I think it deserves serious consideration by the denomination. I don’t agree, however, with Merritt’s interpretation of the motives or behaviors of the people she identifies as the “missing” generation.

Most denominations (and certainly ours) agree that unless a congregation makes serious commitment to a strong, consistent youth ministry program,serving children well beyond their year of confirmation into the faith, adolescents exit the church.

Many, no matter what we put in place to attract them, never return.

Some,(fewer now than ever before) return when they are ready to marry and raise children. However, I do not agree with Merrit’s discussion of the decision to delay child rearing as the deterrent to church participation. The birth rate has been flat for over a decade; the average age of a first-time-mother rose to 25 fifteen years ago and has been consistent since then.

No – we cannot blame the decision to defer childbirth as the reason the twenty-somethings do not come home to the Presbyterian church.

Truth be told, most young people, ready to join a church, reject us – and turn to celebration-based faith communities.

The celebration communities do label any generation “lost.” I think it is a mistake for the Presbyterians to do so.

Twenty, thirty-year-old individuals are, in many ways, more “present” than any other generation of the past. New media and social networking keep this group of folks connected, up-to-date and in constant contact with each other.

Sure, they face challenges right now. Every demographic does. They are out of work as are others. In debt. Without health insurance. Some of them are in more trouble than the rest.

But to label them “missing” does them a disservice; and lets the church off the hook.

If your congregation is not appealing to the mainstream of young American, name-calling them absent, disconnected, and unwilling to commit will not draw them closer. Rather, your church will be seen as exclusive: an “us” and “them” organization, seeking to grow resources by bringing “missing” people forward.

Most of us, (young, old, in-between) smell that agenda and steer clear.

Better, I think, to look to ourselves, and ask how it is that we as a community have become so ingrown, indifferent, and self-absorbed that we attract only people who look, act, talk and believe as do we.

But wait – - – is that what the church is all about? Are we seeking to grow, change, develop and progress? Or are we determined first and foremost to grow our comfort and security?

These, I think, are the larger questions which need addressing – - long before we land on a group of young, enthusiastic, hard-working, hard-playing, ambitious folks and call them “missing” because they want nothing to do with us.

I’m delighted to engage in a Presbytery-wide conversation about this topic. Please let me know if one develops, or what I can do to assist in bringing forward this important topic for our common life.