There are hundreds of churches across America of all shapes and sizes, denominations, and creeds; however, many churches today are facing the same problem-how to reach the youth.
The Barna Group has recently conducted a five year research project looking into this serious dilemma. The project was comprised of eight national studies, including interviews with teenagers, young adults, parents, youth pastors, and senior pastors.
The research uncovered why nearly three out of every five young Christians (59%) disconnect either permanently or for an extended period of time from church life after age 15. One-third said “church is boring” (31%). One-quarter of these young adults said that “faith is not relevant to my career or interests” (24%) or that “the Bible is not taught clearly or often enough” (23%). Sadly, one-fifth of these young adults who attended a church as a teenager said that “God seems missing from my experience of church” (20%).
A video has gone viral claiming to be from The West Dubuque Second Church of Christ featuring a rap song to reach youth. It shows Pastor Jim Colerick rapping, “Jesus Christ is my Nigga.” Needless to say it was an epic fail. Watch here for yourself.
"Rappin' for Jesus" was uploaded on Feb. 5th by a man named Brian Spinney, an Iowan father who claims to have helped the pastor make the music video a few years ago while he was in high school.
Researchers discovered that the website for the West Dubuque 2nd Church of Christ wasn't created until January, even though the church "closed" in 2004.
Let’s hope it turns out to be a fake. If it’s not, Pastor Jim and his staff need to attend the next Forward Conference and take notes.
If youth are subjected to these kinds of shenanigans, no wonder they are leaving church.
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