a sad statistic

I find it disheartening that as I continually come across people of my past, those from elementary school, high-school, camp life etc. I am seeing a horrible statistic come to reality that many young people walk away from the church. Only 50% (maybe less) of my graduating class {from a Christian school} still show spiritual fruit and growth in their walk with the Lord. A large number of people from past churches and youth groups have also evidently decided to change paths. 

Maybe church was too big of a commitment,

maybe God was too big of a picture, 

maybe the narrow path was too demanding,

maybe the world was too enticing, 

or maybe they never really grasped the saving love and grace of God.

"Nearly three out of every five young Christians disconnect from their churches after the age of 15" (http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-why-young-christians-leave-the-church-56722/)

Thats a big number, and its a growing number.

We can't focus on the problem. 

We need to focus on the solution.

We need to focus on the individual. Hearing their story, 

listening to their questions, understanding their frustrations. 

Too often do Christians sit around in circles and look outside their walls and see many that have stopped attending church, maybe even have openly admitted that 'Jesus doesn't seem to make sense anymore'. We watch it happen, we talk about it but what do we DO about it? What steps are we taking among the people who are in OUR reach to encourage them with the love of Christ.

Maybe we have a conversation once or twice with someone who has left the church, but then we get frustrated and we give up. Maybe we leave it for someone else to handle. Maybe we believe, 'if they are meant to be saved, God will make it happen..."

Enough is Enough.

Its time to get to work.

We need to be intentional about sharing the love of Christ.

We need to have real conversations with people,

most of them will have hard questions, painful stories and real struggles with sin.

There needs to be room for people to TALK honestly.

We need to make the focus:

Showing others the amazing and saving love and grace of Jesus Christ.