Threads Presentation: What Matters to Young Adults?

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Revitalizing the church by investing in Revitalizing the church by investing in God’s people 18-34 years of ageGod’s people 18-34 years of age

What matters to What matters to young adultsyoung adults

• Eight-month LifeWay research Eight-month LifeWay research projectproject

• Based on interviews with Based on interviews with unchurched Young Adults, Young unchurched Young Adults, Young Adult church members, and Young Adult church members, and Young Adult leadersAdult leaders

• Confirmed by surveyConfirmed by survey

• All geographic regions of the U.S.All geographic regions of the U.S.

What matters to young adults

LifeWay Young Adult | Helping churches reach people 18 to 34 years old for Christ

WHAT ARE THE KEY IMAGES OF 18–34 YEAR OLD YOUNG ADULTS AS THEY INTERACT WITH THE CHURCH & WITH EACH OTHER?

LET ME SAFELY JOIN THE

CONVERSATION

IT’S NOT 1 PERSON WITH ALL THE

ANSWERS; IT’S ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THEIR COMBINED KNOWLEDGE AND

EXPERIENCE

I WAS AFRAID THEY’D BE OVER MY

HEAD BECAUSE I FELT UNEDUCATED ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGIOUS

THINGS

YOU DON’T FIT SO WE DON’T CARE

YOUNG ADULTS ARE IN THE MIDDLE—NOT MARRIED, NOT OLD

ENOUGH, NOT IN HIGH SCHOOL—YOU’RE AT THIS “UGH” STAGE

AFTER GRADUATION THEY GIVE YOU A PAT ON THE BACK AND SAY, “WHEN

YOU START A FAMILY WE’LL BE HERE FOR

YOU.”

DON’T SHUT ME OUT

YAs ARE LOOKING FOR REAL MEANING & MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE. THEY ARE NOT WAITING FOR ANYONE; THEY’RE JUST DOING IT.

SHOW ME THE REAL THING

I WALKED INTO CHURCH WITH

BAGGAGE—CHURCH BURNOUT, TIRED OF

GAMES, POINTING OUT HYPOCRITES,

OVERLY PROGRAMMED

IT WAS BORING, DEAD. I JUST

WANTED TO SAY “YOU’RE UP THERE

SINGING ABOUT THE JOY OF THE LORD

AND YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ARE AT A

FUNERAL”

I WANT TO BE CONNECTED

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

BEING IN A HOME IS A DIFFERENT

ATMOSPHERE—WE’RE ALL SITTING AROUND THE TABLE EATING DINNER AND

CATCHING UP

I WANT A PLACE I CAN CALL MY OWN,

BE A PART, BE HEARD AND

NURTURED, WHERE YOU KNOW

SOMEONE ENOUGH THAT YOU’RE NOT ASHAMED TO ASK

SOMEONE FOR SOMETHING

WORSHIP DRAWS US TOGETHER & SMALL

GROUPS KEEP US TOGETHER

YOU’RE FAMILY

HUNGRY TO KNOW INTIMATELY &

CHALLENGED BUT ALSO ANONYMOUS

I’LL SAY LITURGY ALL DAY LONG IF

SOMEBODY WILL UNDERSTAND MY

PAIN

THE GREETER SAID “I DON’T KNOW YOU” & GAVE HER A HUG; SHE JUST CRIED AS

SHE TOOK HER SEAT—FIRST HUG SHE’D HAD IN A YEAR; YAs

ARE LONELY

ALL ALONE IN A CROWD

WE ALL HAVE CRAZY SCHEDULES—WHEN

WE DO GET TOGETHER IT’S A

MIRACLE

YAs ARE SEARCHING WITH AN UNSETTLED

FEELING, ALMOST LIKE A NOMAD

WHO AM I GOING TO CALL WHENEVER I

HAVE AN IMMEDIATE NEED OR WHO AM I

GOING TO CALL WHENEVER I WANT

TO GO TO STARBUCKS. IT REALLY HELPED

WITH THOSE KIND OF CONNECTIONS THAT KIND OF DOING LIFE TOGETHER, AS WE

OFTEN SAY AROUND HERE


IT’S NOT ABOUT ME?

