Comments on: What young adults “want” in a church http://www.journeyguy.com/what-young-adults-want-in-a-church/ Life, adventure and faith in south Arkansas Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:25:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Jeff http://www.journeyguy.com/what-young-adults-want-in-a-church/#comment-1183 Jeff Fri, 09 Feb 2007 03:12:56 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/archives/601#comment-1183 <b>One of the things that I vehemently disagree with is some of Barna's intimations that believers can do without the "church." I know what he and others mean by that, but others do not, many of them using his and other's writings as an excuse to not be a part of a community of believers. They use the worn-out and tired mantra of "As long as me adn my family are loving God, we don't need the church." It's not the "church" that is ultimately their problem but the body of Christ. It's obvious that there are few churches (and in some locales, VERY few) that are truly seeking to glorify Christ and make authentic disciples, but that does not give any of us the luxury of checking out of loving, Christ-like community. It is in community that we experience grace, transformation, love, challenge, and growth. Just a high horse that I'll climb down from now... ;) </b> One of the things that I vehemently disagree with is some of Barna’s intimations that believers can do without the “church.” I know what he and others mean by that, but others do not, many of them using his and other’s writings as an excuse to not be a part of a community of believers.

They use the worn-out and tired mantra of “As long as me adn my family are loving God, we don’t need the church.”

It’s not the “church” that is ultimately their problem but the body of Christ. It’s obvious that there are few churches (and in some locales, VERY few) that are truly seeking to glorify Christ and make authentic disciples, but that does not give any of us the luxury of checking out of loving, Christ-like community.

It is in community that we experience grace, transformation, love, challenge, and growth.

Just a high horse that I’ll climb down from now… ;)

]]> By: dean http://www.journeyguy.com/what-young-adults-want-in-a-church/#comment-1161 dean Thu, 08 Feb 2007 06:50:51 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/archives/601#comment-1161 i couldnt agree more with the conclusions drawn in these articles. ow churches can be so arrogant as to ignore this demographic is beyond me, and they do it at their own peril. these conclusions, taken along with the findings of some recent barna surveys, would indicate that churches are slow at best, and deny the need at worst, to do what it takes to reach young adults. a large number of what barna refers to as revolutionaries are finding it more expedient to go it alone, rather than do ministry under the auspices of a local church because many local bodies are simply out of touch with their surroundings. additionally, house churches are beginning to gain momentum, as folks who wish to go deeper in their walk, and who yearn for a sense of community, begin to explore this avenue of fellowship and discipleship. if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got. i couldnt agree more with the conclusions drawn in these articles. ow churches can be so arrogant as to ignore this demographic is beyond me, and they do it at their own peril. these conclusions, taken along with the findings of some recent barna surveys, would indicate that churches are slow at best, and deny the need at worst, to do what it takes to reach young adults. a large number of what barna refers to as revolutionaries are finding it more expedient to go it alone, rather than do ministry under the auspices of a local church because many local bodies are simply out of touch with their surroundings. additionally, house churches are beginning to gain momentum, as folks who wish to go deeper in their walk, and who yearn for a sense of community, begin to explore this avenue of fellowship and discipleship. if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you always got.

]]> By: Jerry James http://www.journeyguy.com/what-young-adults-want-in-a-church/#comment-1120 Jerry James Fri, 02 Feb 2007 23:02:45 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/archives/601#comment-1120 Amen. Amen.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.journeyguy.com/what-young-adults-want-in-a-church/#comment-1119 Jeff Fri, 02 Feb 2007 20:42:37 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/archives/601#comment-1119 <b>Jerry, this was a profound entry, and I <i>really</i> appreciate the time you took to sort it out. I understand what you're saying about how all humanity longs for what only God can fill. St. Augustine said that our hearts can only find rest in Him. However, this longing is mostly unrealized and unfulfilled in most people. It takes humble, consistent, creative, and at times prophetic communication to match people's innermost desires with truth. </b> Jerry, this was a profound entry, and I really appreciate the time you took to sort it out.

I understand what you’re saying about how all humanity longs for what only God can fill. St. Augustine said that our hearts can only find rest in Him.

However, this longing is mostly unrealized and unfulfilled in most people.

It takes humble, consistent, creative, and at times prophetic communication to match people’s innermost desires with truth.

]]> By: K.T. http://www.journeyguy.com/what-young-adults-want-in-a-church/#comment-1116 K.T. Fri, 02 Feb 2007 02:13:54 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/archives/601#comment-1116 All of those entries hit the nail on the head!!!!!I am in that age category,as is my husband.We do not attend church,we have,but have not found a church home yet.When we discuss a church family, these are some of the reasons we discuss,not necessarily ordered like that,but they are of much importance to us.I will refrain from voicing my own personal opinions on the subject,but nonetheless,we are still searching in a hit and miss fashion....and one day we will find a home. All of those entries hit the nail on the head!!!!!I am in that age category,as is my husband.We do not attend church,we have,but have not found a church home yet.When we discuss a church family, these are some of the reasons we discuss,not necessarily ordered like that,but they are of much importance to us.I will refrain from voicing my own personal opinions on the subject,but nonetheless,we are still searching in a hit and miss fashion….and one day we will find a home.

