Comments on: Why Are Young People Leaving the Church? http://www.realtimebelievers.com/blogs/2009/11/17/why-are-young-peole-leaving-the-church/ For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. - Romans 10:11 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:35:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jacquelyn http://www.realtimebelievers.com/blogs/2009/11/17/why-are-young-peole-leaving-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-2068 Jacquelyn Thu, 19 May 2011 01:56:44 +0000 http://www.realtimebelievers.com/blogs/?p=37#comment-2068 Erwin, you make some excellent points. Last Sabbath, a few of us actually discussed this very topic after a fellowship meal at a friend's house. Not everyone who may claim an earthly membership in this institution will ultimately be in Heaven, and it is equally true that there will be many outside this church who will be. I have been an Adventist since September 2002, and what drew me here was my love for Christ and a deeper understanding of His Word... not the church nor the people. Our church is in no way a perfect church, and as people, we are poor, broken, blind, and filled with faults. I have witnessed and even been the recipient of the very things that cause many, youth and non-youth, to leave our church, but I have never even thought about leaving. (I may choose not to attend a specific local congregation, but leaving the worldwide church never crossed my mind.) Why? Because my allegiance is with my Lord and Him alone, and through the study of His Word, I believe that the message and doctrines of this church is Biblical. Sure, this church is broken and filled with faults. We make mistakes, we allow ourselves to be side-tracked, we are often hypocrites, and many among us may be faking the whole thing. Like you said, "there are two types of people inside the church: One group is a true believers of God, the other is just simply acting." I believe that the true believers of God will humble ourselves to our Lord and allow His Light and Love to be reflected through our words, actions, deeds, attitudes, behavior, and life. In Matthew 5:16, Christ said: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." And He also said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32) If we reflect Christ in our lives, what a testimony we would be for Christ to not only our Laodicean brothers and sister within the church but also our family, friends, and communities outside the church. Erwin, you make some excellent points. Last Sabbath, a few of us actually discussed this very topic after a fellowship meal at a friend’s house. Not everyone who may claim an earthly membership in this institution will ultimately be in Heaven, and it is equally true that there will be many outside this church who will be. I have been an Adventist since September 2002, and what drew me here was my love for Christ and a deeper understanding of His Word… not the church nor the people. Our church is in no way a perfect church, and as people, we are poor, broken, blind, and filled with faults. I have witnessed and even been the recipient of the very things that cause many, youth and non-youth, to leave our church, but I have never even thought about leaving. (I may choose not to attend a specific local congregation, but leaving the worldwide church never crossed my mind.) Why? Because my allegiance is with my Lord and Him alone, and through the study of His Word, I believe that the message and doctrines of this church is Biblical. Sure, this church is broken and filled with faults. We make mistakes, we allow ourselves to be side-tracked, we are often hypocrites, and many among us may be faking the whole thing. Like you said, “there are two types of people inside the church: One group is a true believers of God, the other is just simply acting.” I believe that the true believers of God will humble ourselves to our Lord and allow His Light and Love to be reflected through our words, actions, deeds, attitudes, behavior, and life. In Matthew 5:16, Christ said: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” And He also said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32) If we reflect Christ in our lives, what a testimony we would be for Christ to not only our Laodicean brothers and sister within the church but also our family, friends, and communities outside the church.

