70% Loss by Age 22

This ad landed just landed in my inbox.


Millenials (called 'Generation Y' in Australia) are definitely disappearing from the church landscape. I have my doubts as to whether this can be changed by a downloadable word document. Perhaps the church needs to download a change of heart.


70% by age 22 is an astounding stat, and there are two main reactions to it:

1. Church is perfect. These stats show just how [insert negative stereotype] young people are. It just proves how right we are to ignore this generation in all we do. End of discussion.

2. Hang on. 7 in 10 young Christ-followers will leave church in their next few years? What does this say about us as a church? Are we fully following Jesus? If we are turning off young Christians (with a different culture) then how much of what we do is Gospel and how much is cultural? Do we value what Jesus values, or or just the things that older generations value?

Option 1 is more comfortable, with less self-examination required, but i think option 2 serves us (and God) better.

Census Sensibility

Australia has just completed its latest population census. I've been quite closely involved in this one - being employed as a census collector in a nearby suburb.


I can recommend it, or any other similar activity, as a way to begin to understand your community. I've written before about how church tends to attract a specify type of person (Black Box Theory). Sometimes this can make us forget the breadth and diversity of characters in our community ... which is an important thing to understand if we hope to connect with these people :)

"Are You Listening?!"

This clip takes an earnest look at prayer - the pitfalls, the growth, the examples in the bible, and the frustration when nothing happens. Two tips ... 1. It's probably best viewed in full-screen. 2. There's a twist at the end.

Prayer from Granger Community Church

On a similar theme, author David Platt writes an interesting article on choosing between a "business as usual" religion that looks good by society's standards - and the challenge to...

take an honest look at the Jesus of the Bible and dare to ask what the consequences might be if we really believed him and really obeyed him

99 Sheep

Choosing a name for a blog can be a tough choice. One my options for this blog was "99 Sheep" - refering to the parable in Luke 15. (Today's chapter in my bible reading plan).

Jesus is asked why he associates with non-religious people. He explains that given a choice between the need of one person to find God, or the needs of 99 people who already know God, that Jesus would choose the 1 person every time. (and heaven rejoices that decision)

So what about us, the so-called followers of Christ? Would we, as a church, make the same choice? Would we put first the needs of those who are yet to know God? Even if it meant leaving 99 church-goers "in the wilderness". (verse 4, NLT)

I suspect we have a lot of room for improvement in this area. Or, as i've heard it described...

We've gone from being "fishers of men" to being keepers of the aquarium.

Followers?

In the promo for his video series, Francis Chan makes a good point.

Nowadays there are millions of people on this earth who call themselves followers of Jesus, but their lives look nothing like his. But in their heart of hearts they’re convinced they’re followers.

Poll Result

I just read the following survey result...

Question: What most helps you to grow spiritually?

26% - Personal Bible study
25% - Times of solitude with God
18% - Group Bible study
12% - Reading Christian books/articles
7% - One-on-one discipleship (mentoring)
6% - Going to church

Not sure of my final thoughts on this, but 3 things spring to mind.

1. We work really hard at item 6 on that list, yet it doesn't seem to really help people. What would happen if we channelled some of that time and energy towards more effective activities.

2. Did you notice that all the survey options are sedentary and in-house. Why aren't there options like: "Loving my neighbour", "Helping the poor", "Talking about God with non-church people" or "Volunteering for a cause I believe in"?

3. Is the sad answer to 2 that, as a church, these things are just not on our radar?

What do you reckon?

The Big Red Tractor

The Big Red Tractor - Francis Chan

I think this wonderful video speaks for itself. At face value, it's a great kids' story. But deeper down it's a great allegory for the church.

When they did things the same way "for many generations" there is just enough food for the village itself. When they followed the "good news" in the owner's manual there was an abundance of food to take to other villages. And the people became known for their generosity.
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ps. i also notice the initial difficulty in getting other 'tractor lovers' to actually follow the tractor book, rather than tradition. ;)