Why do most teenagers leave the church by age 22?

by: Dave Welsch

Recently I was sent an article that said roughly 70% of all teenagers leave the church by the time they turn 22. Answers in Genesis President Ken Ham recently wrote a book "Already Gone" on this topic, as the number of young people leaving the church has grown more and more people have addressed this issue. As a Youth Pastor I am not only concerned with young people while they are in my youth group but also the decisions they make when they leave my youth group. The real success of a youth ministry is that young people continue to live for the Lord after they have turned 18 and left the youth group.

So why exactly do so many teenagers that were brought up in church leave the church by the time they turn 22? Here are a few of the reasons that I have heard,

"The church is no longer teaching strong doctrine"

"The church is to judgmental"

"The church needs to be more acceptive of the sins of society"

"The youth group is to fun"

"The youth group is to boring"

"The church is to liberal"

"The church is to conservative"

"They just need time to explore"

The list goes on and on, and truthfully many of these are valid points. If a church isn't teaching the bible then why would we expect God to convict young people to stay faithful to that church? If church is all about fun and not God then why would we expect them to stay in church when they can have more fun outside of church? Although all of these and other reasons someone may mention may be correct I believe they miss the mark. Changing the surroundings and circumstances that a young person goes to church in isn't going to change their heart. Maybe you can trick them to staying in church a little longer then they would have otherwise but they really wont be there.

Simply enough no matter what kind of church, family or youth group a person grows up in if they do not have a close personal relationship with God then they will eventually leave the church. No matter what age they are and no matter how many games their youth group plays. The problem is simply that most 2nd generation Christians (kids whose parents are saved and have grown up in a Christian home) don't have a personal faith. They have their parents faith. They believe it because they have been told to, not because its been real in their life and heart. I see it constantly, good kids who do what their told, attend church every week but they don't know God. They believe in God, they don't do certain things because of God, they might even serve in the church because of God but they don't know Him. Not personally anyway.

Rather then being focused on the environment are teens are in and hoping that we can make the perfect church so that they will want to stay, we need to specifically address where they are at with God. If their heart is right, and they have a close relationship with God then you won't be able to keep them out of church.

Wedding Plans are in the Works!

by Karen Finn

Hosea 2:19 “And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.”

God views us as his betrothed. Betrothed is an obsolete vocabulary term, rarely used in the twenty-first century. A more contemporary expression would be engaged or bride-to-be, symbolic of future promise and unity. What beautiful imagery to describe our value to God and position in Christ!

In Biblical times, a woman who was betrothed was commonly viewed as already being wedded; although-- in the physical sense-- the marriage had not yet been consummated. Oftentimes, the man would need to travel afar, temporarily separated, seeking a home for his future family. There was no mistaking that this “planning” phase brought about a heightened sense of expectation, for both the man and the woman. The promise of the bridegroom’s return was certain and imminent!

Isaiah 61:10 uses the bride/bridegroom symbolism and likens it to the joy found through salvation: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

With great care and detail, God fashions us in His image.

It is a labor of love, a love which is limitless in its knowledge and mercy.

The free will we have been given casts a shadow upon the holy, intimate relationship we were intended to uphold and honor.

Jesus’ dying proclamation “It is finished” (John 19:30) has been perfected, weaving the attributes of righteousness, judgment, lovingkindness and mercies into the fabric of our souls! The filthy, dirty rags of sin are cast off, never to be seen again. Our countenance is one of radiance and spotlessness. The garments of salvation completely cover us, purifying our souls and presenting us worthy to be rejoined with our Creator and King.

Oh! The joy that awaits us, realizing we are betrothed to him forever! It is a marriage vow which will never be broken, a celebration that will never have to cease. Christ is coming again for us, to return for His bride and to fulfill His promise to us!

When Friends Are Absent

by: Dr. Craig Brandick

While visiting a Christian bookstore I noticed that they were selling Mizpah coin necklaces. When a young man starts to “go steady” with a young lady they will often get one of these which is a coin with the words from Genesis 31:49, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other.” The coin is cut in half, one half for each necklace. The boy wears one half and the girl wears the other. The idea is that God watches between the two while they are absent from each other. Well, when I saw that I had to laugh, for two reasons. If you look up the context of that verse you will find that it was actually an oath that Rachel’s father Laban made to his son in law Jacob. It was guy to guy—and what he was actually saying was, “God help you that I never see you again.” Now why else did I laugh? Because back when I was maybe 14 or 15 I shared one of those necklaces with a girl. And I must say, “That was a particularly fitting verse for that relationship.”

