12/17/2025
Church Crisis: The Church Doors Are Open
Hebrews 10:24–25 (CEV)
“We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things.
Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.”
There was a time—just a generation or two ago—when the sound of church bells on Sunday mornings signaled more than a call to worship. It was a summons for our young people. On Sunday, houses were quieter; football and fishing trips waited until after church. The young went to church not just out of obligation but out of identity. The church wasn’t just a building. It was the heartbeat of the community, the moral compass guiding families, neighbors, and especially our youth.
Back then, families anchored themselves to a spiritual foundation—something solid and unshakeable. The principles of love, sacrifice, obedience, discipline, and accountability were the building blocks of that foundation. It shaped character, influenced choices, and provided direction during the most challenging times of life. The church taught us right from wrong, encouraged us to persevere, and reminded us that we are part of something greater than ourselves.
Today, too many young people don’t see the value of going to church. Surveys show attendance among youth has been declining steadily over the past few decades. A Barna Group study reports that only about 4 in 10 young adults (ages 18–23) attend church monthly, and fewer still—around 2 in 10—attend it weekly. Many cite disappointment, hypocrisy, or irrelevance as reasons they stay away. We can’t ignore those numbers or the honest questions behind them.
Recently, on Kirk Franklin’s A Den of Kings podcast, rapper T.I. shared his take on church culture. He spoke candidly about how some in the Christian world act in ways that push young people away.
He reminded us that sometimes the problem isn’t God—it’s the people claiming His name. That’s a hard but necessary truth. Christ never said following Him would be easy, but He did promise He’d never leave us or forsake us.
I had a conversation with a young man recently about this very issue. He told me many youth don’t want to go to church because of what they see from the Christian world—the actions, the judgment, the lack of authenticity. I understood him. We all have seen churches hurt people. But I also explained that missing church because of imperfect people is like missing a good meal because one restaurant failed to satisfy your taste.
I said to him, “If you don’t like the local restaurant, you don’t stop eating—you drive 50 to 100 miles to find a place you enjoy.”
Church attendance can be the same. If the first church you tried doesn’t feel like home, don’t give up—try another. Just don’t give up on the search. You need a moral compass. We all do.
I told him what the ole folks used to say: “Every tub has to sit on its own bottom.” In other words: stand firm. Be rooted. Don’t give up. The church doors are still open—not just as a place you go, but as a family you belong to in Christ.
The church isn’t perfect—it’s made up of imperfect people—but it’s still God’s chosen way to shape us, strengthen us, and send us out to be salt and light in the world.
So to every young heart (and every heart that’s felt discouraged):
Son, don’t give up on attending church.
The doors are open. The spiritual foundation is real. The moral compass still points true. And there—within the fellowship of believers—you will experience purpose, direction, strength, community, and the love of Jesus.
Don't miss the message trying to figure out the Messenger. You guys better stay with me. I'm going somewhere with these inspirations. Have a whimsical Wednesday. Let’s go!
Jerry W. Porter
#1 Click on the link below to view the video message: https://youtu.be/4BePU0pc7Jg?si=HXNbLO7v9nEeN3B5
#2 Click on the link below to listen to the music playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4aj7G6-FU9nwUpTX0bj07D8TqcFswLNs&si=4ck5o2tBY0Z1Zqia
