You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church... and Rethinking Faith
Close to 60 percent of young people who went to church as teens drop out after high school. Now the bestselling author of "unChristian" trains his researcher's eye on these young believers. Where Kinnaman's first book "unChristian" showed the world what outsiders aged 16-29 think of Christianity, "You Lost Me" shows why younger Christians aged 16-29 are leaving the church...more
Hardcover, 254 pages
Published
October 1st 2011
by Baker Books
(first published January 1st 2011)
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I found that much of Kinnaman's data and analysis of it resonates with my experience--both personally, and in my understanding of the teens in my youth group. The categories he proposes for people leaving the church (nomads, prodigals and exiles) are very broad, and their appellations can be confusing or misleading unless you read carefully how he defines them.
Overall, I found the book very helpful for the following reasons (non-exhaustive, random order):
1. Careful processing of tons of data int...more
Overall, I found the book very helpful for the following reasons (non-exhaustive, random order):
1. Careful processing of tons of data int...more
When a book is packed with numbers, statistics, and solid research data, you should do two things:
1. Buy it and read it, because research is long, hard, and expensive work.
2. Be skeptical, because statistics are slithery things.
David Kinnaman, President of the Barna Group, dishes up some discoveries in this book, hashes through some explanations, and proposes some solutions. As you read the book, you will encounter some thought-generating statistics, and work through some startling findings. The...more
1. Buy it and read it, because research is long, hard, and expensive work.
2. Be skeptical, because statistics are slithery things.
David Kinnaman, President of the Barna Group, dishes up some discoveries in this book, hashes through some explanations, and proposes some solutions. As you read the book, you will encounter some thought-generating statistics, and work through some startling findings. The...more
The author kindly sent me a signed copy of this book after I participated in a companion video series to the book (http://youlostmebook.com/). "You Lost Me" is about people like me - the younger generation that has been leaving the Christian church in droves. Kinnaman's job as head of the Barna Research Group makes him uniquely qualified to talk about the statistics of belief, and he states from the start that 59% of young people (age 18-29) leave the church.
He breaks these wanderers down into t...more
He breaks these wanderers down into t...more
The book, You Lost Me – Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church…And Rethinking Faith written by the President of the Barna Group and author David Kinnaman is sobering and sad to read but it must be read. We can not ignore the truth and reality written of in this book in the hopes that the problem will either somehow miraculously resolve itself or simply go away. The issue or problem WILL NOT miraculously just be fixed like it were a broken gas line on our automobile nor will it just go away, but...more
This book was a very mixed read. Kinnaman offers an incredible amount of statistical research connected to the evangelical church and its numbers. It is a huge resource for any pastor, educator, or church goer interested in recent generations, and the research itself was wonderful. But the theology presented was questionable. Clearly, being from the Barna Group, his theology was going to be very conservative, and I am alright with conservative. But when it begins excluding Christians from the fa...more
I liked this book a very much. It talked about why young adults are leaving the church, something I personally know too much about. I thought that it helpfully put young adults in three categories: those who used to be Christians, but have renounced their faith; those who consider themselves Christians, but rarely go to church; and those who are still Christians and involved with faith communities, but feel exiled from the church.Although I think many young adults swing between these categories,...more
You Lost Me is David Kinnaman’s research and explanations on why young Christians are leaving the church. He categorizes young Christians into three groups (Nomads, Prodigals, and Exiles), explains what each group is categorized by, and gives the reasons for which they’re most prone to leave. He mentions that a large portion of these young Christians are not disillusioned with Jesus, but with the church.
The church has in several ways become disconnected with the young Christians of our day. Sev...more
The church has in several ways become disconnected with the young Christians of our day. Sev...more
This book is a must read for those interested in the future of the church. It was fascinating to hear first-hand from those raised in Christian churches as to why they have left or struggle with the church now. The research was impeccably presented and done so in a manner that was loving and kind to those who both struggle with the institution of Christianity and those within the church.
Personally, this book gave me hope that was long overdue. As an individual who often struggles with having a...more
Personally, this book gave me hope that was long overdue. As an individual who often struggles with having a...more
David Kinnaman has written an incredibly honest, important work that conveys the monumental changes in a post-Christian culture where the new generation is telling the church, "You lost me." He has compiled all the common reasons why the youth and young professionals are exiting the church doors. From interviews, research, and personal experience, Kinnaman makes clear the landmark at the crossroads of our faith, where we can choose to embrace the rapid shifts of our world while embracing the tim...more
Highly disappointed in this book.