SOME YAs HAVE A MONDAY—

SATURDAY NIGHT LIFE AND THEN FEEL

OBLIGATED TO CHECK IN WITH GOD

ON SUNDAY

YAs STILL WANT TO PLAY XBOX AND

HANGOUT UNTIL 2 AM, BUT THEN BE AT

A JOB INTERVIEW THE NEXT MORNING

IT’S ON MY TERMS

WE’RE SO FAST FOOD. WE’RE SO

INSTANT GRATIFICATION THAT FOR OUR CULTURE,

FOR OUR AGE GROUP…EASY AND

INSTANT. YOU WANT GOD LIKE THAT

IT’S MY WAY ON THE HIGHWAY

WHEN I SIT DOWN IN A CLASS, I GET OUT MY LAPTOP AND MY BLACKBERRY—MY

IPOD IS SITTING OVER HERE FROM WHERE I WALKED

TO CLASS LISTENING TO MUSIC

WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO KNOW SO MUCH

MORE THAN PEOPLE DID 50 YEARS AGO;

NOW YOU DON’T HAVE AN EXCUSE TO NOT KNOW WHAT’S

GOING ON

WE CORRESPOND THROUGH OUR BLOG RATHER THAN MAKE 12 CALLS TO SEE IF ANYBODY IS DOING

ANYTHING

…IF I SAY BUY ME 5 PACKS OF SOCKS & BRING THEM TO THE CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING SO

WE CAN GIVE THEM TO KIDS WHO DON’T HAVE SOCKS, THEY’LL ALL COME WITH A BAG OF

SOCKS

WOW ME, BEFRIEND ME, & LET’S MAKE A

DIFFERENCE

CHURCH IS A HIGH PRESSURE

ENVIRONMENT LIKE A CAR LOT

THEY DON’T WANT FAKE CHRISTIANITY. THEY DON’T WANT

CHURCH. THEY DON’T NEED

CHURCH. THEY WANT REAL

RELATIONSHIPS. THEY WANT LIFE

TOGETHER IS BETTER

WHAT TYPE OF CHRISTIANITY ARE

YOU SELLING? THEY DON’T WANT TO JOIN

A COUNTRY CLUB- JOIN A CLUB & PAY

DUES, BUY FROM AN AMWAY SALESMAN. THEY WANT TO JOIN

CHRISTIANITY. BEYOND JOINING

CHURCH, IF YOU’RE INVOLVED IN A

MOVEMENT, THAT DRAWS YOU IN.

HELP ME FIND MY WAY

THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE FROM SOCIETY ABOUT

MAKING MONEY AND PROVIDING FOR

YOUR FAMILY AND BEING ABLE TO

AFFORD A HOME AND A CERTAIN

LIFESTYLE. I THINK ALL THOSE INTERNAL

PRESSURES STARTED TO

COLLIDE W/I ME & THEY ALSO

COLLIDED W/ MY FAITH

YAs SEARCHING FOR TRUTH THAT HELPS THEM LIVE WELL ON

A DAILY BASIS

I WANT TO KNOW WHO I AM, BUT I’M

NOT SURE

YOU’RE STRUGGLING, I’M STRUGGLING, NO

GAMES

THAT’S THE FIRST TIME I HAD EVER

SEEN WHAT DOING LIFE WITH JESUS

DAY TO DAY LOOKED LIKE. I SAW PEOPLE W/ THEIR KNEES IN

THE DIRT—THEY DIDN’T HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER—THEY