Well, at this time, we are starting to say our farewells to a family that will be moving out of state. The Messers are following the Lord’s leading as Tracy has answered the call to pastor in Kansas. I, with my family, have devoted this blog to let them know that we do, indeed, ask for God to watch over them and bless them as they continue this journey called Life. As I looked at the Word of God this week and as I was preparing for another series of messages I came across some Confident Comforts from the Word of God for when Friends are Absent.

The Book of Philippians is one of the Apostle Paul’s prison epistles. He had been in contact with the church, and they had found out that he was imprisoned for the faith. Paul wrote to them to assure them of his good condition in the grace of Christ, and also that, even though they were absent from each other, he was still connected to them. So what do we do when friends are absent?

We commit to them in our prayers to Christ. (3-4, 9-10)

Though Paul was separated by miles from people that he loved we see his commitment to them in the words in verses 3-4. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy….” In verses 9-10 we see the content of those prayers that, “…your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.” With this blessing we learn a very important truth, and that is that our prayers for one another are not hindered by distance.

When I still living in Binghamton I received word that my sister had cancer—that was very troubling to me. I was in seminary at the time and was involved in an online class with other men around the country and around the world. Every day we would contact one another on the internet and share the findings of our research and receive constructive help and critique on our projects. When I heard that Theresa had cancer I went online and put out a prayer request for her to the class. Within a day my sister had people praying for her in schools and churches as near as Scranton and as far away as Mongolia. I am certain that when she gets to heaven my sister will be looking up those who huddled in a hut and prayed for her when the missionary brought word that one of the Baptist Bible Seminarians’ sister had cancer. Prayer knows no distance. But even Mongolia is still a short trip in light of that fact that our prayers travel all the way to the throne of God in heaven. Kansas is much closer. Prayer knows no distance.

Tracy, Erica, Gideon, Levi, Elizabeth, Caleb, and Leah; we commit to you in the fellowship of prayer. Know well that even though you have moved away from Walnut Creek Baptist Church, our prayers for you will still continue. Prayer knows no distance.

We commend their service to Christ. (5)

One of the reasons that Paul said he could pray for the Philippians was because of their “fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now…”

“The Philippian saints and Paul were partners in the things of Christ. This was true because they shared with him in his need. They gave of themselves to Paul and in turn to the cause of Christ for which he labored. But not only did they share with him in his need as a prisoner. They had also fellowshipped with him from the first day they trusted Christ. This brought great joy to the apostle’s heart.”^[1] And even though they were separated by distance—their fellowship in the Gospel was intact.

So often when we think of fellowship we think of what we Baptist do well—we eat! We spend time together. But the Bible speaks of fellowship not only in this sense, but also in the co-laboring for the work of Christ, in suffering for Christ, and in the joy of Christ. Fellowship speaks of the common bond that we have as brothers and sisters in communion with Christ. Paul focused in on their work of care for him—truly their fellowship was in the Work of the Gospel.

We thank you today for your labors in Walnut Creek Baptist Church—which of course does include an awful lot of cooking and eating; that really was a big cookie. When Liz, Danny, and I came here two years ago, you may have had no idea how much we longed to see families that are dedicated to the work of Christ. We had prayed that Danny would meet a young man near his age with godly character, and we are so thankful to know that you have labored to present a family that honors and serves Christ. Thank you so much for your service to Christ, to His church, and for the ways that you have ministered to us as a family. As you labor in your new work, remember that we are still in fellowship because the fellowship of the Gospel of Christ knows no distance.

We remain confident of the purpose of Christ. (6)

Paul told his friends that he was praying for them joyfully, but also confidently. That the one who had begun a good work in them would perform it until the Day of Christ. Paul had spent time with them in the past, and through this ministry there were several people who trusted Christ as their Savior. Among these were Lydia and her family and the Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:14-34). A pastor’s heart is as such that he wants to be with the people that he pastored. One of the hardest things that I have ever had to do was leave a church. People do not understand that a pastor must fall in love with the people. But Paul was in great confidence as he prayed for the Philippians. He was certain that God would continue to completion the good work that he had begun in them. And he would continue this work until Jesus comes again.

Does distance hinder the purpose of God? No. While you are moving away from us we are confident that God will continue his work in you. God’s purpose will be completed. Every promise of God to the believer points to this very thing. So of this we have no doubt. The purpose of God knows no distance.

We anticipate our reunion at the Coming of Christ (6b, 10b)

In the latter part of verses 6 and 10, Paul refers to the Day of Christ. This day will begin with the Rapture of the church. This was a favorite theme of Paul; he pointed to the Rapture of the Church as a time of rejoicing for us when we will see Jesus; and not only that but as a time of reunion. He wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

This was written nearly two thousand years ago. But the hope is still the same. The Apostle Paul told these believers at Philippi that the Day of Christ would come. And ultimately we would be joined together again. Prayer knows no distance, our fellowship knows no distance, God’s purpose knows no distance. And, though we do hope to see you and hear from you again on this side of heaven, our final destination will know no distance.

