Description
A discussion of the most overlooked and underdeveloped facet of the modern church—how to keep college-aged people engaged in faith.Many churches and families have programmed a youth ministry finish line at twelfth grade. They walk their seniors out the door, breathe a sigh of relief, and let them disappear for a few years. There is an assumption they’ll return to church later, as adults with young families.Many never come back. They become less and less involved in church and faith and, eventually, absent altogether—they slowly fade away. Facing critical decisions that affect the rest of their lives, college-aged people need a faith community more than ever.A senior pastor, a college pastor, and a twenty-something—rethink one-on-one mentorship as the way to end the slow fade. They offer insights and suggestions that will help anyone get started fighting the fade.
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Many churches and families have programmed a youth ministry finish line at twelfth grade. We walk our seniors out the door, breathe a sigh of relief, and let them disappear for a few years. We assume they'll return to church later, probably as adults with young families in tow.The problem is, if we let them go, we may never see them again. Too old for youth group and uncomfortable with labels, college-aged and twentysomething Christians become disconnected from faith. Almost imperceptibly, they become less and less involved in church and faith and, eventually, absent altogether---in what we call the slow fade. Yet as these young people face critical decisions that affect the rest of their lives, they need their faith communities more than ever.So what's the answer? You. Coauthors Reggie Joiner, Chuck Bomar, and Abbie Smith---a senior pastor, a college pastor, and a twentysomething---offer insight and suggestions and make a compelling case for personal, intergenerational relationships as the way to stop the slow fade. It's easier than you think!
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