Does God Have a Face? Larry Blackmer NAD Associate Director Of Education

I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words… When I was young, we were taught to be discreet and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceeding wise and impatient of restraint. Hesiod (800 BC)

Have things changed?

Valuegenesis 2 Look at only a few points –Grace –Faith Maturity –Standards of the Church Now what?

Grace I know God loves me, no Matter what I do. I am loved by God, even when I sin 90% 88% …our youth in addition to affirming a grace orientation, increasingly reject a law orientation. …but 67% of young people in our first study did not understand the process, now 50%.

Faith Undeveloped Faith- low horz. & low vert. 28% (43%) Vertical Faith – hi vert. & low horz. 18% (8%) Horizontal Faith – hi horz. & low vert. 14% (24%) Integrated Faith – hi both 40% (25%)

Faith Maturity 22% 44% 100% Increase Vertical Faith balanced against Horizontal Faith

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Faith “…when teachers are interesting, when teaching is considered good, when discipline is fair, and when teachers both praise and listen to students, the more intrinsic the religious experiences become.” 44% 6%

Troubling Stats 60% (47%) felt sad or depressed during the last month. 17% (16%) have been physically abused by an adult. 20% have been sexually abused one or more times. 15% (13%) had made multiple attempts at suicide. 11% (17%) have had one or more experiences of sexual intercourse. Teach life choices

Reading Bible Once a day or more 29% 39%

Frequency of Prayer Once per day or more

Reading Ellen White Once per day to once per week

“How Committed Are You to the Teachings of the Church” 87%

“Emphasis on rules so strong that the message of Christianity gets lost” The older the student, the MORE they agree with this statement! “…we carelessly equate God’s work in our lives with the work we must do as we connect with the power of God for right living.” The older the student, the MORE they agree with this statement! “…we carelessly equate God’s work in our lives with the work we must do as we connect with the power of God for right living.”

Church Standards Three of the 27 fundamental beliefs were strikingly different: –Remnant church, –E.G. White, –Investigative judgment.

Church Standards “If doctrines that make Adventism particularly unique continue to diminish at the rate they are evidenced by this research, these Adventist beliefs will cease to be meaningful to the youth of the church.”

Spiritual - Adventist “…young people in the Seventh-day Adventist Church are spiritual, yet less and less traditionally Adventist.”

What Should We Do? Encourage private devotions for children Stress personal relationship to God through individual involvement with God’s Word and the writings of the church. Provide a grace-oriented presence. Build on their growing understanding of how God saves humanity by: –Clear teaching, –Compassionate mentoring, –Active experiences that reflect the love and grace of God in all of our relationships with youth.

Does God Have a Face? Yes, it is every teacher and pastor, every parent and grandparent. It is every school and every church.

…God’s face looks a lot like yours and mine! To our youth…