faces of young adults ages 18-22: the effect of church dropouts spring 2007

Faces of Young Adults ages Faces of Young Adults ages

18-22: The Effect of Church 18-22: The Effect of Church

DropoutsDropouts

Spring 2007

2

Report Contents

• Methodology & Terminology 3• Introduction 5• Key Findings 6• Young Adult Church Attendance 7• Church Involvement 12• Views of their Church 22• Impressions of Church Members 28• Current Status of Young Adults 32

3

Methodology• Survey of Young Adults ages 18-30 in April-May 2007

• Sample size of 1,023 provides 95% confidence that sampling error does not exceed +3.1%

• Eligible respondents attended a Protestant church regularly (twice a month or more) for at least a year in high school

• The web survey utilized a representative national panel of Americans

– Panels have been utilized by research firms such as the Gallup Organization and National Family Opinion (NFO) for over 60 years

– Online panels have been heavily utilized by Gallup, NFO, Harris Interactive and others for over 10 years

– Panels facilitate accurate sampling and high response rates and ensure that emerging generations without telephone landlines are included

4

Terminology• Dropouts – Church “Dropouts” are defined as those who “stopped

attending church regularly for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22.” Note: Since 35% of dropouts ages 23-30 have returned to attending church twice a month, some do indicate church activity between ages 18-22.

• Statistically Significant – If this population were randomly surveyed over and over, the noted difference in responses would be repeated almost every time (in technical terms: the difference cannot be attributed to random variation alone). Note: the fact that statistical significance is detected does not always mean that practical significance is present.

5

Introduction

Three distinct groups of 18-22 year olds exist based on their church attendance history:

1. Those who have never attended church regularly (“unchurched” – not addressed in this study)

2. Those who have consistently attended church regularly (“stayed”)

3. Those who attended regularly for at least a year in high school, but stopped attending for at least a year between ages 18-22 (“dropouts”)

Although large differences between these groups are expected, the detailed description of those who stayed and dropouts have equally large strategic implications for churches seeking to reach them

6

Key FindingsAmong 18-22 year olds, those who stayed in church are

very different compared to those who dropped out:• Current church involvement (majority involved vs. few have

returned) • Views of their church (large majority positive vs. one third positive) • Impressions of church members (caring and welcoming vs.

judgmental and hypocritical)

• Influence from others (large majority have positive influencers vs. half have positive influencers)

These divergent characteristics may include both:• Contributors to the decision to drop out, and• Results of the decision to drop out

7

Young Adult Church Attendance

Note: Since 35% of dropouts ages 23-30 have returned to attending church twice a month, some do indicate church attendance between ages 18-22 despite dropping out for at least a year

8

Only one out of seven dropouts indicate twice-a-month attendance at a

given age between 19 and 22

Q1a. At which of the following ages did you regularly attend church (by “regularly attend,” we mean attend at least twice a month for three or more months)? Base: Current Age >= Age asked about (n ranges from =1,023 at age 18 to 785 at age 22)

Twice a month church attendance by age

62%

64%

65%

63%29%

13%

13%

12%

14%

72%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Age 22*

Age 21*

Age 20*

Age 19*

Age 18*

Stayed

Dropouts

Age 20 marks the largest difference between dropouts and those who stay

*Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

9

By age 23, the percent of dropouts attending again twice a month is growing, but it is

declining among those who stayed

Q1a. At which of the following ages did you regularly attend church (by “regularly attend,” we mean attend at least twice a month for three or more months)? Base: Current Age >= Age asked about (n ranges from =732 at age 23 to 465 at age 26)

Twice a month church attendance by age

57%

59%

61%

64%

25%

22%

19%

18%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Age 26*

Age 25*

Age 24*

Age 23*

Stayed

Dropouts


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More than one quarter of current attendees (29%) began attending their

current church in preschool

Q1c. At what age did you begin attending your current church? Base: S5=Currently attending (n=783)

Age began attending current church

17%

29%

19%

10%

17%

26%

29%

17%

21%

16%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Age 23 or more*

Age 18-22

Age 13-17*

Age 6-12

Age 5 or lessStayed

Dropouts

More of those who stayed in church started to attend this church after grade school

More dropouts who attend today found their current church after Age 22


11

Frequent church switchers are not common among young adults

Q1b. How many different churches have you regularly attended since becoming a teenager (since turning 13)? Base: All (n=1,023)

