An astronomical number of Christian young people are leaving the faith after they leave the nest. A recent New LifeWay Research survey shows that two-thirds of Christian youth stop attending church for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22.

A study from the Assemblies of God shows that “at least half and possibly over two-thirds of Christian young people will step away from the faith while attending a non-Christian college or university.” A similar study from the Southern Baptist Convention “indicates that they are currently losing 70-88% of their youth after their freshman year in college.”

In her recent book, Mama Bear Apologetics, Hillary Morgan Ferrer offers a somber reality when it comes to our Christian teens and twenty-somethings: “Most studies indicate between 45%-48% of youth leave the church after their freshman year in college and never return.” (pg. 27)

If the massive youth exodus we are experiencing in the church doesn’t concern us as parents, it should.

In this “Best Of” re-airing of CPCW’s inaugural episode, Catherine breaks down what is happening to youth in our churches, so we as parents can understand how to counteract this trend. And Catherine offers a very encouraging UPDATE on her journey as a parent of a child who has struggled in the faith. 

RESOURCES & EPISODES REFERENCED:

The Prodigal Bundle (free resource with Scripture list)

Episode 2: What Is the Key for Our Kids to Have an Authentic Faith?

CP/CW Prayer Series:

Episode 12: What To Do if Your Child Walks Away from the Faith

Episode 13: 4 Types of Prayer Every Believer Should Know

Episode 14: How To Battle for Your Kids in Prayer

Episode 15: What Should I Expect When I Battle in Prayer?

BOOKS REFERENCED:

Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies, by Hillary Morgan Ferrer 

You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving the Church… and Rethinking Faith by David Kinnaman

Why Christian Kids Leave the Faith by Tom Bisset



ARTICLES REFERENCED:

See Catherine’s supplemental article on Crosswalk: “Christian Kids Are Leaving the Faith. What Can We Do About It?”  

“Most Teenagers Drop Out of Church When They Become Young Adults,” Lifeway Research

“Young adults are dropping out of church in large numbers, survey finds. This is Why,” USA Today 

“Are Young People Really Leaving Christianity,” Cold Case Christianity

“The Tops Reasons Young People Drop Out of Church,” by Griffen Paul Jackson, Christianity Today


