The numbers are staggering - 32,000,000! That is the number of students in the United States. The second number is even more staggering - 26,016,000! This is the number of students that do not attend church regularly. That is a whopping 81.3% of our student population!
Thom Rainer, President of LifeWay Christian Resources states, "If the trends continue, the Millennial Generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships."
So what is happening to them?
For many, they are simply following the lead of their parents. When those who have the greatest influence on them are not fully engaged with following Jesus, why should they?
Some students are attending church periodically, but have become functionally unchristian in the church environment. They know the "stuff" of Jesus, but they don't follow Him. Recently I watched a mother and her teenage son enjoying dinner together after the son's soccer practice. As the meal came, Mom began to give thanks, while the son was totally disconnected; looking around the restaurant to be sure no one was looking. Mom was attempting to lead her son well; however the son wanted little to do with it.
Others have tried to the "church thing," and find it lacking challenge. The student's busy schedules and high demands have caused our churches to make our youth ministries into a fun-focused attractional event. Drew Dyke, in his book, Generation Ex-Christian writes, "Youth ministries have become a place for free food, video gaming, loud music and little spiritual engagement." Dr. Tim Elmore of Growing Leaders calls this generation "Overwhelmed But Under Challenged."
What needs to change?
We need to refocus on a life-changing message of Jesus. Currently I am working with several people from around the United States planning a strategic gathering entitled "Accelerate." We are working to pull together over 600 Youth Ministry Leaders to help us create a strategy to reach Every student in Every school in Every community.
Breaking down "Every"
I have been wrestling with the enormity of the number 32,000,000. How can I help reach every student? Thirty-two million seems so far out of reach. Recently I was struck with this thought; "EVERY drop of rain is responsible for a flood." I alone cannot reach 32,000,000 students. However, with 600 youth ministry leaders attending Accelerate, and the thousands they influence, WE together can reach more. We are Better Together! I have to take the responsibility for the "Every" that I know. EVERY has a name, and the EVERY that I know are MY responsibility. This is not a task for one person, one church, one denomination, or one organization. This is an opportunity for every individual to reach the "Every" that we know!
I am asking you to join me:
- Pray for the Every that you know.
- Look around at your students or the students you know. Are there other students around them? Who is there for them? Who is offering them the message of hope; the message of Jesus?
- Pray the 9:38 Prayer that the "Lord of the harvest will send workers into His fields" (Matthew 9:38) and that someone will journey with these students. God help us stay faithful to Paul's challenge in Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…"
- Focus your network on the "Every" in your community. Imagine if every local network prayed and worked together to share the gospel with every teenager, and equipped them to reach their generation. If it's just up to the adults, it will be overwhelming. But if we are equipping adults AND students to be missionaries, envision a sweeping movement of God's Spirit that literally reaches every student.
Could "Every" become a reality where you live?
We would love to help you develop a solid action plan for your network – one that will build your vision into a workable "Every student" strategy. That is one of the outcomes of Accelerate in November. Sign up now to get the lowest rate!