Sermon Tone Analysis

Introducing Tristan Beloat

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2/3 of youth who grow up in the church will drop out between the age of 18-22

if you have a youth group of 15 that means only 5 will remain.

While the 66 percent may be troubling for many church leaders, the numbers may appear more hopeful when compared to a 2007 study from LifeWay Research.

Previously, 70 percent of 18- to 22-year-old left church for at least one year.

But this 4% is hardly enough to be considered a statistical change

It has been said that Regardless of any external factors, the Protestant church is slowly shrinking form within”

Why they dropout

The five most frequently chosen specific reasons for dropping out were: moving to college and no longer attending (34 percent); church members seeming judgmental or hypocritical (32 percent); no longer feeling connected to people in their church (29 percent); disagreeing with the church’s stance on political or social issues (25 percent); and work responsibilities (24 percent).

Almost half (47 percent) of those who dropped out and attended college say moving to college played a role in their no longer attending church for at least a year.

“Most of the reasons young adults leave the church reflect shifting personal priorities and changes in their own habits,” said McConnell.

“Even when churches have faithfully communicated their beliefs through words and actions, not every teenager who attends embraces or prioritizes those beliefs.”

Among all those who dropped out, 29 percent say they planned on taking a break from church once they graduated high school.

Seven in 10 (71 percent) say their leaving wasn’t an intentional decision.

“For the most part, people aren’t leaving the church out of bitterness, the influence of college atheists, or a renunciation of their faith,” said Trueblood.

“What the research tells us may be even more concerning for Protestant churches: there was nothing about the church experience or faith foundation of those teenagers that caused them to seek out a connection to a local church once they entered a new phase of life.

The time they spent with activity in church was simply replaced by something else.”

Those who Stayed

Those who stayed reported that they saw church as a vital part of their relationship with God (56 percent) and that they wanted the church to help guide their decisions in everyday life (54 percent).

Around 4 in 10 (43 percent) say they wanted to follow the example of a parent or other family member.

Similar numbers say they continued to attend because church activities were a big part of their life (39 percent), they felt church was helping them become a better person (39 percent), or they were committed to the purpose and work of the church (37 percent).

Those who stay see themselves as loved, connected, part of the larger church

We need a minister now more than ever, whose may focus helping youth manage these difficult times in their lives, live out God in their lives, form relationships, and all for the glory of God.

A minister that can foster real life application of God moving in their lives.

—Bibliography---

https://lifewayresearch.com/2019/01/15/most-teenagers-drop-out-of-church-as-young-adults/