HAD PROBLEMS TOO

WE CAN’T HAVE ANY KIND OF GOOD BIBLE

STUDY IF PEOPLE AREN’T BEING REAL

WHAT DRAWS PEOPLE IS A CLIMATE OF

HONESTY. WE DON’T COME AND SAY

WE’RE GOING TO HIDE FROM EACH

OTHER AND PUT ON MASKS AND GIVE ALL TRICK ANSWERS AND

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANSWERS


14

15

THE YA DESIRES TO INTERACT

WITH MEMBERS OF THE GROUP A MAXIMUM TIMES

PER WEEK

YA LIKE LIFE CONNECTIONS

YAs DESIRE A MAXIMUM OF

PROGRAMS THAT SPAN YA STAGES

OF LIFE (CHILDREN, NO

CHILDREN, YOUNGER, OLDER, SINGLE, MARRIED)

YAs WANT THE MAXIMUM

AMOUNT OF OPPORTUNITIES

TO CONNECT WITH YOUNG

ADULTS

11

9

10

YOUNG ADULTS WANT TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE TOGETHER.

WHAT ARE THE KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR 18 TO 34 YEAR OLD YOUNG ADULTS (YA) AS THEY INTERACT WITH THE CHURCH AND WITH EACH OTHER?

YOUNG ADULTS WANT REAL CONNECTIONS

THE YOUNG ADULT

DESIRES BIBLE STUDY MATERIALS TO BE USED

IN A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SETTINGS

(LOCATIONS)

THE YA DESIRES MEDIA CONTENT SUPPORT TO MAXIMIZE BIBLE STUDY

DISCUSSION TIME

YA WANT MO’ MEDIA

THE YA DESIRES TO DOWNLOAD A MEDIA

OPTION THAT IS OPTIMIZED WITH THEIR LEARNING

STYLE

YOUNG ADULTS WANT VARIETY

THE YA DESIRES INFO AND ADVICE

FROM A MAXIMUM

NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE

THAT EXPERIENCE

YA SAY “BE MY SHERPA”

THE YA WILL HAVE A MAXIMUM

NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES

TO CONNECT WITH A MENTOR

THE YA DESIRES A BIBLE STUDY

WORSHIP EXPERIENCE

WITH A MAXIMUM VARIETY OF DYNAMIC / CREATIVE ELEMENTS

14

12

17

16

THE YA DESIRES TO DOWNLOAD A

MAXIMUM VARIETY OF MEDIA OPTIONS

(MUSIC, PODCASTS) RELATED TO THE

STUDY TOPIC

18

THE YA DESIRES TO EASE EXPLORING THE

CHURCH ENVIRONMENT WITH A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF

PRESSURE FOR COMMITMENT

19

15

THE YA DESIRES TO BENEFIT OTHERS THROUGH A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GLOBAL SERVICE

OPPORTUNITIES

YAs SAY “LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE”

THE YA DESIRES TO UTILIZE THEIR TALENTS AND ABILITIES THROUGH A

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES

20 21 THE YA WILL PARTICIPATE IN HANDS-ON OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF OTHERS ON A FREQUENT BASIS

22

YOUNG ADULTS WANT NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

YOUNG ADULTS

WANT TO MAKE TRUTH THEIR OWN

THE YA WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES

TO PARTICIPATE IN BIBLE STUDIES

ABOUT A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF

FOUNDATIONAL CHIRSTIAN

TRUTHS

THE YA DESIRES TO DETERMINE

THEIR OWN BELIEFS THROUGH

A MAXIMUM OF HANDS-ON

(PRACTICAL) LEARNING

EXPERIENCES

1

2

YAs WANT LEARNING

MATERIALS THAT MINIMIZE THE USE

OF CHURCH JARGON

3

THE YA DESIRES TO PARTICIPATE IN

SMALL GROUP MEETINGS TO DISCUSS LIFE

APPLICATION OF SCRIPTURE WITH A

MAXIMUM FREQUENCY

THE YA DESIRES BIBLE STUDIES

WITH CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS WITH A

MAXIMUM FREQUENCY

YAs WANT THE REAL TRUTH

4

THE YA DESIRES TO PARTICIPATE IN BIBLE STUDY THAT MINIMIZES FINDING PAT ANSWERS IN

THE EXPLORATION OF SCRIPTURE

6

5

THE YA DESIRES GENDER

SPECIFIC SMALL GROUP

ENVIRONMENTS TO DISCUSS A MAXIMUM OF

TOPICS

YOUNG ADULTS “SMALLER HELPS ME BELONG”

THE YA IS ABLE TO

PARTICIPATE IN A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES

THAT PROMOTE RELATIONSHIP /

BELONGING

8

7

13


What’s Changed?