]]> By: Erwin http://www.realtimebelievers.com/blogs/2009/11/17/why-are-young-peole-leaving-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-2067 Erwin Thu, 19 May 2011 00:45:44 +0000 http://www.realtimebelievers.com/blogs/?p=37#comment-2067 Thanks brothers and sisters for sharing your views about people leaving the SDA church at this time. I'm still skeptic of some reasons why people leave the church. Because in Matt. 13, the parable of the wheat and the tares is simply reminding us that there are two types of people inside the church: One group is a true believers of God, the other is just simply acting. In my opinion, it's not a big deal when some people are leaving the SDA church, it's just a confirmation of Jesus's parable. Another one is Matt. 25 which reminds us of the ten virgins. The first five have enough oil, the other lack of it. For me it doesn't matter how many leave the SDA-church or remain in the church until Jesus comes, what matters most is found in John 4:23-24, that the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and in truth. In this case, religious organization or affiliation is becomes less important, when it comes to salvation, although religious organization is very important to some leaders of the church for their monthly pay-check. Thanks brothers and sisters for sharing your views about people leaving the SDA church at this time. I’m still skeptic of some reasons why people leave the church. Because in Matt. 13, the parable of the wheat and the tares is simply reminding us that there are two types of people inside the church: One group is a true believers of God, the other is just simply acting. In my opinion, it’s not a big deal when some people are leaving the SDA church, it’s just a confirmation of Jesus’s parable. Another one is Matt. 25 which reminds us of the ten virgins. The first five have enough oil, the other lack of it. For me it doesn’t matter how many leave the SDA-church or remain in the church until Jesus comes, what matters most is found in John 4:23-24, that the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and in truth. In this case, religious organization or affiliation is becomes less important, when it comes to salvation, although religious organization is very important to some leaders of the church for their monthly pay-check.

]]> By: Jacquelyn http://www.realtimebelievers.com/blogs/2009/11/17/why-are-young-peole-leaving-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-117 Jacquelyn Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:41:51 +0000 http://www.realtimebelievers.com/blogs/?p=37#comment-117 Hello, David! Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. I am terribly sorry that such a thing happened to you, your family, and your church family. Thank the Lord, the individual was not able to swindle even more people. If I may be so bold: you and I seem to have similar personalities. We are the type that will not let a few bad apples sour our opinion on the entire church. When we are wronged or hurt, we may vent, but we ultimately take it as a learning experience; it makes us stronger, wiser, and, at least for me, more compassionate towards others. Unfortunately, some people are more sensitive, and it is not as easy for them to brush off bad experiences. Though they try hard to overcome their anger, hurt, fear, or depression, they cannot do it on their own. It is a good thing that we have the Creator of the universe, the Lord Almighty, to be our comfort and strength! So matter what our individual personalities or situation, we can fully rely on Him. My two favorite Scriptures passages are Philippians 4:13 and Jeremiah 29:11-13, and both have helped me through trying times. God bless! ~Jacquelyn Hello, David! Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. I am terribly sorry that such a thing happened to you, your family, and your church family. Thank the Lord, the individual was not able to swindle even more people.

If I may be so bold: you and I seem to have similar personalities. We are the type that will not let a few bad apples sour our opinion on the entire church. When we are wronged or hurt, we may vent, but we ultimately take it as a learning experience; it makes us stronger, wiser, and, at least for me, more compassionate towards others. Unfortunately, some people are more sensitive, and it is not as easy for them to brush off bad experiences. Though they try hard to overcome their anger, hurt, fear, or depression, they cannot do it on their own. It is a good thing that we have the Creator of the universe, the Lord Almighty, to be our comfort and strength! So matter what our individual personalities or situation, we can fully rely on Him. My two favorite Scriptures passages are Philippians 4:13 and Jeremiah 29:11-13, and both have helped me through trying times.

God bless!
~Jacquelyn

]]> By: david@thetestimonies http://www.realtimebelievers.com/blogs/2009/11/17/why-are-young-peole-leaving-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-115 david@thetestimonies Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:28:34 +0000 http://www.realtimebelievers.com/blogs/?p=37#comment-115 Well here is my 2 cents :) I am a newer adventist and being only 28 yrs old I think I might have a little bit of a say so if I say so lol. Well after I had gotten baptized we had a con artist come through our church and promise everyone money and to build a church school etc. Very knowledgeable with the bible, etc. Needless to say it was a con and a few families (including mine) lost everything! He was in prison for about 2 years (he is out now but was happily shipped out of another Adventist church this time with no harm thanks to our testimony), anyway for a young person who hated christian for many of these reasons I should have been totally thrown off. But here I am preaching sermons at multiple churches, giving bible studies and jsut as hungry to serve... WHY? because I feel God wanting a relationship with me and I with him... because it's easy to fault find and get down when people bounce on you ESPECIALLY church members! I feel that people that leave are for one reason: they never first and foremost were introduced into a REAL (not just perceived but real) relationship with God. The other is that they were never able to establish lasting relationships with people within the church and 95% of the time thats the other peoples fault. Just my opinion. Well here is my 2 cents :) I am a newer adventist and being only 28 yrs old I think I might have a little bit of a say so if I say so lol.