Find Catherine at https://catherinesegars.com/

An astronomical number of Christian young people are leaving the faith after they leave the nest. A recent New LifeWay Research survey shows that two-thirds of Christian youth stop attending church for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22. A study from the Assemblies of God shows that “at least half and possibly over two-thirds of Christian young people will step away from the faith while attending a non-Christian college or university.” A similar study from the Southern Baptist Convention “indicates that they are currently losing 70-88% of their youth after their freshman year in college.” In her recent book, Mama Bear Apologetics, Hillary Morgan Ferrer offers a somber reality when it comes to our Christian teens and twenty-somethings: “Most studies indicate between 45%-48% of youth leave the church after their freshman year in college and never return.” (pg. 27) If the massive youth exodus we are experiencing in the church doesn’t concern us as parents, it should. In this “Best Of” re-airing of CPCW’s inaugural episode, Catherine breaks down what is happening to youth in our churches, so we as parents can understand how to counteract this trend. And Catherine offers a very encouraging UPDATE on her journey as a parent of a child who has struggled in the faith. 
RESOURCES &amp; EPISODES REFERENCED:
<a href="https://catherinesegars.com/resources">The Prodigal Bundle</a> (free resource with Scripture list)
Episode 2: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/what-is-the-key-for-our-kids-to-have-an-authentic-faith-episode-2">What Is the Key for Our Kids to Have an Authentic Faith?</a>
CP/CW Prayer Series:
Episode 12: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/what-to-do-if-your-child-walks-away-from-the-faith-episode-12">What To Do if Your Child Walks Away from the Faith</a>
Episode 13: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/4-types-of-prayer-every-believer-should-know">4 Types of Prayer Every Believer Should Know</a>
Episode 14: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/how-to-battle-for-your-kids-in-prayer-episode-14">How To Battle for Your Kids in Prayer</a>
Episode 15: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/what-should-i-expect-when-i-battle-in-prayer-episode-15">What Should I Expect When I Battle in Prayer?</a>
BOOKS REFERENCED:
<a href="https://www.christianbook.com/apologetics-trade-empowering-challenge-cultural-lies/9780736976152/pd/976156?event=ESRCN">Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies</a>, by Hillary Morgan Ferrer <a href="https://www.christianbook.com/young-christians-leaving-church-rethinking-faith/david-kinnaman/9780801015892/pd/015892?event=ESRCG"> You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving the Church… and Rethinking Faith</a> by David Kinnaman
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Why-Christian-Kids-Leave-Faith/dp/1572930268/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;amp;qid=1479732836&amp;amp;sr=8-2">Why Christian Kids Leave the Faith</a> by Tom Bisset 
ARTICLES REFERENCED: See Catherine’s supplemental article on Crosswalk: “<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/christian-kids-leaving-the-faith-what-can-we-do.html#google_vignette">Christian Kids Are Leaving the Faith. What Can We Do About It?</a>”  “<a href="https://research.lifeway.com/2019/01/15/most-teenagers-drop-out-of-church-as-young-adults/">Most Teenagers Drop Out of Church When They Become Young Adults</a>,” Lifeway Research “<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/01/15/why-young-adults-drop-out-church-survey/2580829002/">Young adults are dropping out of church in large numbers, survey finds. This is Why</a>,” USA Today “<a href="https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/are-young-people-really-leaving-christianity/">Are Young People Really Leaving Christianity</a>,” Cold Case Christianity “<a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/2019/01/church-drop-out-college-young-adults-hiatus-lifeway-survey/">The Tops Reasons Young People Drop Out of Church</a>,” by Griffen Paul Jackson, Christianity Today
 Find Catherine at <a href="https://catherinesegars.com/">https://catherinesegars.com/</a>

The Christian Parent, Crazy World podcast with Catherine Segars is dedicated to helping you be a godly parent in an ungodly world. Catherine is an expert in Christian Apologetics for parents and every episode helps moms and dads understand what is going on in our current culture and how Christians can and should respond.

Topics covered on this podcast include:
What to Do If Your Child Walks Away from the Faith
Can Our Words Change the Future?
Why Are So Many Kids Falling Away from The Faith?
13 Ways To Be a Better Parent This Year
5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Gen Z
What Critical Foundation Do Many Parents Miss When Discipling Their Kids?
How To Teach Your Kids the Christian Worldview 
Hope and Strategy for Parents of Prodigal Children

Want to read some of Catherine's most popular Christian parenting articles? Check them out here: https://www.crosswalk.com/author/catherine-segars/

The Christian Parent, Crazy World podcast with Catherine Segars is dedicated to helping you be a godly parent in an ungodly world. Catherine is an expert in Christian Apologetics for parents and every episode helps moms and dads understand what is going on in our current culture and how Christians can and should respond.
Topics covered on this podcast include:
<ul>
<li>What to Do If Your Child Walks Away from the Faith</li>
<li>Can Our Words Change the Future?</li>
<li>Why Are So Many Kids Falling Away from The Faith?</li>
<li>13 Ways To Be a Better Parent This Year</li>
<li>5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Gen Z</li>
<li>What Critical Foundation Do Many Parents Miss When Discipling Their Kids?</li>
<li>How To Teach Your Kids the Christian Worldview </li>
<li>Hope and Strategy for Parents of Prodigal Children</li>
</ul>
Want to read some of Catherine's most popular Christian parenting articles? Check them out here: https://www.crosswalk.com/author/catherine-segars/

Christian Parent, Crazy World is a podcast dedicated to helping you be a godly parent in an ungodly world.

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