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This
concept/idea is a work in progress...
GENERATIONAL
STATS (Source forthcoming)
Generations have their own
basic characteristics and are usually named to
reflect those characteristics. This is one of
the main reasons why methods of evangelism and
training evolve over time to meet the needs of
different age groups. Here is a statistical
breakdown of the past 100 years and how it has
impacted North America in particular.
1910-1946 (Builder Generation) - 65% of this group considered
evangelical.
1946-1964 (Boomers Generation)
- 35% of this group considered evangelical.
1964-1976 (Generation "X") - 15% of this group considered
evangelical.
1976-Present (Millenials) - 4%
of this group projected to be evangelical.
EXAMPLE OF A
GENERATIONAL SHIFT
Let's look at how the Boomer generation, listed as 35%
evangelical, has impacted today's society. There
has been an increase in perverse TV shows,
movies, and music. Pornography has grown by
leaps and bounds and is easily accessible to the
masses. Gay unions have been legalized in some
States. Many Christian symbols and practices
have been banned and removed from government
property (including schools and courthouses),
and 50% of marriages today fail as a result of
their values.
If all of this took place while Boomers who are 35%
evangelical came of age and exuded influence,
what will the landscape of our culture be when
the Millenials, who are only 4% evangelical,
come of age and exude influence? Already, today,
the largest group viewing pornography online are
those between the ages of 12-17. We've got
to get "extreme" and radical about our approach
to kids prayer and their part of the Body of
Christ.
CHURCH
SPENDING HABITS POINT TO PRIORITIES
According to George Barna,
there is a rate of return on ministry dollars
spent for various segments in a local church or
denomination. Barna's research found that among
children's ministries there is a 20+% return on
ministry dollars spent (children coming to know
Jesus). Among teen ministries there is a 4%
return on ministry dollars spent. Among adult
ministries, there is a 6% return on ministry
dollars spent. That's 20-something% for kids, 4%
for teens and 6% for adults. Yet on which
group do churches and ministries spend the most?
What ministry soaks up the most funding in your
local church? It is very seldom on the group
that gives the highest rate of return.
FRESH VISION
The national average of teens
and young adults who leave the church is 3 out
of 4, according to Barna. What is the statistic
in your church/ministry? It's worth finding out.
It isn't simply enough to entice kids/youth to
stay, they need to be given something more,
something different than they have ever received
before and at ages as early as preschool. They
need to be introduced to the power of the Holy
Spirit and put to work in the harvest as a vital
part of the Body of Christ. As we focus on a
fresh vision of training up children in vibrant,
power-filled ministry, we will see youth
programmes evolve to accommodate a more
spiritually active and mature crowd. I know
this because it is happening before my very eyes
in my local church.
WE NEED A
PLAN
Without a vision, the people
perish (Proverbs 29:18). Without a plan the
vision fades with time. How do we retain the 3
of 4 kids who leave the church after high school
and train them to work in the harvest? How do we
spread the word about how God is calling
ALL ages, including the least among us, pouring
out His Spirit (Joel 2:28)? According to one
youth agent for change (Ron Luce) here are three
points to consider. I don't have answers but
present an idea...
1) There needs to be an awareness campaign to educate
churches/ministries about these matters and the
need to raise up generations that KNOW God.
2) If 100,000 kids ministries around the world averaging just 20
kids train kids in the works of Jesus and would
double every year for five years, at least 32
million kids would be doing the works of Jesus.
Do you think that just might turn the world
around?
3) Provide intensive training for kids to learn to do what Jesus.
Focusing on learning to listen to the Holy
Spirit, becoming sensitive to the needs of
others, learning to pray with boldness, etc.)
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