Today my guest post is meant to go up on More Than DodgeBall. It's not posted as I type this and I'm assuming that the reason isn't anything worrisome (like the rapture has happened and I missed out...).
If you're one of my regular readers, head on over and check it out here.
If you're new here because of the post... WELCOME.
Now onto today's thought...
"I'm at that age/year in school when people usually stop coming."
Youth ministry has a number of distinct drop out points. Some are unavoidable and it sucks to lose people who have to stop coming due to changed circumstances.
Some are times when a convenient excuse arises to stop attending. You can serve them and support them as best you can, but plenty of teens take the chance.
The thing that makes it tremendously difficult to keep kids is a previously established culture of leaving (like the post I linked to said). You are fighting an uphill battle when younger kids have previously seen their peeps periodically walk out the door.
Eventually, there needs to be a generation that doesn't hit the exit in year 9. There needs to be a bunch of teens that don't slam the "eject button" in year 11 and model faithful attendance an a strong faith.
Not only will it help their faith journey (der!), but it will send a powerful message to the kids who look up to them. That message? Being connected to people of faith is more important than sex, booze, parties and exams.
Often, all it needs is one generation to show the way...
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