Where Are They?
I just picked up this book today and began reading it with much anticipation. It asks the questions, “Why do so many young adults leave the church and what will it take to bring them back?” Those two questions are the heartbeat of my ministry and ignite my passion as pastor to college students and young adults.
The book went on to say that, “more than 2/3 of churchgoing young adults drop out of church between the ages of 18 and 22.” Interestingly enough, the research showed that the top ten reasons why these people left the church:
- Simply wanted a break from church.
- Church members seemed judgmental or hypocritical.
- Moved to college and stopped attending church.
- Work responsibilities prevented me from attending.
- Moved too far away from church to continue to attend.
- Became too busy, though still wanted to attend.
- Didn’t feel connected to the people in my church.
- Disagreed with the church’s on political or social issues.
- Chose to spend more time with friends outside the church.
- Was only going to church to please others.
Simply put, most 18-22 year olds, just did not see that church was essential to their lives. Can the church do anything to reverse this 70% drop out trent?
It is my prayer that God would break the hearts of this generation and draw them back to Himself. May He use you and me to see His church family grow together and not lose this generation.
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I wish church had a more important role in young people’s lives. If the issue is to bring them back to the church, then some of the listed reasons for leaving would have to be addressed.
Several of the reasons relate to a person’s unwillingness to place religion as a priority which can be attributed to the top two reasons.
If people find church members to be judgmental and hypocritical then steps need to be taken to alleviate this issue, without sacraficing the integrity of the church’s foundations.
However, researching why young adults “simply want a break from church” can be a sticky problem. How do you gather information to address this very vague reason without appearing to be forcing religion on people?
“It is my prayer that God would break the hearts of this generation and draw them back to Himself.”
If you would, please explain what is meant by this?
James,
Thanks for your comments. It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but I will be posting more frequently/regularly in 2009.
Going back to your comment, I would agree with you in your statement about the role of the church in young people’s lives. What I believe is, we as followers of Jesus (the church) need to live out everyday what it means to be people who follow and live our lives as Jesus did. To love people when they least expect it and least deserve it, to serve and give of ourselves to others, to not just go to church, but “be” the church and obey and live our lives in accordance to what Jesus modeled for us. And I believe this happens, one relationships at a time. It is spread by each of us that know God and love God, to love others and prove IT in our love, actions and speech.
And my prayer is simply stating, that we as a church (people young and old who follow Christ as Lord and Savior of their life) are often stuck with just going to church on Sundays and “doing church.” It is my desire that we live out what Jesus is all about all throughout the week as we spend time with Him and influence others to Him by how we live our lives.