Paula IsaksonFaith Family ReunionReuniting Families Together in Faith This presentation demonstrates the new capabilities of PowerPoint and it is best viewed in Slide Show. These slides are designed to give you great ideas for the presentations youll create in PowerPoint 2011!

For more sample templates, click the File menu, and then click New From Template. Under Templates, click Presentations.1Statistics On Kids Who Leave The Church59% of young adults 18 29 years leave church 40 50% students in youth group struggle after graduationChurch attendance drops in the teen years

These findings can make you feel hopeless!

Used by permission from Brett Kunkle How many Youth are leaving the Church Conversant Life February 24, 2009

Statistical report from lcms congregations 20 Percent more congregations completed their statistical reports.They reported record losses of baptized members 46,728 souls.In the last 5 years, the LCMS has lost an average of 37,000 baptized members per year.

What is going on with on with our churches?

Used by permission: Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Director US Ministries LHM.org, Perspectives on the Latest LCMS Statistical Report, January February 2013, P 8.Used by Permission from David Kinnaman and the Barna GroupDavid Kinnaman You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving the Church YouTube

Video Presentation from YouTube by David Kinnaman and the Barna Group:http://youtu.be/eD1iWqPERNw

What Went Wrong? Did I Do Enough? 1TABOO SUBJECT 2DONT TALK ABOUT IT

DONT EMBARRASS 3ALL ALONEGUILTSHAME5Reach Out To Parents Whose Kids Have Left The ChurchCreate A CommunityFaith Family Reunion Is An Initiative Designed To:

6Connect Parents With Other Parents Going Through Same ThingCreate A Community

7Open Up Communication To Create Understanding Between Kids and ParentsBridge The Gap

8Share Experiences, Testimonies And Encouraging WordsFaith Builders

9Receive encouragement to deal with a seemingly hopeless situation. 1BRINGS OUT SUBJECT IN THE OPEN 2CAN SHOW US WHAT TO DO TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE 3SHOW US WE ARE NOT ALONEBenefits of Speaking About It10Gain understanding on some of the reasons youth leave the church

Ideas on how to approach your children or a hurting parent

Leave with confidence to address the subject with family, friends and others in a similar situation

Open up conversation and make connections with individuals in this meeting Goals For Today

11 Why I Left The ChurchTestimony 12http://www.spreecast.com/events/faith-family-reunion-1MY STORY

13Why Kids Leave Some Common AnswersFrom Faith Family Reunion - 1Did not understand what was going on, church just did not make sense. Church seemed like a lot of singing, standing up, sitting down. Everyone that attends church is a hypocrite. I have done so many bad things in my life, how can God even love me? The sermons do not make sense, they are just full of judgment. I always feel guilt when I go to church, so I quit going. I do not connect with the pastor or the people in the church, they are just not friendly people. Why Kids Leave Some Common AnswersFrom Faith Family Reunion - 2

I just quit going and slept in on Sundays, I fell out of the habit. Church seems just like a place to socialize, I can meet with my friends and socialize so why do I need church? Going to church cuts into my free time, I have things to do and weekends are my time to catch up. Going to church is for the older people. I am afraid I will make a mistake in my talking about the Bible or may not understand it correctly Questions Lets ShareGroup Interaction 16Speak up and share with othersSharing helps you realize that you are not aloneSharing can help make the issues easier to deal withIf you are not ready that is ok and just listen

Share Your Story

17 Question: Are you a parent whose children have left the church? If not, do you know of parents whose kids have left the church? Group Interaction 18 Question: Why IS THE SUBJECT OF OUR KIDS LEAVING THE CHURCH SUCH A HARD SUBJECT TO SPEAK ABOUT?Group Interaction 19 Question: What are some of the feelings you experience? What are some of the common feelings that parents experience in this situation? Group Interaction 20 Question: Do you really know why your kids left the church? If not, why havent you asked them? Group Interaction 21 Comments: Dont assume that your kids left their faith and the church because of you. Each child has a different and unique story on why they left.Group Interaction 22 Question: Do You Feel Comfortable To Share?Group Interaction 23What Keeps Kids In Church?1. They are Converted 2. They have been trained not entertained3. Their parents preached the gospel to them* See full article in your handout

Used with permission from Jon Nielson 3 Common Traits of Youth Who Dont Leave the Church Church Leaders in Conversant Life

Full article: http://bit.ly/wOZEbY

Top 10 Reasons To Return To The Lutheran Church (LCMS)Notes from Faith http://faithfamilyreunion.com/about/10-reasons-to-come-back-to-church/See list with description on hand outFamily Reunion

www.faithfamilyreunion.comFaith Family Reunion Website

https://twitter.com/FaithfamilyreunFaith Family Reunion Twitter Page

https://www.facebook.com/FaithFamilyReunionFaith Family Reunion Facebook PagePaula IsaksonFaith Family ReunionReuniting Families Together in Faith This presentation demonstrates the new capabilities of PowerPoint and it is best viewed in Slide Show. These slides are designed to give you great ideas for the presentations youll create in PowerPoint 2011!

For more sample templates, click the File menu, and then click New From Template. Under Templates, click Presentations.29