First... the few things that I appreciated. 1) good cultural analysis. I think he rightly identifies the influences on what he terms the Mosaic generation. 2) late in the book he points out a problem with how we segregate ages in the church, and how that is a huge factor that contributes to youth walking away from the faith. I've been preaching this for years. Wish someone would listen.
Second, what I didn't appreciate:
1) The book title itself "You Lost Me!" point...more
First... the few things that I appreciated. 1) good cultural analysis. I think he rightly identifies the influences on what he terms the Mosaic generation. 2) late in the book he points out a problem with how we segregate ages in the church, and how that is a huge factor that contributes to youth walking away from the faith. I've been preaching this for years. Wish someone would listen.
Second, what I didn't appreciate:
1) The book title itself "You Lost Me!" point...more
Kinnaman presents research as to why young Christians ages 16-29, who have grown up in the church are leaving it. He examines three groups of people who he terms as Nomads, Prodigals, and Exiles. Nomads still consider themselves Christian but no longer attend church. Prodigals have walked away from their faith, but historical research indicates they are group likely to return to church when they are older and begin raising families. Exiles are Christians but feel stuck between church and culture...more
Great book succinctly describing people ages 18-29 who have left the church in our country. Kinnaman takes time to describe 3 different types of people who have become uninterested in the things of the church (Nomads, Prodigals, and exiles) and the reasons why they left (church is over protective, shallow, antiscience, repressive, exclusive, and doubtless). He spends the majority of the book describing these things in detail and does a nice job of adding in personal stories that point to this. I...more
I enjoy research if well-written, and this book certainly is. I don't know how many solutions I gathered from the book (I am a bit cut and dry and do like solutions more than I like questions), but the purpose of the book seemed to be to pose the question, "How should the church today respond to this information?" Our own church is responding initially by asking the same question and promising to reThink church. The crux of the matter is that 60% of those between the ages of 18 and 29 are leavin...more
Being raised in the Church and walking away from my faith for so many years myself, I too can say to the church that they lost me. I don't like that though and I don't think it is of good stewardship to the life we've been given to live in obedience to the Lord. Sure, most return as they get older and mature but a question also remains we're they ever saved to begin with? A very debatable question and not really a point I'm trying to make however still worth some thought. Much more to read howev...more
Very important book for today's Church. Most importantly it's not just someone's ideas, opinions, or interpretations, but is based on (presumably sound) data gathering and analysis. There's always interpretation in analyzing data, of course, but starting with actual data is always a plus.
While I think he exhibits a subtle tendency to assume that the 20th/21st century American Evangelical version of Christianity is the only right and true way, he is definitely asking questions about processes, pr...more
While I think he exhibits a subtle tendency to assume that the 20th/21st century American Evangelical version of Christianity is the only right and true way, he is definitely asking questions about processes, pr...more
I find David Kinnaman's research refreshing. He asks tough, insightful questions, and doesn't sugarcoat his findings. His reactions to those findings, and how he wants to address them I often do disagree with, but his research is solid. This book is lighter on research than his previous book "UnChristian", and heavier on prescriptions for his findings, consequently I found it a bit of a slog to get through. But his research is fascinating, as his his judicial use of onger responses from the inte...more
Overall, I think this is a great book that should challenge the church to take seriously the young adult dropout problem. I didn't think the analysis of the book went deep enough in some respects--Kinnaman suggests six reasons why young adults are leaving the church and not returning, but I think those six reasons boil down to two deeper themes: the lack of respect within the church for those with questions/concerns/doubts/opposing viewpoints and the lack of authenticity of the people within ins...more
The author made some insightful, thought-provoking points, and some of those points were even related to the experience of young Christians in the church and to what they really seek. Most such thought-provoking statements, however, could -- and, arguably, should -- be better applied to Christians and churches as a whole, rather than singling out struggling young adults. I felt that many of his comments relating specifically to young adults seemed to undermine their intelligence and reflected so...more
This book is a report of poll results, and a discussion of what those results mean for the church. The polls involved were targeted at young adults who were raised in churches and had/had "left." I put "left" in quotes because the definition of "left" in this book is vague, and largely based on rather traditionalist views of what Christianity must be. This is important to note as the authors analysis os the poll results is the primary focus of the book, but is also built on what appears (to this...more
Some solid points, that make it worth a read for people in ministry...my only complaint would be that I felt like the author used the statistics to validify his theory, rather than letting the statistics shape his theory. The research seemed almost like an after-thought at times. I'd also say that the type of surveys the author cites from are likely not to be entirely accurate. As the author says, there is a propensity for people not to be honest about doubts. But kudos to the author for at leas...more
With the finish of this book, I reach the milestone of 200 books read on Goodreads!
