LifeWay Research Examines The New View of Young Adults

The most recent study by LifeWay Research reveals young adults are falling away from church and many are finding church irrelevant to their lives.

The need to reach people age 18 to 34 can be seen by simply comparing the following statistics: In 1980, more than 100,000 young adults were baptized in Southern Baptist churches. In 2005, slightly more than 60,000 young adults were baptized in SBC churches; a number drastically lower with the United States population climbing above 300 million.

What’s the problem? Why are young adults not finding church relevant for their lives? LifeWay Research, a department of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, sought to find answers by conducting an eight-month research project which included interviews with unchurched adults 18 to 34 years of age, regular church attendees and church leaders from all geographical regions throughout the U.S.

Churchgoers or not, the study results indicate young adults are nonetheless longing for community and fellowship with peers, looking for ways to reach people in need and circling the church but not always finding a home in it.

Connection is key

Seventy-three percent of church members and 47 percent of non-affiliated young adults indicated that community with other young adults is extremely important in their lives.

The lack of opportunity for connection within the church proves to be a frustration point for young adults. One study participant said, “After graduation they give you a pat on the back and say, ‘when you start a family, we’ll be here for you.’”

Another respondent said, “Young adults are in the middle; not married, not old enough, not in high school—[we’re] in this ‘ugh’ stage.”

“The church’s responsibility is to reach every generation with the love of Jesus Christ,” said Jim Johnston, director of young adult ministry at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. “It just so happens that this generation’s biggest need is relationship. The church ought to be the author and purveyor of the best, deepest, most loving friendships around.”

Seeking authentic answers

The second most important thing for young adult churchgoers is participation in small-group meetings to discuss life application of Scripture (71 percent). And both churchgoers and those not affiliated said they desired to participate in Bible study that minimizes finding pat answers in the exploration of Scripture.

“The lost and the saved in this age group are looking for just what the church can provide in Biblical community,” Johnston said. “They want absolute truth but they embrace the struggle of finding it themselves. They don’t want it to be spoon-fed to them.”

One study respondent indicated it’s not always about one person with all the answers, but there is value in the combined knowledge and experiences of others. Another study participant put the importance of small-group meetings this way, “What draws people is a climate of honesty. We don’t come and say we’re going to hide from each other—and give Sunday school answers.”

The small-group atmosphere is also where this generation can find “advice from individuals with similar experiences,” the respondent said, which is one of the top five most important things to both churched and unchurched young adults, with 68 percent and 45 percent, respectively, saying it’s very important.

Some young adults are finding this advice through connection with adults in their 50s, 60s and 70s.

“We saw churches that had cooking classes [and] financial classes where veteran Christians were teaching young adults these basic life skills they needed, and at the same time were able to teach them about Christ through relationship,” Johnston said.

Making a difference is essential

Another high-ranking priority of today’s young adult population is the opportunity to meet the needs of others (social action) on a regular basis. Sixty-six percent of churchgoers rated this as extremely important in their lives, and 47 percent of non-churchgoers said the same.

The study indicates that social action is a big entryway to the church for young adults. In fact, social action is cited as the major reason unchurched young adults would consider being part of a church.

“Young adults gravitate to churches that are making an impact,” Johnston said. “This age group is embracing service, social action and missions. They will embrace the church with a cause as well.”

Valerie Hancock, editor in chief of Threads Bible study series for young adults, says social action is especially important to this age group, perhaps because they’re able to see the needs of others more often and more realistically through the resources available at their fingertips.

The next step

After seeing several churches that are effectively reaching this generation, Johnston believes there is a bright future for young adults.

“I truly believe [this generation] wants to embrace Jesus Christ and His plan for their life,” Johnston said. “They want to embrace church, but only the genuine, earth-shaking, Christ-powered New Testament church. For some churches, that’s going to mean changing methodology—but not the message of the Bible.”

Johnston says it’s simple: Give this generation the unbridled truth of the gospel, without apology, and they will actively embrace it.

LifeWay Christian Resources is answering the needs of this generation by offering a comprehensive plan for developing young adult ministry in churches, which includes a new Bible study series targeted to this age group. Threads incorporates innovative Bible studies, training for leaders and events for individuals, all intended to practically help churches reach young adults and to present the 18 to 34 demographic with the things they say they want most. (Find out more about Threads at ThreadsMedia.com.)

If more churches catch on and seek ways to reach young adults, Johnston believes something powerful will surely happen.

“I firmly believe God is orchestrating a movement of His people in this age group,” Johnston said. “This research should give us a great leap forward toward understanding what God is calling us to do to reach this generation.”