Before reading this post it will be a good idea to read the book, "You Lost Me," by David Kinnaman or listen to our book review via podcast.
Most of my ministry training has been through working at Youth Camps. The one question that has plagued my mind the last few years is, "Why do students have a hard time staying with there commitment to Christ?" I generally, lead towards the conclusion that the church was not doing a great job discipling these students who committed there life to Christ during a camp or convention program. Now I am thinking, "what if the camps/conventions are the culprit?"
The typical outline for camp/conventions when it comes to the message is: 1.) Sin, bondage, hell 2.) Jesus, freedom, salvation 3.) Growth, discipleship. In a way, most youth camps and/or conventions follow a subtle pattern to the preaching during the Great Awakenings. You start heavy with the sin. hell preaching then towards the end talk about salvation and people will flock with tears to the alter and repent from there sinful life. Conventions and camps do the same thing, some camps are identical to the Great Awakenings pattern while others try to find a healthy balance between the sin and salvation.
The issue that all this boils down to is Guilt. Students may screw up and because of what they learn from these establishments is that they are sinners which makes them feel guilty for what they have done. Instead of asking for forgiveness and grace, they hold on to that guilt and feel like they let God down and that He is disappointed in them. They then carry this lie with them until the next camp/convention where they can finally let the guilt go. However, once they hit that ripe old age of 18, they carry the guilt with them and never have the opportunity to lay it down at the alter.
I would love to hear out readers reactions to this post or any thoughts you have about why young adults are leaving the Church.
