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According to George Barna’s research, young adults give 6 main reasons they do not attend church: church seems overprotective; it is shallow and boring; it is anti-science; it does not help them deal with sex and sexuality; church is like a country-club for insiders only; and it’s unfriendly for those who doubt. While African American young adults don’t leave church as readily as some ethnic groups do, all churches might well come to grips with this issue. The Bible is quite clear that gathering with God’s people is vital to our spiritual growth and well-being. God created us in such a way that unless we maintain a spiritual diet of learning, worshiping, connecting with others, and serving others, we will suffer the consequences; just as our physical bodies will suffer if we neglect a healthy nutritious diet. The writer of the book of Hebrews says this in chapter 10: “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Every church should create and maintain a healthy spiritual diet for people of all ages. All need to find acceptance and experiences that enable people to learn, worship, connect, and serve our Lord.
