Sometimes you read a book because it has a snappy title. Sometimes you read a book because it has a cool cover, (no matter what the proverb might teach). Sometimes you read a book based on a recommendation. In this case, it was a recommendation that led me to read this book, "Embedded Faith".Carlton Johnstone writes from New Zealand, so the experience here is much closer to home than most books we read on these topics. And what he writes has been enormously encouraging.
Here's the deal: young adults are much freer than they used to be - particularly those who have grown up attending church. Once they are too old for youth group, many will start to attend other churches. This is a cause of heartache for many parents and church leaders, but this book has given me some hope.
Firstly, why do young adults leave churches and go somewhere else? I am encouraged by the answer to this, but I appreciate that the answer can be uncomfortable for church leaders. Young adults aren't afraid to leave a church so they can go to another church where they can feel welcomed, spiritually fed, and treated like adults.
When young adults looked
for a new church both preaching and worship featured time and time again
as factors in the decision-making process.
So, when young adults leave one church and go to another, we shouldn't think that they have abandoned their faith, nor that they have abandoned their family, as some might suggest. Instead, take some comfort in knowing that they are keen to grow in faith and will search for the place they believe that can happen.
Here's a comment that will probably surprise no one:
A common reason
participants gave for switching to a particular church as adolescents
and young adults was simply because of the presence of peers of their
own generation.
If I'm 21 and I have the choice of going to a church with a whole group of people my own age, or a church where everybody is my parents' age or older? Generally, I think we would all go to a place with people our own age. Keep in mind that such a church will also have music, preaching, and food that is relevant to that age group. Sounds attractive.
Now, just in case your one of those people thinking, "Man, this generation is so self-centered! If they were really committed to God they would stick it out here.", then you need to read this comment,
My findings suggest that participants share a preference for worship that is focused on who God is.
If you are interested in young adults, then this book is worth reading.
If you are a youth leader, and you would like those teenagers to continue being part of your church family when they are too old for youth group, then this is worth reading. And this will help you know what changes might be worth making sooner rather than later.