Pew Forum on Religion and Public Pew Forum on Religion and Public LifeLife

2/24/08

3 out of 4 people age 18 to 29 have ZEROaffiliation with any religious institution

1 in 4 have left the faith of their childhood

12 percent -- “no religion in particular’’

89 percent would like to talk to a Christian friend about their beliefs.

Finding Community is absolutely #1Finding Community is absolutely #1 when it comes to both believers and the lost in this age group.when it comes to both believers and the lost in this age group.

Behave/Believe/BelongBehave/Believe/Belong vs.vs.

Belong/Believe/BecomeBelong/Believe/Become

““The greeter gave her a hug, and she cried. The greeter gave her a hug, and she cried. It was the first hug she’d had in a year. It was the first hug she’d had in a year. Young Adults are lonely.”Young Adults are lonely.”

What matters to young adults

In 1980, 100,260 YAs were baptized in SBC churches.In 1980, 100,260 YAs were baptized in SBC churches.In 2006, 58,099 YAs were baptized in SBC churches.In 2006, 58,099 YAs were baptized in SBC churches.

18 to 34 U.S. population is 74 million today 18 to 34 U.S. population is 74 million today

Evangelism works, but only if there is:Evangelism works, but only if there is:RelationshipRelationship

DiscussionDiscussionLow-pressureLow-pressure

““Church is a high-pressure environment – Church is a high-pressure environment – like a car lot.”like a car lot.”

What matters to young What matters to young adultsadults

Responsibility is a Very Close #2Responsibility is a Very Close #2

““I WON’T join your church if you if you don’t promise toI WON’T join your church if you if you don’t promise togive me something to do in the first six months.’’give me something to do in the first six months.’’24-year-old prospect - Hermitage, TN24-year-old prospect - Hermitage, TN

McLean Bible Church - McLean, VAMcLean Bible Church - McLean, VA

More than 10,000 members More than 10,000 members

70% of the volunteer positions 70% of the volunteer positions (teaching,serving, reaching) are handled by (teaching,serving, reaching) are handled by people under 30 years of age.people under 30 years of age.


Service is rapidly becoming THE way Service is rapidly becoming THE way to reach young adults for Christ. to reach young adults for Christ. Around the country, people are Around the country, people are being drawn by social action to being drawn by social action to Christ and His people. Christ and His people.

Among unchurched young adults, Among unchurched young adults, social action is cited as a major social action is cited as a major reason why they could consider reason why they could consider being a part of a church. being a part of a church.


““Our church has a partnership with an Our church has a partnership with an orphanage in Baja. A friend went with orphanage in Baja. A friend went with me to serve and loved the kids down me to serve and loved the kids down there. He was saved through that there. He was saved through that experience. Service is really becoming experience. Service is really becoming an entry point to Christianity.”an entry point to Christianity.”

Missions leaderMissions leaderMariners Church - Orange County, Calif.Mariners Church - Orange County, Calif.


Depth is #3Depth is #3

““No pat answers.”No pat answers.”

““The Conversation Generation”The Conversation Generation”

66 percent of Young Adults have a made a 66 percent of Young Adults have a made a “commitment” to Jesus, but only 3 percent have “commitment” to Jesus, but only 3 percent have a Biblical worldview. – Kinnaman, a Biblical worldview. – Kinnaman, UnChristianUnChristian


Small group Bible Study is a need for young adults Small group Bible Study is a need for young adults but …but …

““It’s not one person with all the answers.”It’s not one person with all the answers.”

