Our churches still lose about two-thirds of our young adults. A primary cause has been identified as a lack of known reasons for believing this faith to be true.
For example, a study called ‘Fall out’ by Creation Magazine found a direct connection between young adults at university who stayed in their faith and those who had been taught rational reasons for believing our planet and life to have been created. In fact, every single young person who said their church or family had explained rational reasons for believing in a Creator-God was still in their faith. This finding is significant! Concurrently, many others were found in the study who had left their earlier faith.
Knowing why we believe what we believe is important for other reasons too. A person will lack conviction and strength in their faith if they aren’t convinced it is true. They will also lack confidence and competence for Christian witness. I mean, why stand up for something you’re not fundamentally convinced about – or can’t explain?
This lack of knowledge therefore feeds into an unhealthy culture of public silence from Christians about their faith. Our neglect in this area of learning while living in a sceptical culture has been costly.
A culture of confidence in the faith can be established – but this won’t come about through one-off teachings, or even a focused year of talking about the topic. People forget most of what they hear! To turn this tide, talking about reasons for believing our faith needs to become a habit. For example, what if every church for one month per year, were to play a short Q&A video during the offering time in Sunday services. Immediately after this the pastor/MC encourages members to confidently bring difficult questions they have about life and faith to others, to seek answers. This annual habit would feed into a culture of investigation and confidence.
Videos, booklets and discussion resources exist for churches’ that can help. What if we chose to address this known area of weakness across our churches?
The Shining Lights Trust is a strategic resourcing ministry, serving Christian churches.
It’s purpose is to help resource, encourage and aid the Christian church in the sharing of it’s message of God’s love to a world in need of hope.
Jesus spoke through stories. Of note, He never explained the meaning of the parables to the crowds. Their interpretation was left to the audience to work out. He did this for a few reasons – including the presence of hostile elements in His audiences.
Read a reflection from one of the contributors from Bible Society NZ and other Kiwi Christian leaders in our 31-day devotional, ‘Reflections of Life.’ It will help you discover the life contained within His Word.
Easter presents us with the most significant event in the Bible – and the highlight of our Christian calendar. Sorry, Christmas – but Jesus was born so that He could die; go to the cross, become the substitutionary atonement for our sin, and be resurrected for our hope and future
A heartwarming story that brings a boy’s first Christmas to life and teaches children about faith, hope, and the season’s true meaning.
Get your free Festive Fred booklets and share the story of the very first Christmas with the children in your life this festive season – we’ve got over 75,000 copies to distribute across New Zealand!
