great thought...very true..we are thankful for the over 100 20 somethings that speak into the direction of our church at rejoice

Awesome Post! Truth hurts, but leads us to change and sets us free!

True that...for any age group to some extent, but especially for twentysomethings. By the way, it is "couldn't care less." ;-)

One of the questions I find myself asking is how much of the onus lies with church to provide something worthwhile as opposed to the twentysomething's responsibility to be interested/devoted/faithful to something that isn't for personal gain and glory or doesn't appear on a 60" screen. Let's be honest, there are many twentysomethings that are disenfranchised with politics, education, reading, church...pretty much anything that requires deep thought. Look at those of us who aren't (disenfranchised that is) and you'll find that we are generally interested in these things as well. Do I think the church should do a better job of ministering to it's members? Of course I do, but I also think that twentysomethings don't make church a priority because they really don't care that much. It's one of the reasons two similar people can go to the same service but leave with very different results. I think that you make a good point about needing to show people that there is value to service and to worship, but I also am starting to believe that it boils down to how much I/we love personal pleasure more than we love God. We love our leisure; We love our friends; We love our money; but do we love our God? Please know that I think churches should make every reasonable attempt to minister to the people who sit in the pews and look for ways to make the message fresh. Our churches often fail in this endeavor because of biases, traditions, or just plain laziness, but in the end, there has to be a group of people who are not involved simply because it's "worth their while," but because it's bigger than them. (btw, Jacob, I think we should still try to make it worth their while. I am just trying to flesh out some things that I have been thinking.)

Brandon, I get what you're saying bro and I appreciate the very well thought-out response. The thing is, the church does have the thing that everyone is looking for! You would think that if the church really believed it had the one message that could change the entire world then we would do more then we're doing to get people to hear that message! One statement you made I completely agreed with: "I also think that twentysomethings don't make church a priority because they really don't care that much." That's 100% true. There's two ways to respond to that: (1) pass them off as just "bad Christians" and say "to heck with them" (literally!) or (2) since they don't care, and since this one message is paramount, do everything possible to make them see why they should care! The absolute bottom line is to figure out how your audience thinks, and do whatever it takes to get the message to them, because whether they realize it or not, they long for and need that message.

I certainly think we need to do all we can; I just get a bit frustrated with the ones who use , "I don't like this, and this, and this" as an excuse not to attend or be involved. It's almost like if it's not catered to me, I don't want to be a part of it. Reaching the unchurched is a completely different ballgame and I think you're right on there. I guess I am just a bit worried that we are going to perpetuate members who are forever on the milk and never move to the meat.

You know, the the thing that scares me about those people is that they might not be saved. There are several verses that talk about what will happen if someone is in Christ. "If you remain in me, you will produce fruit." "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." among others. Maybe there's just something about faith in Christ that these people haven't grasped yet. I think if you make it about the Gospel, then you can't give anyone an excuse. The old people, the middle aged, the young, the deserters, whoever.

Jacob, you're right. The church as a functioning, living breathing organism SHOULD cater to its audience. Its only audience. God. There are so many more factors than twenty somethings that make up a church and while I understand the twenty-somethings have fallen off the face of the earth in terms of evangelical christianity, IT's NOT ABOUT them. It's about Him. The church should provide an outlet for young adults to forge relationships and be involved and to want to participate in worship, but it's a two way street and no church that is made up of all types can cater to every whim of the finicky, restless generation. The truth is, the world is a fallen place and its only going to keep getting worse. So 20 somethings don't think church is as worthwhile as a morning ballgame. Sounds like a thinking problem. If the church is lacking something, then its lacking the ability to teach priorities and how Christians ought to treasure Christ and his work in their hearts above any earthly thing. I feel like sometimes our efforts to attract people can backfire on us when we go overboard because it sends the message that the Body exists for them, not for the glory of God.