Where are the Children? (By Lora Lamberth)

I had the privilege of attending an online webinar talking about the reason we are losing our kids in church. Did you know that 40% of our youth drop out of church by the 6^th grade?  70 -80% drop out by the end of High school!  Interesting statistics contained in the webinar as quoted from George McDowell’s book The Last Christian Generation (a very good read I would highly recommend) suggested that there are many reasons kids drop out of church and how we can help prevent this from happening.

1.      Parents are the key as well as church leaders and members. It is our responsibility to make church a priority and to be authentic in our lives as Christians. Children judge by actions more than words.

2.   We are not the world! It is important to live a life of sanctification and show the difference between light/dark.  We need to model/teach/reinforce Biblical morals and principles inside and outside of church.

3.   We aren’t preparing them for battle. As a church family we need to stand in the gap for our youth until they can stand on their own. We need to teach them how to put on the full armor of God and how to resist the enemy- leading by example.

4.    As a church family it is our right and responsibility to mentor our youth. Our youth need one-on-one disciplining and mentoring. We need to teach them how to defend their faith and how to become disciples.

5.   Lack of prayer – spiritual battles are best fought on our knees. We need to fight for our youth.

6.   Have expectations and hold our youth accountable. Encourage and support them – love them through the hard times – pray with them – reach out to them – be an example and a guiding force in their lives.

I am so proud of all our youth and how they are growing and bonding. I am so thankful that our church family stands in the gap for our youth and models a right and true relationship with our Heavenly Father. Our youth are so blessed to be a part of a church that is mission minded and disciple driven.

Please prayerfully consider becoming a mentor working one-on-one with one of our youth. I promise you both will be blessed.

God bless,

Lora Lamberth