Another article, I read shows 65% of the same Generation call themselves Christian. Of that 65%, 65% rarely or never pray with others, 38% almost never pray even by themselves. 65% never go to church. 67% never read their Bible.

First let me say, I am considered to be part of this generation, but just barely. As such, it disturbs me quite a bit. The trends are consistently pointing in the same direction. Therefore it is not only logical, but also probable to assume that this next generation will be even more likely to not attend church or participate in vital Christian practices such as prayer, or reading their Bible.

Reasons for leaving the church were given as well. 97% cited life change such as moving as a contributing factor. 58% cited their unhappiness with the people or pastor. 52% cited religious, ethical or political reasons as a contributing factor.

What bogus excuses. Last time I checked, there’s a plethora of churches in every city and town across the U.S. And while dissension between people and pastors maybe a legitimate excuse to leave A church, it’s not a legitimate excuse to leave THE church. The last, just makes me laugh.

It’s simple, my generation has left the most basic of Christian Principles found in Acts 2:42, where it says the disciples continued steadfastly in “the Apostles Doctrine, in prayer, in fellowship and in breaking of bread.”

It is likely more accurate not to say that we’ve left it, but that we never had it in the first place. The philosophy that the best way to teach high school kids about Jesus is through games and trips to amusement parks is tragic. Well meaning youth pastors and youth leaders mislead a whole generation, because we were never given anything of substance. We were given positive emotional experiences and entertainment, but never anything to stand on.

When we reached the age to make our own decisions, we found that we can be entertained far more in the world then in the church, and it no longer provided a reason to stay. But still a sense of “right and wrong” and a basic belief in the resurrection, necessitated some form of justification. Enter the excuses of: life, change, or troubles with people.

I was fortunate to find a youth group the summer before my senior year that actually taught the Word of God. Yes, we went to amusement parks and concerts and had fun, but I didn’t show up to Friday night Bible Study for entertainment purposes. It was because of MY relationship with God.

I know that by God’s grace, He will call many of the Prodigals home. But I think the most important lesson to glean has nothing to do with the Millennial Generation or “Generation Y”. It has to do with Generation Z. The next generation. Our marching orders are clear. Do not shun away from declaring the Word of God and do not shun away from putting a heavy emphasis on spiritual practices. It is the truth of the scripture, the whole council of God, the non “watered-down” words of Jesus, that have the power to withstand Satan’s illusion, and our kids are starving for it….

Sean Sage is the Pastor at Calvary Fellowship of Rohnert Park, a Bible Teaching Church.

via Young adults aren’t sticking with church – USATODAY.com.

“This is sobering news that the church needs to change the way it does ministry,” says Ed Stetzer, director of Nashville-based LifeWay Research, which is affiliated with the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention.