Great news, world wide Christianity is growing at a faster
pace that it ever has in the history of the world. Bad news: in North America
Christianity is declining… rapidly. Based on Pew research in 2007, over ¼ of
all Americans (28%) have left the religion or faith of their childhood. We live
in a culture where although there are small pockets of growth within individual
churches and a few denominations, overall the landscape looks bleak.[1]
In particular, we are losing our young people from our churches and from the
faith at a staggering rate. Author Josh McDowell, an international speaker and
leader in Campus Crusade for Christ, says in his book The Last Christian Generation that 85% of youth drop out of our churches between 10th and
12th grade… 85%.[2] Let that sink in for a moment. 85%, more than 80 out of every 100
teens who have been a part of a church are… leaving. For some it may be a short hiatus, but the
growing reality is that many do not return.[3] In the fall of 2009 I attended a conference near Kansas
City, KS at The Church of the Resurrection.
At the conference, Rev. Adam Hamilton shared that the United Methodist
Church is in decline and that the age of the average United Methodist is
growing and growing. (Today, the average age is 57.) Rev. Hamilton said that
the average age is increasing at such a rate that in 20 years the typical
United Methodist would be “deceased.”[4]
I am unwilling to stand by and simply watch as our churches
struggle. I want to be used by God to be a part of His solution to grow
Christianity here. No simple magic pill exists to solve this problem, but… I
agree with Rev. Hamilton that one key component of any strategy to revitalize
and build the church must be to equip, mentor, and empower young leaders. We
desperately need their passion, their gifts, and their willingness to shape the
body of Christ. Simply put, my
passion is to invest in young leaders so that they can become skilled and
passionate followers of Jesus Christ. And I want to partner with
Christians who recognize our dilemma and are looking for a solution whether
that is in churches, schools, universities, para-church organizations, or more.
I believe and have experienced the truth that older
children through young adults have so much to offer our churches. Young leaders
often have a strong desire to make a difference in the world and, in the context of a strong relationship, embrace opportunities to grow, learn, and lead. When we enter into their lives, when we actively
listen to their hopes, struggles, and dreams, when we challenge them to live
lives of integrity and obedience, when we equip them to lead with skill and
passion, and when we empower them to make a difference RIGHT NOW for God’s Kingdom… watch out! God places within these
young leaders the ability to authentically reach and nurture people of all ages
to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Over the course of 9 years in leading children and families
within the church context I have learned that mentoring young leaders resonates
with the very core of who God made me. I truly love participating in God’s plan
to prepare young leaders. I learn so much from them along the journey as well.
And my desire is to not only develop young leaders first hand but to equip and
encourage other individuals and organizations to do the same.
On-site, hands on consultation; on-going, one-on-one
coaching; in-person training workshops; and comprehensive, tailored curriculum
are among the resources I can offer to an organization looking to invest in
Your Young Leaders. The future of the church in North America is at stake. What
will you do?
