In a brief post over on The Point (Charles Colson's Breakpoint blog), Kim Moreland quotes sociologist Robert Wuthnow's findings that says one in five "previously churched" young adults (18 to 29 year olds) has now stopped attending church.He cites as reasons why: 1) that these folks are marrying later and 2) while the church youth groups keep their young parishioners busy doing "youthy things," they haven't been given any solid Bible teaching so that they would own the Faith for themselves.
I wholeheartedly agree with Wuthnow's second point. Youth groups are quite often a sad joke with very little Bible teaching and even less inspiring and equipping young believers to be bold, non-compromising, visionary soldiers of Christ.
But Wuthnow's reason number one I find a bit bothersome. Why? Well, if he is pointing to the fact that married couples (especially those thinking about the positives of religion in home life and parenting) have special motivations to go to church, he is correct. However, I'm not comfortable with that. For, as Wuthnow himself might well agree, such "special" considerations shouldn't be necessary.
One should be involved in church (note that I say "be involved" rather than just attend) for the reasons the Bible teaches. Christians need ongoing Bible instruction, stimulation to love and good deeds, and the comforts and challenges of godly fellowship. They also need to be involved in corporate worship, not a mere emotional, music-driven experience, but worship as a family of God which leads to more effective individual worship during one's week.
Furthermore, this worship experience needs to go way beyond the music portion of the service. It must incorporate sharing in the Lord's Supper and baptism and prayer. It must also include a hefty dose of service -- ministries to one another and to the community that are best effective when done by many.
When churches teach the Word (sound, expository, exegetical sermons and classes), when they love God and one another, when they reach out and make their Christianity a vibrant, visible reality, they draw people (of all ages) to join in the excitement.
