April 26, 2024
Dear Radiant,
As kids graduate from high school, they are increasingly, “graduating” from church. The stats continue to haunt and astound.
From Lifeway research in January 2023:
“Lifeway Research found 66% of young adults who attended a Protestant church regularly for at least a year in high school stopped attending at some point during their college-aged years. Among those who dropped out, only 31% have returned to regular attendance, while 29% do not attend at all.”
This is incredibly sad. It doesn’t take a statistician to realize that the church and its future is looking threadbare.
I don’t mean to market in fear, but clearly, the church’s approach to children and youth has not been an effective one. This is obvious. We’ve failed in some gut-wrenching ways. The juggernaut of post-Christian formation is winning.
So we need to honestly and critically re-examine how our children are being (or not being) formed and discipled in the church in our homes.
The good news is that we have an opportunity to rethink and refresh what it means for young people to be formed in the way of Jesus.
I’m quite confident it’s going to be different and take more than “attending” church every now and then. This is a call for parents, family, friends, the church at large to discover what it means to be a community of ongoing formation in Jesus in the cultural storm.
Sarah Cowan Johnson (fellow Covenant pastor and friend of Radiant Covenant Church — I like to think) in her wonderful book, Teach Your Children Well, writes these emboldening words:
“God has always looked for those who are faithful to his kingdom–and often at odds with the culture around them–to serve as leaders and shepherds of his people when he intervenes. As we prepare our children to confidently walk the way of Jesus in a world that doesn’t know him, there’s a growing sense in my spirit that you and I and our children just might be the remnant God is preparing to steward a massive work of his Spirit in our midst.”
Amen.
By the way– I hope you’ve gathered this discussion isn’t just for parents. This is an all hands on deck time in the church — we need you, our kids need you in on this. Really, they do.
See you Sunday at 5PM!
EVENTS CALENDAR
Home Churches are now going! Jump in one!
4/27 – Love Modesto Service Day
4/28 – Bike to Church Sunday !!!!!
5/1 – Women’s Gathering 6-7AM ELC
5/5 – Baptism Service
5/12 – Guys Serve Dinner at Second Sunday Supper
5/17 – Line Dancing Social at Dying Breed
LOVE MODESTO SERVICE DAY – 4/27
Let’s love our city and our neighbors by participating in Love Modesto, tomorrow 4/27. Some of us are going to join in on the Youth for Christ project in South Modesto. You can sign up for that project here or find a list of projects here.
BIKE TO CHURCH SUNDAY – 4/28
Time to bust out the bicycles and cruise over to church on 4/28. Rumor has it we will have Paletas for Pedalers (and everyone else). Some might meet at the Virginia corridor at O’Brien’s at 4:30 and cruise over from there.
WOMEN’S GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY – 6-7AM ELC
Wednesdays for a women – a time where we create space for God and one another.
BAPTISM OR RE-AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM – 5/5
Baptism is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ. We are planning a baptism service on May 5th. I also mentioned the opportunity to re-affirm your faith in Christ through a public declaration before the church. If you sense God leading you to either of these — I’d love to connect with you. You can fill out this form in response.
MOTHER’S DAY SECOND SUNDAY SUPPER – 5/12
We are doing something a little special. In honor of Mom’s and ALL women we are gathering for dinner together — and the guys are going to be in charge of putting it on!
LINE DANCING AT DYING BREED – 5/17
Friday, May 17 at 6PM at Dying Breed Brewery in Oakdale! No experience necessary — come enjoy some community and try your hand (feet?) at some line dancing. Sign up here we can plan accordingly. Questions? Contact Ellen Howell (209) 652-9332.
HOME CHURCHES ARE GETTING AFTER IT!
Radiant Home Churches are communities of discipleship in the way of Jesus and are foundational to our life as a church. If you are not currently in a home church, or would like to try a new Home Church, please fill out this interest form, and we’ll follow up with you! Groups has just recently started, so it’s an optimal time to jump in.
BAND APP
One way to connect at Radiant is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little social media space. People can extend invites, share about needs and opportunities.
GIVING
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry!
Here’s the link to online giving.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
