Introduction:
When you read about college students or young 20s these days, their
relationship with the church or faith may be presented in a skeptical light.
You hear quotes like “86% of evangelical youth drop out of church after
graduation.” Such a statement is simply not true, but that doesn’t mean there’s
no reason for concern.
Statistics on Dropout
Patterns for Teenagers:
Lifeway Research (2007)—Definitely need more updated research here
About 70% of young adults who indicated they attended church regularly for at least one year in high school do, in fact, drop out—BUT of those who left, almost two-thirds return and currently attend church (in the timeframe of the study).
Patterns: Helpful to realize that there are always some coming and going. Yet, something significant happens between ages 17-19 that accounts for these sudden drops. This study noticed that if someone attends an average of two times a month,
Ages 17–18, drop 14%
Ages 18–19, drop 13%
But why? 80% who dropped out of church did not plan to do so during high school. Our teenagers aren't primarily leaving because they have significant disagreements with their theological upbringing or out of some sense of rebellion. They simply lose track of the church and stop seeing it as important to their life.
Statistics for Teenagers (13-18 Years
Old):
Barna Research Group (2018)—Again, I’m sure there’s been an updated study since then.
2. Students in this age group offer the following major “barriers to faith”:
a. Problem
of evil and suffering (29%)
b. “Christians are hypocrites” (23%)—ouch
c. Science refutes the Bible (20%)
d. “I don’t believe in fairy tales (19%)
e. “There are too many injustices in the
history of Christianity” (15%)—double ouch
f. “I used to go to church but it’s not
important to me anymore” (12%)
g. “I had a bad experience at church with a
Christian” (6%)—triple ouch
Statistics for What 18-29-Year-Old Christians from the
Church Think About the Church:
David Kinnaman, Baker Books (2011)
|
Nearly
25% |
“Christians
demonize everything outside of the church” |
|
18% |
Church
was too concerned about the negative impact of movies, music and video games |
|
33% |
“Church
is boring.” |
|
Over
33% |
“Christians
are too confident they know all the answers” |
|
25% |
“Christianity
is anti-science.” |
|
17% |
They’ve
“made mistakes and feel judged in church because of them.” |
|
33% |
They
feel like they can’t ask life’s most pressing questions in church |
If I were running a college ministry, what would I want to know from them?
Well, lots of things. They would have so many ideas (and this is one of the most difficult seasons of life to pastor in my short experience. I know others have done it well). But here are some questions that I would be begging for honesty and transparency without any judgment.
1.
What was your biggest difficulty / challenge in your first year of college?
2.
What was the biggest difference between high school and college?
3.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to a junior or senior HS
student? (what do wish you had known as a Jr. or Sr in HS)
4.
How difficult is it to maintain a healthy spiritual walk in the midst of
college life?
5. Do
you agree that people who go to college struggle with leaving the church? Why
or why not?
Possible Answers:
a. Hypocrisy from
members or leaders
b. Political Views
c. Problems with the
Bible
d. No room for us or our
ideas
How can we do a better job of bridging the gap between “millennials” (this term may already be obsolete) or GenZ and the older members of the church?
The short answer: Create a multi-generational church. If we create a “youth” church and an “old people” church, and we then expect the youth to graduate into the latter, our expectations may be way off.
How do we create this multi-generational church?
1.
Serve alongside them and have them serve alongside us. (Perhaps the first step is to remove “them” and “us” from this list)
2.
Disciple them (one on one)
3.
Training them in positions of leadership. Youth must be involved and see how their service benefits others. How can they contribute to the kingdom now, not just later?
a.
*** not ignoring their uniqueness
b. Overarching Idea: Listening to them to
discern how God is moving through this generation to accomplish His purpose.
Statistics for Why Millennials Stay Connected to
Church—Supports Our Suggestions Above
Barna Study (2013)
- Develop meaningful relationships with millennials
- Teach millennials to study and discern what’s happening in the culture
- Help millennials discover their own mission in the world, rather than ask them to wait their turn
- Teach millennials a more potent theology of vocation, or calling.
- Help millennials develop a lasting faith by facilitating a deeper sense of intimacy with God
Statistics
for Which Teenagers Stay in Church
LifeWay Research, 2007
I wanted the church to help guide my decisions in
everyday life (prior to 18).
My parents were still married to each other and both
attended church (prior to 18).
The pastor's sermons were relevant to my life (prior to
18).
At least one adult from church made a significant
investment in me personally and spiritually (between 15 and 18).
So, what obstacles do you think will keep us from
doing the above things? What keeps both the college students and older
generations from serving alongside each other, listening to one another, and
creating this discipleship relationship in a healthy, multi-generational
church?
Perhaps the biggest hindrance is a fear of “losing the church.” This is not the only reason, and there are lots of churches who excel at training the next generation. But many are not. It may be a real fear that the millennials will not be able to bring the Gospel forward unless the “church” (not to mention the global body is serving differently than our local contexts) keep certain things sacred. What things? E.g., music, buildings, missions programs, Sunday order of services, programs.
Regardless of the actual hindrances that churches face in this issue, how do we overcome them? We must remember the head of the church, Jesus. He is sovereign over all things. The church has survived generational changes for two millennia. We have to train the next generation and this requires wisdom from all involved.
Teens may think it’s easier to start something new than reform something old, but that’s not necessarily the case. Resources are available from previous generations to springboard gospel ministry for many years. Learn from wiser and older believers.
By growing in Christ together as one body, the church strengthens. But we must become one body, learning and being taught, serving alongside one another for a broken world.
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