32%

17%

2%

4%

12%

51%

2%

4%

52%

25%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

8 or more

6 - 7

4 - 5*

2 - 3

Only 1*

StayedDropouts

Number of different churches attended regularly since turning 13


12

Church Involvement Between Ages 18-22

Note: Since 35% of dropouts ages 23-30 have returned to attending church twice a month, some do indicate church involvement between ages 18-22 despite dropping out for at least a year

13

Attendance and participation between ages 18-22

Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023)

The effect of two thirds of young adults dropping out of church for at least a year between ages 18-22 is seen in how they characterize their participation over this 5 year span

Among ALL young adults:• I attended worship services regularly (half the number prior to 18)

42%• I attended a small group, Sunday school, or discipleship class

27%• I participated in service projects through church

31%• I consistently gave financially to the church

36%• I participated in mission trips

19%

Among Dropouts, ages 18-22 compared to prior to age 18, Fewer indicate participation:• In worship services (20% vs. 84%) and small groups (14% vs. 63%)• In service projects through church (17% vs. 47%)• In consistently giving financially to the church (22% vs. 38%)• In mission trips (11% vs. 25%)

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Friends and responsibility at church between ages 18-22


Among ALL young adults:• I had regular responsibilities at church

27%• I held a leadership position in my activities at church

20%

Among ALL young adults:• My group of friends respected peers who attended church

48%

The majority of ALL young adults indicate they lack positive peer pressure to attend church between ages 18-22

Among Dropouts, ages 18-22 compared to prior to age 18:Fewer indicate:• Friends respected peers who attended church (37% vs. 53%)• I had regular responsibilities at church (13% vs. 31%) • I held a leadership position in their activities at church (11% vs. 21%)

15

Personal desires and disciplines related to church between ages 18-22


Among ALL young adults:• I had a strong personal belief system in place

65%• I spent regular time in prayer privately

57%• I wanted the church to help guide my decisions in everyday life

47%• I spent regular time reading the Bible privately

41%

Among Dropouts, ages 18-22 compared to prior to age 18:Fewer indicate they:• Had a strong belief system in place (56% vs. 67%)• Wanted the church to help guide their decisions in everyday life

(30% vs. 46%)

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Family and Adult Influences between ages 18-22


Among ALL young adults:• Parents or family members attended church regularly

60% • My parents or family members genuinely liked church

64%• My parents or family members provided spiritual guidance

56%• An adult spend time with me regularly to help me grow spiritually

27%

Among Dropouts, ages 18-22 compared to prior to age 18:Fewer indicate:• Parents or family attended church regularly (49% vs. 72%)• Parents or family genuinely liked church (54% vs. 67%)• Parents or family provided spiritual guidance (45% vs. 59%)• An adult spent time with them regularly to help them grow spiritually

(17% vs. 35%)

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A wide church activity gap exists between dropouts and those who stay

in church between ages 18-22


Since few have returned to church activities, the activity gap confirms that dropouts must be sought outside the church

Those who stayed in church compared to those who dropped out:

• ATTENDANCE: 63% more of those who stay characterize this period as at time that they regularly attended worship services (83% vs. 20%)

• DESIRE: 48% more of those who stay indicate they wanted the church to help guide their decisions in everyday life (78% vs. 30%)

• FINANCES: 42% more of those who stay indicate they gave financially to the church (64% vs. 22%)

• PARTICIPATION: 39% more of those who stay indicate they participated in services projects through church (56% vs. 17%)

• RESPONSIBILITY: 38% more of those who stay indicate they have regular responsibilities at church (51% vs. 13%)

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Because few dropouts return by age 22, dropouts indicate little participation

compared to those who stayed


Church attendance and participation between ages 18-22*

34%

51%

56%

20%

22%

11%

14%

17%

64%

83%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Mission trips

Attended a small group/ SundaySchool, or discipleship class

Service projects

Consistently gave financially

Worship services

StayedDropouts

*All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant

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Compared to those who stay in church, half as many dropouts indicate they

receive positive peer pressure to attendFriends and responsibilities at church

between ages 18-22*

11%

13%

37%

37%

51%

70%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Held leadership position in myactivities at church

Had regular responsibilities atchurch

My friends repspected peers whoattended church

Stayed

Dropouts



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Dropouts indicate they practice spiritual disciplines much less than those who

stay in church



Personal desires and activities related to church between ages 18-22*

29%

30%

44%

56%

63%

78%

80%

83%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Spent regular time reading theBible privately

Wanted the Bible to help guide mydecisions in everyday life

Spent regular time in prayerprivately

Had strong personal belief systemin place

StayedDropouts

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Half of dropouts say they received spiritual guidance and a real example from their family between ages 18-22