]]> By: Jerry James http://www.journeyguy.com/what-young-adults-want-in-a-church/#comment-1114 Jerry James Thu, 01 Feb 2007 23:36:20 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/archives/601#comment-1114 I believe there are seven longings of the heart that are God given. These are the things that people long for at the heart level in their families, relationships, work, school and . . ."Church". . Longing #1: The longing for assurance of being enjoyed by God and then by our families and friends. We long for the knowledge that God loves us, and enjoys us (likes us) even though we are weak and imperfect. We long for this from our friends, family and church as well. . Longing #2: There is a craving in every human spirit to be fascinated and to marvel. We want to say a really big, "WOW! God is really like that?" We long for God to fascinate us with His creation, His plans and His presence. . Longing #3: Every one of us longs to possess beauty and to feel beautiful inside and out. God imparts His beauty of righteousness through redemption to formerly demonized, hopeless, sin-ridden people. So we are drawn to God (church) because of His power to make us beautiful and to see how beautiful He is. We want God to say, "Wow . . . you are such a beautiful person." . Longing #4: In the core of our being, we long to be successful and great in the eyes of God, our family, friends and fellow believers in Christ. It is not a sin to want to be great. We cannot repent of the God-given longing to be great, but only of pursuing it in a wong way. Jesus declares that His people will one day be exalted to His very right hand. How great is that! In Jesus, we marry into indescribable wealth and power as heirs of God's throne. We want to be great, and the message of the church must include the way to get there. . Longing #6: We long to be passionate of Jesus and His purposes for us and the world. We desire the ability to give the deepest affection of our hearts back to God in worship and service. The joy of being "lovesick" over God is exhilarating. We long to love Him rightly. . Longing #7: The longing to make a deep and lasting impact. We long to give the cup of cold water because it matters . . . forever! We desire to make a contribution to the lives of those we care about. God designed us to long to make a difference in the lives of others. We delight to share things that cause others to be changed and brought into joy and goodness. This longing is satisfied by service that results in eternal impact and rewards. God esteems or contribution and remembers forever. . I believe that when people find fullfillment and satisfaction in our churches concerning these basic longings . . . they will come. I believe there are seven longings of the heart that are God given. These are the things that people long for at the heart level in their families, relationships, work, school and . . .”Church”.
.
Longing #1: The longing for assurance of being enjoyed by God and then by our families and friends. We long for the knowledge that God loves us, and enjoys us (likes us) even though we are weak and imperfect. We long for this from our friends, family and church as well.
.
Longing #2: There is a craving in every human spirit to be fascinated and to marvel. We want to say a really big, “WOW! God is really like that?” We long for God to fascinate us with His creation, His plans and His presence.
.
Longing #3: Every one of us longs to possess beauty and to feel beautiful inside and out. God imparts His beauty of righteousness through redemption to formerly demonized, hopeless, sin-ridden people. So we are drawn to God (church) because of His power to make us beautiful and to see how beautiful He is. We want God to say, “Wow . . . you are such a beautiful person.”
.
Longing #4: In the core of our being, we long to be successful and great in the eyes of God, our family, friends and fellow believers in Christ. It is not a sin to want to be great. We cannot repent of the God-given longing to be great, but only of pursuing it in a wong way. Jesus declares that His people will one day be exalted to His very right hand. How great is that! In Jesus, we marry into indescribable wealth and power as heirs of God’s throne. We want to be great, and the message of the church must include the way to get there.
.
Longing #6: We long to be passionate of Jesus and His purposes for us and the world. We desire the ability to give the deepest affection of our hearts back to God in worship and service. The joy of being “lovesick” over God is exhilarating. We long to love Him rightly.
.
Longing #7: The longing to make a deep and lasting impact. We long to give the cup of cold water because it matters . . . forever! We desire to make a contribution to the lives of those we care about. God designed us to long to make a difference in the lives of others. We delight to share things that cause others to be changed and brought into joy and goodness. This longing is satisfied by service that results in eternal impact and rewards. God esteems or contribution and remembers forever.
.
I believe that when people find fullfillment and satisfaction in our churches concerning these basic longings . . . they will come.

]]> By: Jim http://www.journeyguy.com/what-young-adults-want-in-a-church/#comment-1111 Jim Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:54:19 +0000 http://www.journeyguy.com/archives/601#comment-1111 Well, what-do-you-know? Finally somebody listened to me! I've been screaming this stuff for at least 3 years! The greatest gap in today's church is 18-35 year olds! It's as though churches don't want them after they graduate high school until they are married! This is truly a slap in the face to todays church. THANK GOD! Maybe this type of information from these types of sources will wake some people up! I truly believe that if churches want to grow and be successful in the 21st Century, this is the age group that MUST be targeted! Thanks for sharing these articles! Well, what-do-you-know? Finally somebody listened to me! I’ve been screaming this stuff for at least 3 years! The greatest gap in today’s church is 18-35 year olds! It’s as though churches don’t want them after they graduate high school until they are married! This is truly a slap in the face to todays church. THANK GOD! Maybe this type of information from these types of sources will wake some people up!
I truly believe that if churches want to grow and be successful in the 21st Century, this is the age group that MUST be targeted! Thanks for sharing these articles!

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