I stand six feet and six inches tall. While this makes for sometimes miserable airplane flights to Malawi, Africa, it also meant that as a kid that I was outgrowing my clothes at a rate that made my parents sweat bullets. Although the younger brother in the family, I didn’t fit in hand me downs after my second birthday. I found myself needing bigger clothes each time the seasons would change.
It would appear that today the American teenager is in the process of outgrowing their need for the church. Much like I traded in my large t-shirts for extra-large, the average high school student in this country is trading in God for what they see as bigger and better.
Statistics are a go-to hallmark of communicators whether they might be in front of a church, business, or even a sports team. The statistics that relate to the American Christian teenager can be both encouraging and devastating, depending on which set we look at. Here’s what we find:
The encouragement:
It can easily be argued that the most effective and fruitful ministry occurs with students. According to Christianity Today, the average age of conversion to Christ, in America, is sixteen. We can learn two main things from that. First, the average age of conversion is indeed quite young. Second, the older a person gets, especially after twenty-five, the greater the chance of conversion diminishes.
It would appear that there is no greater area of ministry that can have quite the impact of student ministries. This should be an incredible encouragement to us as we seek to see young people transformed by the life-altering power of Jesus Christ.
The devastation:
Over 80% of students who grow up attending churches will fall away from their faith as young adults. This statistic is supported by both Christian research groups such as Barna to secular sources such as USA Today. The reality is that four out of every five teenagers in your church today will most likely not be there by the time they graduate college.
Now many skeptics will happily say that this is because they have “wised up”. They have actually received education and enlightenment at college or in the work force and have seen through the scam. They no longer believe in a make believe God that their parents or youth pastors forced on them when they were too young, dumb or innocent to know any better.
The pastors and parents would argue that these souls have been tricked and trapped by the schemes of the evil one. The world and all its desires have stolen their hearts. They have given in to the lie that has ensnared so many for so long.
The problem:
So, why is this happening? Sure we could point to the average tenure of youth pastors being a mere six months, we could look at the astronomical divorce rate in “Christian” homes, but there must be something deeper. There must be a root issue that is driving this disturbing trend. I truly believe that the issue comes down to nothing other than a lack of love and knowledge regarding the savior of each one of these students, Jesus Christ.
I am shocked on a regular basis to see less than 10% of students bring a bible to a chapel or session at camps/retreats/schools. Students rely on being spoon-fed information, funny stories, and hopefully some scripture from whatever person garners the stage for half an hour. They don’t dig into the Word themselves and never truly get punched in the gut by the Holy Spirit!
Students hang on loosely to God as they ride the up and down roller coaster that peaks during youth camps and winter retreats and dive bombs when they are left to fend for themselves. They don’t love Jesus because they haven’t met him in a personal intimate way in the scriptures. Christ said that if anyone loves him, they will obey his teaching. Further, whoever loves him will be loved by the Father and Christ will show himself to them (John 14:23). When someone doesn’t know Christ, doesn’t obey his teachings, they don’t love Christ. Without that love for Christ there is no revelation of the power of Christ in their life!
The solution:
What can we do about it? Church, youth group, small groups… these are all a part of the solution. But I would equate them to kindling. You can be the best boy scout in history and build the perfect fire complete with ample kindling that is sure to ignite the main logs of wood. However, without the spark, without the fire, you’ve got nothing more than a pile of sticks. Much like kindling; church, youth group, etc. are more than likely necessary components for what we hope to see happen in the lives of students.
So what’s the spark? How does the fire start? I believe, because it’s what God has told us, that the ignition needed to turn a student into a life-long follower of Jesus Christ is the Holy Spirit. (John 16 is a beautiful picture of how the Spirit came after Jesus’ ascension to empower believers and glorify Christ.) The Holy Spirit can bring about a love and passion for Jesus Christ that nothing else can. But how will this happen with closed bibles and non-existent prayers? What you are more likely to get with those components are closed hearts. And I believe that’s exactly what we are reaping right now with our teenagers.
Do you have kids? Do you know students or teenagers? Pray for them and encourage them to get in the Word of God. Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. God taught that to Moses and Jesus liked it so much that he used it on the devil when being tempted (Mt. 4:4).
By: Jared Keiffer -- visit the author's web page by clicking here
This article appears in the upcoming issue of the Pacer, a hard copy newsletter published by Finish Line Ministries International. To sign up to receive quarterly copies of the Pacer, click here