Well after I had gotten baptized we had a con artist come through our church and promise everyone money and to build a church school etc. Very knowledgeable with the bible, etc. Needless to say it was a con and a few families (including mine) lost everything! He was in prison for about 2 years (he is out now but was happily shipped out of another Adventist church this time with no harm thanks to our testimony), anyway for a young person who hated christian for many of these reasons I should have been totally thrown off. But here I am preaching sermons at multiple churches, giving bible studies and jsut as hungry to serve… WHY? because I feel God wanting a relationship with me and I with him… because it’s easy to fault find and get down when people bounce on you ESPECIALLY church members! I feel that people that leave are for one reason: they never first and foremost were introduced into a REAL (not just perceived but real) relationship with God. The other is that they were never able to establish lasting relationships with people within the church and 95% of the time thats the other peoples fault. Just my opinion.

]]> By: Jacquelyn http://www.realtimebelievers.com/blogs/2009/11/17/why-are-young-peole-leaving-the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-93 Jacquelyn Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:28:32 +0000 http://www.realtimebelievers.com/blogs/?p=37#comment-93 Hi, Ena. I am very sorry about your family member. Unfortunately, what happened to her seems to be the growing norm within the church. To me, there seems to be a lot of “talk” about why young adults leave the church, but very little actual “action” to fix the reasons why they are leaving… especially the hypocrisy and the indifference attitude. Recently, I have become more aware of the indifference that seems to be sweeping the church at the local level. We should be encouraging one another, building each other up, promoting each other’s endeavors, and comforting each other in our time of need. Instead, the local churches are becoming more and more self-centered, ignoring the needs of the members, visitors, and community. When visitors are not made welcome, when young adults are not given the opportunity to participate, when the church finds it an inconvenience to help others… it is no surprise people are leaving. That is why action is so important. We need to stop talking and actually do something. Take action. Even just one person can start the change that is needed. That is why I try hard to make people feel welcome and wanted. I don’t always succeed, but I hold to Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” I’m stubborn enough that I refuse to give up trying to change the indifference to compassion… even if it is just one person at a time. As Roman 8:31 says: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” We should definitely keep the church in our prayers, but while praying, we should also be active in pursuing change. That’s my opinion, at least. May God bless and keep you! ~Jacquelyn Hi, Ena. I am very sorry about your family member. Unfortunately, what happened to her seems to be the growing norm within the church. To me, there seems to be a lot of “talk” about why young adults leave the church, but very little actual “action” to fix the reasons why they are leaving… especially the hypocrisy and the indifference attitude.

Recently, I have become more aware of the indifference that seems to be sweeping the church at the local level. We should be encouraging one another, building each other up, promoting each other’s endeavors, and comforting each other in our time of need. Instead, the local churches are becoming more and more self-centered, ignoring the needs of the members, visitors, and community. When visitors are not made welcome, when young adults are not given the opportunity to participate, when the church finds it an inconvenience to help others… it is no surprise people are leaving.

That is why action is so important. We need to stop talking and actually do something. Take action. Even just one person can start the change that is needed. That is why I try hard to make people feel welcome and wanted. I don’t always succeed, but I hold to Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” I’m stubborn enough that I refuse to give up trying to change the indifference to compassion… even if it is just one person at a time. As Roman 8:31 says: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” We should definitely keep the church in our prayers, but while praying, we should also be active in pursuing change.

That’s my opinion, at least. May God bless and keep you!
~Jacquelyn

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