Prodigals are on the agenda. We are having conferences about them, and perhaps, finally waking up to the fact that we have a problem.
We have known the statistics for some time but, as ever, we seem too slow to respond. One response we have seen is the proliferation of the ‘big event’, which, in some ways, exacerbates the problem.. We may have theological doubts about the ‘youth church’ phenomena but we must understand the reason for its birth. Frustration with the ability of the church to keep its young people has driven people to positions they would not want to be in.
I have begun to research a book on the prodigal issue. It will be based on conversations with people who have left church youth groups. Some have yet to return; others have found fellowship again and seem to have found a new reality in their faith. How do we deal with this problem?