Tracy, Erica, Gideon, Levi, Elizabeth, Caleb, and Leah; "The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)

---

^[1]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:649.

Our Hope of Final Sanctification: Part Two

Dr. Craig Brandick

In last week’s blog we looked at the first part of our hope of final sanctification. Specifically, we saw that there will be no more separation from God, and there will be no more Deceiver. This week we will examine how Our Heavenly Hope is free of those things that frighten, sadden, challenge, and hinder us.

There Will Be No More Death, Sorrow, Tears, or Pain

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

(Revelation 21:4)

I recently took a seminary break from my church to work on this book. That Sunday I visited another church over the mountain from where I pastor. The associate pastor is a friend of mine with whom I attended seminary. For the past year or so we had kept in touch and prayed for one another. One of his prayers was for his father who was suffering with cancer. When I entered the church I was greeted by another former seminarian who told me that they had several people lose loved ones in the church in the last month; including my friend’s father who had died the week before. When I saw my friend I embraced him and told him of my sorrow for him. His reply was one commonly heard among believers, “He is not suffering anymore.” This was no off-the-cuff or stock remark for those who know the hope described here in Revelation 21:4; in our final sanctification pain ends. In the weeks prior to this I was grieved to find that another friend with whom I had served succumbed to the heart crushing load that he bore as a pastor. He needed to leave the ministry for a time of healing. Sadly, this was not the first, or second, or even the third or fourth servant of God that I know who has been overwhelmed with sorrows in ministry.

The hope that Revelation 21:4 offers is that those things which cause our tears will be forever gone. The voice of the mourner will no longer be heard, the sound of the ambulance will be silenced, and all of the former things will be passed away. There is even hope that the very memories of those things will be gone as well. Much of the Revelation is a direct quote or an allusion to the Old Testament—such is the case with Revelation 21:4. In Isaiah 65:17 God promises, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” John Walvoord rightly observes that, “The Scriptures make plain that not only the old earth and heaven pass away but also the details and associations that belong to it that would mar the situation in the new heaven and the new earth.”[1] Think of the hope that this offers for the person who has suffered severe trauma or has succumbed to some dreadful sin. Their wish is often for selective amnesia. There are things that many wish that they could just forget. As we continue into eternity the very memory of this world will be gone. Whether it is by a special work of God, or by the memory fading into the oblivion of time past all of the things that bring sorrow will be gone.

There Will Be No More Sin

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” And there shall in no wise enter into [the city]

any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie:

but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

(Revelation 21:8; 27)

Not only will the things that cause sorrow be forgotten, none shall ever be able to enter in. We often look at the warnings of judgment in Revelation evangelistically, “Repent or burn!” But God offers this to his people in a sense of hope. Our first theme teaches that God creates life out of death and beauty out of chaos. How could this fit in that theme? We must remember that God’s judgment is also an act of love for his people. In Revelation 6:9-10 John saw “…under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?^’” In chapter 8 it is from that very altar that an angel offered up incense to God with the prayers of the saints, and then took the fire from that altar and cast it to the earth thus opening the judgments upon the enemies of God and his people.

But not only is there judgment in view, there is also protection. Cities in the ancient world were protected to an extent by their walls and gates. No matter how formidable they may have been, cities often fell to marauding armies that would burn and pillage. But the final state in heaven will be safe. Nothing harmful will enter in. All those who would cause harm will have been cast into the Lake of Fire. The city will be so safe in fact that there will be not even be any need to shut the gate of the New Jerusalem (21:5).

Our final sanctification is in heaven. Until then we must seek to be faithfully obedient as God’s representatives here on the earth. But until then we may joyfully anticipate that time as our hearts cry out, “Oh, Lord Jesus; How long? How long?”

---

[1] John Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Chicago: Moody, 1989), 315

The Special Treasures in Life (Part 4 of 4)

The Treasure of Your Future

by Karen Finn

I think one of the most wondrous attributes of youth is the anticipation of the future, brimming with promise and expectation. Yet, most teenagers are intimidated with the decision-making process during their high school years. The future appears as a giant question mark!

In reality, the future is not promised to any of us. For those of us who have trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior, we do know one sure thing about the future, and that is: we will live eternally in heaven! That may seem like a long time away, but no one knows the time or hour of their death (another question mark!). We need to be prepared for the future, which means that while living in the present time, we need to be conscious of our attitudes and actions. And, we need to tell others about the hope and assurance they can have, found only in the work of Christ.

