its not like they are opposed to religion and spirituality and simply leave the church to go to college or work. They have a thirst for spiritual truth, for hope and peace, and they are finding it in other realms.
My question is what can we do to draw that same spirit of hope and peace that Christianity was essentially built on and bring that back to today's church? It's not only Buddhists that are passionate about peace and hope. What can we do to share that message with youth?"
In other words, these young people are spiritual wanderers. They are turned off by the church, but probably not closed to Jesus.
What can we do? First, we can do what I mentioned earlier and personally invest in the lives of young people. Secondly, we can follow good examples of churches that are reaching out well. Kimberlee showed me an article about Skate Church, a group in West Seattle that is reaching young people in droves. No one is suggesting we do what Skate Church is doing ... but maybe there are things we can do that will bridge this gap. Maybe take some time alone with God and let the silence sit on you. In the silence, open God's Word and search for ideas, for insight into God's heart-the heart that came to seek and save the lost. Let your heart be changed to match the heart of Jesus, and out of that changed heart see what fresh ideas emerge.
Why do I bring this up? Because the world is changing, and I believe God wants it to change for Him. His goal is to redeem our neighborhoods, our city, and our world. He gave us the Great Commission, and those orders have never changed. We are to go to these spiritual wanderers and make them into authentic followers of Jesus. We are to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.
Go back and take a look at the WORLD CLOCK again.
In the time that you've read this e-mail, how many people have been born? How many have died?
If the Church of the Good Shepherd could do something to change the eternal destiny of 15 of those people, would all our efforts and sacrifice be worth it?
What if we could reconcile 7 of them to Jesus? Would that be worth a little discomfort?
What about 3?
What about 1?
As we move into the Fall, lets make it our goal, every day, to reach one more for Jesus. Lets stand together. Lets invest in the lives of a younger person. Lets share the Good News of Jesus with words, deeds and community.
I can't wait to see what else God has in store for us!
Standing with you;
Pastor Tim