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Regardless of where a church is on the theological and political spectrum, all churches have always been interested in and concerned about youth. There are many reasons for this that exist at the same time and with varying degrees of intensity. As volunteer organizations, churches know that their survival depends on the continual and prolonged inclusion of new people. Churches also know that the age-range from middle school through college is when people are most receptive to the Gospel. Churches also have the desire to provide pastoral care to all within their ministries, including young people.
However, with the reality of the growing diversity and pluralism in the United States and also the increasing decline of Christianity in our nation, churches have been especially focused upon this issue of youth, because, if the statistics are accurate, it is young people who are the primary ones opting out of church.
This episode focuses upon what is going on with young people today in general and also what is going on with those young people who are Christians.
My guest is Laura Addis. Laura Addis has been involved in youth ministry since 2000 in both staff and volunteer roles. She currently serves as the Ministry Associate with Students at First Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina, as Director of Programs for Life in Trinity Ministry, and as a consultant for Ministry Architects. Laura has regularly written for various youth magazines, online sites, and curriculum publishers.
The music for this episode is from a clip of a song called ‘Father Let Your Kingdom Come’ which is found on The Porter’s Gate Worship Project Work Songs album and is used by permission by The Porter’s Gate Worship Project. You can learn more about the album and the Worship Project at theportersgate.com.