I learned from Terry Dittmer, LCMS Director of Youth Ministry, that in 1980, for the first national youth gathering, our pool of eligible youth was about 220,000 15-19 year olds. Thirty years later we are looking at a pool of about 100,000 14-19 year olds, fewer than half of what we had in 1980. We are an aging church. By the grace of God, members are living longer. But will our church always include teens? What is reality? We need to make youth ministry a priority, and we need to find ways to bring un-churched and marginally churched young people into our churches. We need children and youth NOW; our children and youth need to be a church priority. They are the future pastors, teachers, and other leaders for our church.