I found this book equally disturbing and inspiring.
Although I am still at a point in life where I'm not sure of the spiritual health and future of the institutional church in America, I know God will always have His remnant.
This book should serve as a serious wake-up call to youth pastors, college pastors, and senior pastors of very denomination and background.
We are facing VERY serious circumstances with this...more
I found this book equally disturbing and inspiring.
Although I am still at a point in life where I'm not sure of the spiritual health and future of the institutional church in America, I know God will always have His remnant.
This book should serve as a serious wake-up call to youth pastors, college pastors, and senior pastors of very denomination and background.
We are facing VERY serious circumstances with this...more
This was a great book. Like most people I get a little leery of statistical analysis because it is pretty easy to manipulate, but Kinnaman does a great job with it. I found myself resonating with his thoughts and conclusions in light of my subconscious paradigm. I think like a Mosaic because I was born a the right time. It's hard to separate worldview from upbringing. This goes for young and old, and as a result the church needs to incarnate to who they are trying to reach. I would recommend thi...more
Excellent surveys conducted by the Barna group are dicussed in this book. Many of the issues amoung belivers and their relation to the outside world have been until now, somewhat overlooked. Outsiders themselves have tried to point out such issues but churches lacked the hard data, to know the extent of the issues. Now they have numbers along with empty pews to look at and start the nessary reforms in relating to the younger generations. This book could have used far more examples from interview...more
Mar 05, 2013
Rhianna
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Christians
Recommended to Rhianna by:
Ross Blocher
Let me be completely clear: I acknowledge that I am not the intended audience for this book. The book has been written for Christians (pastors, youth leaders, etc.) to help them face the decreasing numbers of those between the ages of 15 and 29ish, read stories about why they may have left, and come up with ideas on how to bring them back into the fold. As a happy agnostic, who has zero desire to be brought "back in to the fold" I am not the audience for this book, and a lot of my frustration wi...more
A really good, thought provoking book. Challenges one to question their comfortable and familiar ways in case we might be missing something hidden from our blinders of familiarity is safe. It's definitely not a book that leaves you full of answers, but questions meant to be discussed with others so that we may work together. I recommend this for all churches and church leaders. I would also recommend it for those who have been lost and for those who are mentors, role models, or friends of the lo...more
Nothing too earth-shattering, here, and a bit of intimidation-by-polls, numbers, and by simply no longer being hip. And, the subtitle, "rethinking faith" seems trite. The book lends itself to developing ministries that will attract visitors based on appealing to their personal tastes in worship style, music, location, etc., rather than the often terrifying prospect of committing to the preaching and living out of the gospel itself, and then trusting God to bring whomever He will to a particular...more
I enjoyed this book and it will definitely influence my personal evangelism and discipleship.
Strengths:
- Amazing data. Kinnaman lives and works with statistics and it shows. Hits book convinced me more than ever before that there is a meaningfully significant religious gap among people my age.
- Valid analysis. Unlike Ken Ham's Already Gone, the conclusions Kinnaman draws are generally spot-on. I particularly appreciated his fair, balanced analysis of generation gap, recognizing that it happens b...more
Strengths:
- Amazing data. Kinnaman lives and works with statistics and it shows. Hits book convinced me more than ever before that there is a meaningfully significant religious gap among people my age.
- Valid analysis. Unlike Ken Ham's Already Gone, the conclusions Kinnaman draws are generally spot-on. I particularly appreciated his fair, balanced analysis of generation gap, recognizing that it happens b...more
This is a great read for all who are involved with youth ministry. The author describes why young Christians leave the church and rethink their faith, especially as they graduate high school and move away to college. He go over three type of young people:
Nomads: a type of faith journey in which a person wanders or drifts away from active involvement with a church or faith community.
Prodigals: a faith journey in which a person gives up on the faith of their childhood.
Exiles: a faith journey in w...more
Nomads: a type of faith journey in which a person wanders or drifts away from active involvement with a church or faith community.
Prodigals: a faith journey in which a person gives up on the faith of their childhood.
Exiles: a faith journey in w...more
I am slightly outside of the age group that this book is talking about, but I have certainly had similar feelings or experiences about the church. I also identified with a lot of the concerns in the book unChristian as well. I thought both books were fascinating and I think it is important for believers to take a hard look at why young people don't want to be connected with the church.
I recently read a blog post, And Then the Conference Uninvited Me to Speak by Jen Hatmaker, that I think it doe...more
I recently read a blog post, And Then the Conference Uninvited Me to Speak by Jen Hatmaker, that I think it doe...more
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