A Study of Youth Retention and the Challenge of Delayed Commitment in the Norwegian Union

Authors

Victor Marley

Document Type

Contribution to Book

Publication Date

2009

Abstract

A contributory factor in the increasing rates of young people going through the “back door” and out of our church is the extension of adolescence and the corresponding postponement of commitment. This paper will look at pluralism, the extension of adolescence, and the erosion of adulthood as some reasons why commitment is being delayed. Some fundamental questions will be addressed: Is there a need to focus on the age of commitment? What about rites of passage? Do we need some in the Adventist culture? This paper will, in conclusion, look at the experience of the Norwegian Union and the Absolute Nine Program which is a significant part of the Norwegian churches response to the problem of delay.

First Page

105

Last Page

110

Book Title

Ministering with Millennials: A Complete Report on the 180° Symposium

Editor

Roger L. Dudley with Allan Walshe

Publisher

Advent Source

City

Lincoln, NE

Series

The 180° Symposium

ISBN

9781577565307

Recommended Citation

Marley, Victor, "A Study of Youth Retention and the Challenge of Delayed Commitment in the Norwegian Union" (2009). 180 Symposium Publications. 67.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cye-pubs/67

Acknowledgements

Posted with permission, Center for Youth Evangelism at Andrews University