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Sobering realities in the church |
A recent study shows some sobering realities for our churches, that we at Discipleship Ministries take seriously. Their report says:
| A new study by The Barna Group conducted among 16- to 29-year-olds shows that a new generation is more skeptical of and resistant to Christianity than were people of the same age just a decade ago, when the vast majority of Americans outside the Christian faith felt favorably toward Christianity’s role in society. Currently, however, just 16 percent of non-Christians in their late teens and twenties said they have a "good impression" of Christianity. (www.barna.org ) |
Sociologist and Lancaster Conference pastor Conrad Kanagy also has an analysis of the state of the Mennonite Church that is important to take note of. In his new book, Road Signs for the Journey, the data shows that our churches are shrinking (losing 21,000 people over 17 years), aging (70 percent of our members are over 45), and increasingly irrelevant to the next generation.
But God is raising up the next generation to take on the task of reaching its peers – and the world – for the sake of the gospel. It will take youth and young adults who are modern-day disciples of Jesus, who have counted the cost and are willing to serve anywhere they are called, whether in their hometowns or across the globe.
Discipleship Ministries’ core value is to see this happen through discipleship in missions. We want to see a generation that is both being transformed by Christ, and transforming others. The work we in Discipleship Ministries do has a direct impact on the future of the church.
Take Travis and Bekii Kisamore, for example. Both grew significantly during their individual YES assignments; now they are married and serving in a mission internship in the islands of Southern Chile, as church planters.
A conversation they had with Stacy Nofziger, DM department manager, was key for their mission internship assignment. The couple expressed their apprehension at being called “church planters”; they didn’t think that they were qualified to serve as church planters, and they weren’t even sure what the term really meant! Stacy explained that church planting most often begins with simply building relationships with people – and the couple's whole outlook changed.
So many times, we think being a missionary or a pastor means we have to be a “professional Christian.” But the kingdom of God is really about relationships with people who are continually renewed in their Creator and Lord.
The Kisamores have now been in Chile for about five months. Bekii says, “We’ve been meeting with our friends for Bible study. They really want to learn and are open and honest. It’s amazing how God built this friendship. We want to honor God with this relationship, though we at times feel too inexperienced to lead this searching family. That’s why there’s grace, and that’s why there’s God’s Holy Presence.”
That sounds like the start of a new church.
Training Director Doreen Ebersole reports that the new YES trainees at the Harrisburg Discipleship Center are also beginning to experience the transformation that environment can bring. For some, HDC already feels “like family” – they’ve never been in an environment like this, with so many young adults, that doesn’t develop into cliques.
One participant says he used to “fill his life with busyness,” but now he is learning to slow down and find time to actually experience God’s presence. Another said that the training on recognizing the value of different “spiritual streams” opened his eyes to how the contemplative approach to spirituality fits his personality, and that he is experiencing God’s presence in a new and powerful way. Doreen says, “We want the Body of Christ to truly embrace the diversity of the different spiritual streams instead of seeing that diversity as a threat.”
As this group of young people experiences new vibrancy and freshness of relationship with God, what effect will they have on the church? How will they help to turn around the trends noted by Barna and Kanagy?
Your faithfulness in giving helps to make this possible. But as of November 30, our expenses are $38,794 more than our income.
We don’t believe this is the time to be cutting our programs – this is the time to be increasing them! Would you consider giving sacrificially with $50, $150, $500, or more? If you can’t afford that, even $10 or $20 would help. You might also consider giving regularly (monthly or quarterly) to Discipleship Ministries, to nurture and sustain this growth in young people, the future of the church.
It’s time to step up and work to change young people’s perception of faith. Your financial assistance helps to challenge those perceptions at their core by creating more disciples, young adults who are living testimonies of transformation.
Please consider giving online, designating your contribution for Discipleship Ministries.
Thank you.
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Positions Available
Join StaffX at the Harrisburg Discipleship Center to grow spiritually and in leadership skills as you mentor and serve others. Current volunteer staff openings: Community Outreach Coordinator, Mission Mobilizer, Office Assistant, and Prayer Coordinator.
Contact Sherrie Ober if you are interested.
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