National research reveals “more than three of five Americans are lonely, with more and more people reporting feeling like they are left out, poorly understood and lacking companionship.” Comparable studies further elaborate on the lonely plight of younger generations.

"Our survey found that actually the younger generation was lonelier than the older generations," says Dr. Douglas Nemecek, the chief medical officer for behavioral health at Cigna.

Recognizing the church is not immune to this phenomenon, Younger Generation Church conducted their own survey and data analysis in response to feedback from frequent attenders who have felt unnoticed, invisible, and unwelcome. Qualitative accounts have expressed that some have attended for months and have felt it difficult to “break into the bubble.” Others have felt “it’s different from a smaller church,” endorsing feeling isolated and sad about being alone.

This phenomenon is not unique to this generation or this part of the world, as illustrated in statistics recently shared at Annual Council for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists reflecting the departure of church members from church life over the past 57 years.
The GC Secretariat report went further to say the attrition from church has rarely been based on theological differences, citing it is often because members feel, *“un-missed, un-cared for, and/or un-important.”*

In a presentation this Summer for the North American Division, Pastor A Allan Martin cited work by Dr. Trim noting that of those that leave, 63.5% of them are young adults at the time of their departure. Although the number shared at the Called Convention already felt staggering, adjusted to the latest GC attrition statistics would place the current total at **11,172,535 young adults** having left the Adventist faith family since 1965.
It would be one of Pastor Allan’s contentions that an underlying factor to the departure of young adults from the church, from Adventism, and yes. . . from YG, is a rampant epidemic of loneliness.

“You are not alone in feeling alone.”

— Jennie Allen

Reflecting on and responding to our current condition, Younger Generation Church, will be implementing a multi-faceted, experiential journey this quarter entitled: GROWING TOGETHER: Building Community in a Lonely World.

In the remaining months of 2022, YG intends to invite and equip all into making new friends, nurturing deeper relationships, and fostering Biblically-grounded community where YG intentionally does life together. As mentioned in the sermon series introduction, this season will be messy because people are messy, and it will intentionally challenge YG to go beyond their comfort zones.

Facets of the Growing Together journey will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Empowering new ministry interns, volunteers, worship leaders, and members for deeper engagement of our community.
• Church leadership emphasis on the core commitments of Growing Young: 6 Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church [Click link for audio book, tiny.one/GYMP3]; As well as attendance of the RightNow Leadership Conference.
• YG Sermon Series based on the teaching from Find Your People: Building Community in a Lonely World, as well opportunities to join LIFEgroup Bible Studies based on book/sermon content.
• Monthly social gatherings and outings [i.e. Shindig, Dallas Mavericks Game, Passion Conference].
• Smaller affinity group and LIFEgroup launches [i.e. foundation, Mystery Dinner nights, YG Sabbath Schools, Open Table].
• Strategic technological and personal efforts to more effectively communicate with, engage with, and connect with new attenders and members.

“We are not built to do life alone.”

— Jennie Allen

7-8 I turned my head and saw yet another wisp of smoke on its way to nothingness: a solitary person, completely alone—no children, no family, no friends—yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, “Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?” More smoke. A bad business.

9-10 It’s better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough!

11 Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.

12 By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.
—Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 [Message]

May we find our people amidst the BODY OF CHRIST and enjoy the fullness of life GOD intended from the very beginning when GOD SAID, “It is not good for man to be alone.”