First John 3: 2-3 states: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” What joy should fill our hearts, knowing that this promise will be obtained some day! Our attitude and actions should center on being Christ-like, reflecting God’s goodness and grace. It takes time and practice to be more Christ-like, but how else would you rather spend your time?

If your future in eternity is a question mark, you can take the time to secure that right now. The Bibles says in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. We are all sinners. Not one of us is perfect and sinless; only God is, and none of us are holy (or perfect enough) to dwell in His presence.

There’s a penalty for our sin---death, eternal separation from God. Romans 6:23 tells us: “But the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Oh! What an awesome gift has been offered—that of security and peace and redemption. How foolish we are to reject or refuse it! John 3:16 declares the greatest gift ever given this way: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jesus was willing to pay the ransom for each and every one of us, young and old. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Our deliverance (salvation) from this eternal judgment is secured through the sacrificial death of His Only Son. The simplicity of the gospel message is trusting in His Son as the only means for obtaining salvation. Heaven will be our home someday, where we will live with our Redeemer and King. Romans 10:13 promises us: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Is your future still uncertain? Are question marks of doubt marring its effectiveness? Consider what God’s Word says about the future and claim His Son as your personal Savior. Why not acknowledge His truths and trust His Son as the only way who can save you from your sins (past, present and future)!

Treasure your future. Live a life of anticipation, secure in knowing that in His presence, you will dwell peacefully forever!!!

Our Hope of Final Sanctification: Part One

Dr. Craig Brandick

This last Sunday evening, Pastor Ayers presented an encouraging and challenging outline and message on Grace in Death. We who have trusted Christ need to make sure that we do, indeed leave a legacy of faith to those who follow. In keeping with the theme of grace and sanctification, I am offering in this week’s blog our hope of final sanctification. This was originally written during my time as a pastor in Wellsboro, PA, and was also a part of my dissertation on theological method in biblical counseling. As such it offers not only theological, but also practical and personal insight to the subject of death and of the end times. Due to its length, I will offer it in two parts to examine the time when we will finally be in heaven.

In systematic theology, the term that describes the last things is “eschatology.” There are many views concerning the end time. When is the Rapture of the Church? Is there a Rapture of the Church? When is the Kingdom? When will Christ return? These are just a few examples of which you may have heard. My goal today is not to revisit the arguments of the end. Rather, we are going to look at the hope that will be fulfilled when those who trust in Christ finally get to heaven. As I write this, our nation is embroiled in a time of war. As a pastor I have stood beside many flag-draped coffins; of some I knew their final hope. I have also had to deal with suicides of believers. Most recently I held the hand of a woman in the final stages of cancer who was looking forward to her final release from pain into the presence of Christ. Praying with her, I held her hand and repeated the words of Jesus in John 14:1-7:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

As she drifted into sleep, I was reminded again of how what is up there affects what is down here. We have hope of our final sanctification, when all is restored and we glorify God in the likeness and image of his Son. To view this hope, we will “jump to the back of the Book.”

There Will Be No More Deceiver

"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

(Revelation 20:10)

It is interesting how God describes the devil in this verse. He makes it clear that it is the “devil who deceived.” We have not said much up to this point concerning Satan, but it is significant that his main goal seems to be summed up in this one word—“deceive.” He was able to deceive angels to rebel against God (Rev. 12:4, 7). He deceived Eve in the Garden (Gen. 3:1-13). He is even able to present himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14).

From the very first temptation in Eden, Satan has worked to thwart the fourth theme of our sanctification which is, “God’s people must be obediently connected to God through his Word in order to be faithful image bearers.” Every temptation has been an attempt to get one to follow a word other than God’s Word. Likewise, every temptation has been to represent ourselves rather than God. But in the final state he will be gone. There will be no more deception and no more deceiver.

There Will Be No More Separation from God

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3; 22-23)

I recently heard a message on death and dying in which the pastor correctly stated, “I know plenty of illustrations that I use for sermons to help you better see the significance of God’s Word. But I have none to describe this. There is no illustration capable of describing the joy of heaven—none are even close.” What will be the most joyous part of heaven? There will be no more separation from God. While we may commune with him in prayer and devotion we must still today walk in this world. Our minds, our thoughts, and our actions express the separation that we have while we live upon this earth. We groan in anticipation of our final redemption, we long to go to a home where we have never been and look upon the face of our Savior whom we love.

Revelation continues with this promise in 22:4 that we will see his face. Not in just a singular event, but forever in fellowship with him. While we may look forward to rewards in heaven and the fellowship with those who have passed on before us, the most wonderful part of heaven is that our God is there. Here is where we see our final sanctification as well. John taught in First John 3:2 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” We will no longer struggle with impurity; for he is pure. We will be given new bodies that will not face decay or death (1 Cor. 15:53-55). And we will finally bear the unmarred image of the Son of God.