““What draws people is a climate of What draws people is a climate of honesty.”honesty.”

““I was afraid they’d be over my head.”I was afraid they’d be over my head.”


• Life application of scripture is crucialLife application of scripture is crucial

• Lecture style is not appealingLecture style is not appealing

• Discussion/connection is hugeDiscussion/connection is huge

• Talking head video? Thumbs downTalking head video? Thumbs down

• We studied it – now let’s do somethingWe studied it – now let’s do something

• Just add musicJust add music

• Print is not deadPrint is not dead

• I need a friendI need a friend


YA Survey - Section C OverviewYA Survey - Section C Overview

Q3: Preferred Media Choices

Three Most Preferred Media Choices

Survey/Choices Leader Member Unaffil

Music 24% 20% 20%

Spoken Word/Audio 13% 16% 16%

Printed Handouts/

Books/Listening Guides24% 32% 27%

Icebreaker Video Clips 12% 8% 9%

Training on Video 8% 9% 8%

Dramatic Video 9% 8% 8%

Interviews on Video 7% 6% 10%

Other 3% 2% 2%

Survey/Choices Leader Member Unaffil

Prayer 14% 16% 16%

Fellowship 17% 17% 17%

Hands-on Learning Activities

12% 10% 15%

Viewing/Listening to Media Content

9% 8% 10%

Teacher Explanation/Lecture

21% 21% 14%

Discussion 26% 27% 25%

Other 1% 0% 3%

The Unaffiliated Have a Slight Preference for Hands-on The Unaffiliated Have a Slight Preference for Hands-on Learning Activities & Prefer Less LectureLearning Activities & Prefer Less Lecture

Q4: What percentage of study time should be spent Q4: What percentage of study time should be spent on these activities?on these activities?

Giving Matters Giving Matters

• At Passion ’06, Young Adults gave more than At Passion ’06, Young Adults gave more than $300,000 in one night to send the Passion $300,000 in one night to send the Passion message to cities around the world. message to cities around the world.

At Passion ’07, the total was $700,000, not At Passion ’07, the total was $700,000, not including 13,000 towels and 31,000 pairs of including 13,000 towels and 31,000 pairs of socks for inner city ministry.socks for inner city ministry.

• If what the church is doing is real, valuable, and If what the church is doing is real, valuable, and making a difference in the world, young adults making a difference in the world, young adults will give of themselves and their resources to will give of themselves and their resources to support ministry.support ministry.


Connection is No. 4Connection is No. 4

Young Adults are looking for mentors and friends of allYoung Adults are looking for mentors and friends of allages who have gone through the experiences in whichages who have gone through the experiences in whichthey are about to engage.they are about to engage.

““Young adults are searching for truth that helps Young adults are searching for truth that helps them live well on a daily basis.”them live well on a daily basis.”


The Horseshoe EffectThe Horseshoe Effect

Young Adults feel a true kinship with their Young Adults feel a true kinship with their grandparents that may be missing with their grandparents that may be missing with their parents.parents.

Find a way to get your Young Adults Find a way to get your Young Adults together with the Senior Adults in your together with the Senior Adults in your church. They need each other.church. They need each other.


Young Adult Ministry: Young Adult Ministry: Best PracticesBest Practices

4 Threads: Community – Responsibility – Depth --- Connection4 Threads: Community – Responsibility – Depth --- Connection

• Multiple Bible study options – all relational groupsMultiple Bible study options – all relational groups

• Mid-week worship gathering – relationally drivenMid-week worship gathering – relationally driven

• Get the entire church involved in YA Ministry.Get the entire church involved in YA Ministry.Do not create a separate “church.”Do not create a separate “church.”

• Make service essential (inside and outside the church).Make service essential (inside and outside the church).

• Go a mile deep and an inch-wide to startGo a mile deep and an inch-wide to start

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Threads Presentation: What Matters to Young Adults?

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