You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church . . . and Rethinking Faith

Is the Church Losing the Next Generation?More than half of all Christian teens and twentysomethings leave active involvement in church. Based on research conducted by the Barna Group, You Lost Me exposes ways the Christian community has failed to equip young adults to live "in but not of" the world--to follow Christ in the midst of profound cultural change. This wide-ranging study debunks persistent myths about young dropouts and examines the likely consequences for young adults and for the church if we maintain the status quo.The faith journeys of the next generation are a challenge to the established church, but they can also be a source of hope for the community of faith. Kinnaman, with the help of contributors from across the Christian spectrum, offers ideas for pastors, youth leaders, parents, and educators to pass on a vibrant, lasting faith, and ideas for young adults to find themselves in wholehearted pursuit of Christ.From the Inside FlapDavid Kinnaman is coauthor of the bestselling "unChristian." He is president and majority owner of the Barna Group, a private, non-partisan research and resource company located in Ventura, California. In Kinnaman's sixteen years at the firm, he has supervised more than 350,000 interviews for client projects and nationwide studies among American adults, teenagers, tweens, and clergy on matters of faith, spirituality, political attitudes, and social dynamics. Barna Group's body of research is often quoted in major media outlets and from pulpits. David frequently speaks on topics of cultural change, young adults, teenagers, vocation and calling, leadership, and generations. He and Jill, his wife, have three children and live in California.Share your story, engage further:www.youlostmebook.orgLearn more about the research:www.barna.orgFollow the author on Twitter:@davidkinnamanFrom the Back CoverIs the church losing the next generation?Millions of young Christians are disconnecting from church as they transition into adulthood. They're real people, not just statistics. And each one has a story to tell."I knew from church that I couldn't believe in both science and God, so that was it. I didn't believe in God anymore."--Mike"When I write a song that's not used in a way that every Christian agrees on, I get hammered. What am I supposed to be using my talents for?"--Sam"I felt like I had been punched in the stomach . . . I remember thinking on the way home, My non-Christian friends would never do that to me."--Sarah"It just feels like the church's teaching on sexuality is behind the times."--DennisNow the bestselling coauthor of "unChristian" reveals the long-awaited results of a new nationwide study of 18- to 29-year-olds with a Christian background. Discover why so many are disengaging from the faith community, renew your hope for how God is at work in the next generation--and find out how you can join in.Includes ideas for passing on a flourishing, deep-rooted faith from:Jon AcuffFrancis ChanShane ClaiborneKenda Creasy DeanJoshua DuBoisDonna FreitasSteven GarberSara GrovesGabe LyonsSean McDowellScot McKnightJedd MedefindBritt MerrickWalt MuellerJohn OrtbergCharlie PeacockKara PowellMark RegnerusRichard StearnsJohn Stonestreet"And many more"About the AuthorDavid Kinnaman is coauthor of unChristian, You Lost Me, and Good Faith. He is president of Barna Group, a leading research and communications company that works with churches, nonprofits, and businesses ranging from film studios to financial services. Since 1995, David has directed interviews with more than one million individuals and overseen hundreds of U.S. and global research studies. He and his wife live in California with their three children.ALY HAWKINS and her husband, Bryan Ashmore, live, write, and make music in Southern California. Aly is the author of Shine: Beautiful Inside and Out, as well as numerous articles. Married for five years, Aly and Bryan ar