S-H-A-P-I-N-G Lifelong Faith Research shows that we have an 80% loss rate of young people in the church by the time they reach the age of 20. This means that on average, for every 10 children we have in the church today, 8 of them will leave the church by the time they are 20. It was quite difficult for me to process and take in this alarming news, as I listened to the opening of the Education Week of Prayer at SMEC. It made me wonder, what really are we doing wrong? This curiosity motivated me to grab hold of a copy of the Education Week of Prayer materials myself and follow thoroughly as each speakers presented on each session. During the week, we looked at 7 experiences that current research indicates children need in order to develop a lifelong faith and remain in the church. I have this burden to share it with you as we cannot afford to lose another young person. These 7 experiences are represented by the acronym S-H-A-P-I-N-G. 1. Service and Mission – involve them in community outreach and mission work 2. Homes Empowered – strengthen devotion, communication and love at home 3. Authentic Relationships – display a genuine care and affection for them 4. Participation – to feel a sense of belonging in the church, they need to participate actively in church program and activities. 5. Intergenerational – every church program should be inter-generational to involve them and make them be a part of it 6. Noteworthy Memory Events – Organize events that stand out in a positive way, that when they remember them, it bring a smile to their face and a warm feeling inside 7. God Encounters – they need to encounter God for themselves by knowing how all the activities and programs organized connects to God and his mission to seek and to save that which was lost. These children are future World-Changers of the church and if we do not prepare a solid foundation for them, too bad they will leave the church by the time they reach the age of 20. How can we help reverse this trend? When you see a child, stop and talk to them, have lunch with them, involve them in all church programs and outreach activities and show them genuine care and affection. If we faithfully contribute to these 7 experiences, then in 20 years, we will reverse the trend instead and retain 80% of our young people
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 22:58:51 +0000
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