Live Out Loud!

I read a scary statistic in Dr. Kara E. Powell's Sticky Faith. She sites a study that shows 50% of youth group members will lose or shelve their faith while in college. As a youth minister, I am startled by that statistic.

How do our kids beat the odds and develop a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ? I believe it starts with a willingness to live out loud.

Too often we want to camouflage our faith because our desire is to fit in and not ruffle any feathers. At times we all struggle with living in a way that others can clearly see we are Christians. Should a Christian even be able to blend in with the people around them? In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus explains...

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

We have a responsibility to live out our faith so that others can see Christ living in us.

This was our theme this past weekend for the MYG Fall Retreat. We focused on what living out loud means and how letting our light shine helps us remain focused on our relationship with Jesus Christ.

MYG Fall Retreat - Nature's Classroom in Mentone, AL

When we live out loud our faith becomes real. When we avoid blending in, we are avoiding places and situations that allow us to be tempted.

Living out loud is all about running the race while modeling our lives after the author and perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ.