What is the Gospel? (Probably not what you think!)

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How to keep the next generation in church.

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The latest research indicates that 70% of the kids who grow up in our youth groups are not staying in church. Project that out for about ten years and we have disaster. Based on data from Essential Church, the trend looks like this: For a free sample of the book, see http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_PDF_Rainers_Essential_Church_Sample.pdf Another good book on the subject is Ed Stetzer's Lost and Found. Let's look at it more personally. My oldest son graduated from High School in 2004. He walked across the stage at church at the recognition ceremony along with 20 or so of his classmates. Most of them had been very active in youth group. Very few of them are active in church today. In fact, my son may be the only one. If you are in the mood for a good depression, do the math at your church. Dig up the list of the kids that graduated five years ago. See if you can figure out how many of them are in church
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Lead by example

"Follow my example" I read this verse this morning: "Join with others in following my example." Phil 3:17a (NIV) As I read this verse, I thought about the power of example. Nothing much happens till someone sets an example. If I were to say to you, "I know how you could. . . Loose 40 pounds Get out of debt in six months Double your church in one year How would you respond? Here is how I would respond: show me! Show me an example of someone who has done it. Show me and example of someone who has done it, then let's talk. I want to see an example. Your people want to see and example. If you would start a doubling group movement in your church, set an example. I remember the first time I heard Andy Stanley say (paraphrased), "I am in a group that is doubling; I want you to be in a group that is doubling." I thought, "How fresh! What an idea! That is great!" I have not caught Andy Stanley
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Puzzling data regarding lecturing teachers

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Many of you know I am working on a new book on What Makes Groups Grow. I am puzzling just now over the data regarding teachers to lecture. Here is the puzzle: Teachers who use all lecture were the second mostly likely group to be growing Teachers who use all lecture were also the most likely group to be declining (by a wide margin) I have my own theories as to why this is true. What do you make of it? How could the lecturing group be both likely to grow and likely to decline?
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