What I Was Saying, Only NOT

The New York Times posted an article last Friday entitled, "Evangelicals Fear the Loss of their Teenagers." In some ways it's exactly the things I've been saying for awhile. In other ways it's completely different. The point of the story is that high-profile mainstream evangelical leaders such as Ron Luce, Jerry Falwell, Ted Haggard, and others are starting to flip out over the fact that teenagers are not sticking with the church. In fact, they've carried the data to extremes, proclaiming the number of those sticking around to being about 4% or soon approaching that number. Of course, this sends them into panic mode, or at least the appearance of panic mode.

I think that they have a somewhat convoluted purpose in their latest crusade. The best medicine for pushing people of apathy into action is to astronomically raise the level of fear and guilt. This isn't just an evangelical thing. At the very least its a western mindset. For further proof just look at things like anthrax scares, hurricanes, and the like. But I would contend that no group on the planet is better at pushing that button than evangelical preachers. And I think in this case they are using fear and guilt to stir up the people to do "something" to keep their teens. However, I'm not so sure these churches and church leaders are quite ready for action.

A few things, I think, are important to note. First, their 4% (or some say 5%) numbers are COMPLETELY out-dated, and unsubstantiated. It's an exaggeration for the sake of striking fear into people. That may seem odd, coming from me, as I've been saying for awhile that the church is losing a generation. However, it is important to be accurate and honest in our evaluation and NOT go to extremes or jump to conclusions just to get people's attentions or stir them to action. I think what you would get in that situation is a bunch of people running around trying to do something, without really a clue of what needs to be done. Fear and guilt aren't always so interested in what action is being taken, only that action is being taken. That way consciences are soothed.

Second, one thing that is important to note in regard to this issue is that attendance in church youth groups is at an all time high in our country. So, if there's a problem it's not just going to be solved by going out and getting more people in the doors. We've got more people now than ever before. Perhaps instead of a solution, could that, maybe, be part of the problem? Additionally, the exodus can't just be blamed on the current culture. That's an easy place to point the finger, but the fact that we're having kids show up in droves sort of blows that one out of the water.

Another important issue of note, and this statistic is far more substantiated, is that teenagers are generally considered MORE spiritual now than they have been in the past. True, their commitment in spirituality isn't always directed towards the church, yet their spiritual depth and awareness has actually increased in a lot of ways. Many are feeding their spiritual lives OUTSIDE the walls of the church. And that's important because the main focus of blame is often directed towards an "increasingly secular society," which I mentioned above. In the estimation of many, a secular society is pushing teens away from God and the Church. Unfortunately the previously noted points seem to contradict that. It seems rather than pushing them away it might possibly be causing them to seek him out in a new and unfamiliar way. This can't be said for certain, but the data that points to this possibility needs to be examined.

Finally, and this is the one that I think deserves some very serious consideration. Why do evangelical churches think they are the solution to the problem? Their approach to the whole situation could be seen as pretty arrogant. Number one, they don't really blame themselves for the most part. It's the secular culture coupled with apathetic parents, or just society at large. Sure, there is some blame to be had, but it "seems like" the blame is leading towards finding a better marketing niche, rather than leading to a true repentance and honest evaluation. I mean, perhaps I'm naive but it seems to me that a secular culture is always going to be secular. The world is going to continually be pulling at ALL of us. It's something that's always been around and always will. Perhaps it's not that the culture is becoming too strong. Perhaps it is that we are not adequately preparing or reaching students so that even in the midst of a secular culture they are living out the message of Christ.

Number two, they seem to just assume that some action on their part will solve the problem. Could it be that this isn't actually the case? Perhaps God is doing something different. Perhaps this isn't an opportunity for the mainstream churches to fix a problem, perhaps it's a time for them to look around, ask what God is doing, and ask how they should adapt and get involve in a new work. I know that's scary work for pastors to do because it might just mean the loss of job security and a healthy nest egg. It might mean the dismantling of denominational hierarchies. It might mean the relinquishing of the power and prestige currently associated with the guy standing in the pulpit. But if we're serious about really doing something then it's going to have to begin with an honest evaluation and NOT just some fiery sermon meant to scare the complacent troops into action. Just a thought.

**I use the term "secular culture" in this article as referred to by many in evangelical circles. However, I am very cautious about putting the labels "secular" or "Christian" on things, just because I think it fosters a delineation that isn't necessarily meant to be there. Another thought worthy of discussion.