You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church... And Rethinking Faith (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
There's a dropout problem in the Church today. The Millenials (what George Barna calls "Mosaics") have significant doubts about the relevance and rationale of Christianity. In this followup to his fabulous book UnChristian, David Kinnaman examines why insiders are leaving Church and gives a voice to the painful, personal stories of young adults. Ever wonder why many young adults move from mountain top passion in the teen years to being completely MIA as twentysomethings? Kinnaman's detailed, and fascinating research convincingly demonstrates our need to reexamine the substance of our relationships and the shape of our church institutions. The Church needs to prayerfully and critically reconsider how we are making disciples, how we can rediscover a rich theology of calling and vocation, and how we can reprioritize wisdom over against information as we seek to know God. In part 1 (Dropouts), Kinnaman demonstrates that the problem with Mosaic dropouts is indeed a unique problem. The dropout problem is particularly distinct to this emerging generation raised in a rapidly changing culture. Mosaics (born between 1984-2002) have unprecedented Access to information, opinions, and worldviews; Mosaics have unprecedented Alienation and disconnection from relationships and institutions; Mosaics are facing new and unique questions to Authority, about who to believe and why.Kinnaman discusses three categories of dropouts: Nomads, Prodigals, and Exiles. Nomads describe themselves as Christian, believe personal involvement in a Christian community is optional, and are spiritual experimentalists. Prodigals have moved on from Christianity and usually have varying levels of resentment towards Christians and Christianity. Exiles are not inclined to being separate from the world, are skeptical of institutions, feel a strong disconnect between faith and their calling, are disillusioned by slick and shallow religion. In part 2 (Disconnections), Kinnaman examines six reasons many twentysomethings are dropping out. They find the Church to be: Overprotective, Shallow, Antiscience, Repressive, Exclusive, and Doubtless. In each of the following chapters, Kinnaman honestly and helpfully examines these six reasons and provides helpful 'Turns' for the Church to consider as we seek to hand-craft disciples to faithfully engage a new context and culture. Kinnaman ends with a call to return to historic, traditional practices, and orthodox and wisdom-laden ways of believing in order to nurture the younger generation. As a Church we need to rethink relationships and how we make disciples (hand-craft them v. mass production); rediscover a theology of vocation and show and foster ways of connecting faith to real life; reprioritize wisdom as a blueprint for what life is meant to be and encourage the pursuit of wisdom to relate rightly to God, others, and culture. I thoroughly enjoyed and heartily recommend this book. It reads quickly, is supported by piles of evidence, and offers balanced and thought-provoking ways of honestly assessing how the Church is doing as it seeks to minister to an emerging generation of Jesus-followers. To my mind, this book is a must for anyone involved in youth, college, or young adult ministry. It's helpful resource that invites believers, young and old, into a conversation about how we can continue to equip believers for the continued spread of the Kingdom and the fame of the King. Loved it. Definitely a recommended read for anyone involved in ministry concerned with the school-leavers to not-married demographics. Kinnaman's research is out of the US but much of it rings true in the peers that I talk to about why they no longer attend church. The reading is a bit hard going - a lot of figures and survey statements, but the unpacking of these results is usually clear. Kinnaman illustrates his points well with stories that resonate strongly, although some of his dichotomies are quite strong. The essence of the book is on encouraging a mindset that seeks to embrace the generation that want to be involved - with ideas like emphasising mentoring rather than preaching, accepting innovation rather than rejecting it. The proportion that he talks about is small (that is, he's not seeking to address the majority of 18-35's) but "every story matters" - each person is unique, and often it is the uniquely gifted who aren't able to find a place in Church - like talented scientists, musicians, artists and activists. How can we channel their passion for God's world and gifts while helping them live with the tensions? Will definitely provoke some thoughts in you and those you talk to about it.
What do You think about You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church... And Rethinking Faith (2011)?
A book about areas that the Christian church needs to grow to remain influential.
—Welchx5
Very good. Much to ingest, just need to grab on to something and do it.
—mehret
Read this during let summer, early fall. Brings up great points.
—AuraNova
wowza!!! thats all I can say................
—LuckyOneZ