17%

45%

49%

54%

46%

76%

82%

83%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

An adult spent time with meregularly to help me grow spiritually

Parents/family provided spiritualguidance

Parents/family attended churchregularly

Parents/family genuinely likedchurch

Stayed

Dropouts


Activity of family members and adults between ages 18-22*

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Views of their Church Between Ages 18-22

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Less than half of ALL young adults view their church positively between ages 18-22

Worship viewed by ALL young adultsAgree*

• The pastor’s sermons were engaging 48%• The pastor’s sermons were relevant to my life 48%• The worship style was appealing to me 47%

* Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree

Perspective viewed by ALL young adultsAgree*

• I agreed with beliefs taught in my church53%

• My church was important in my life45%

• I agreed with my church’s political perspective 42%

Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements about the church you attended as they pertain to your perceptions prior to turning 18 and whether they apply to your perceptions through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023)

Clearly ministry to young adults ages 18-22 is a post-modern environment – only half agree with the church’s beliefs

Beliefs relate to satisfaction in worship – among those who agree with the beliefs taught in their church, 76% find the worship style appealing

Compared to prior to age 18, 26% fewer dropouts agreed with their church’s beliefs (40% vs. 66%)

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Less than half of ALL young adults view their church positively between ages 18-22


Atmosphere viewed by ALL young adultsAgree*

• My church was a welcoming environment for people in my life stage47%

• Other people like me attended the church44%

• I felt “at home” at church41%

• My church offered appealing activities or small group studies for people in my life stage40%

• My church was a source of support during personal crises 39%


Among Dropouts, ages 18-22 compared to prior to age 18:Fewer dropouts indicate their church:• Was a welcoming environment for their life stage (34% vs. 54%)• Had other people like me attending (31% vs. 54%)• Felt “at home” (27% vs. 50%)• Offered appealing activities for their life stage (29% vs. 54%)• Was a source of support during personal crises (26% vs. 41%)

25

A wide church perspective gap exists between dropouts and those who stay

in church between ages 18-22This perception gap reveals the difficulty in attracting church dropouts back to church

Those who stayed in church compared to those who dropped out:• IMPORTANCE: 50% more of those who stay agree* that the church was important in their life during these years (78% vs. 28%)• WELCOMING: 42% more of those who stay agree* that they felt “at home” at church (69% vs. 27%)• WORSHIP: 41% more of those who stay agree* the worship style was appealing to them (74% vs. 33%)• RELEVANCE: 39% more of those who stay agree* the pastor’s sermons were relevant to their life (73% vs. 34%)



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Divergent views of their church’s beliefs and worship between ages 18-22

*Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree. All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant


73%

64%

72%

40%

28%

33%

34%

30%

35%

74%

78%

76%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

The pastor's sermons wererelevant to my life

I agreed with my church's politicalperspective

The pastor's sermons wereengaging

The worship style was appealing tome

My church was important in my life

I agreed with beliefs taught in mychurch

StayedDropouts

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*Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree. All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant


63%

69%

61%

34%

31%

26%

27%

29%

67%

72%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

My church was a source ofsupport during personal crises

I felt "at home" at church

My church offered appealingactivities or small group studies

for people in my life stage

Other people like me attended thechurch

My church was a welcomingenvironment for my life stage

StayedDropouts

Divergent views of the atmosphere at their church between ages 18-22

28

Impressions of Church Members Between

Ages 18-22

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Among ALL young adults, only half have positive impressions of church members

in general between ages 18-22Impressions of church members in general between ages 18-22

51% Caring

48% Welcoming (made me feel like part of the church)

48% Politically conservative 34% Insincere

43% Authentic/Real 33% Inspirational (like role models)

42% Judgmental 18% Legalistic

37% Cliquish 15% Lenient

36% Hypocritical 15% Politically liberal

35% Disapproving of those who didn’t meet their expectations regarding jobs, school, marriage, etc.

Q8. Please indicate which of the following statements describe your impression of church members in general prior to turning 18 and which statements describe your impression through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,004)

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Dropouts and those who stayed tend to have opposite impressions of church

members between ages 18-22


24%

67%

39%

36%

47%

43%

51%

30%

27%

49%

71%

74%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Cliquish*

Judgmental*

Authentic/Real*

Politically conservative

Welcoming*

Caring*

StayedDropouts


31



18%

44%

43%

41%

20%

13%

12%

17%19%

17%

20%

56%

19%

20%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Politically liberal

Lenient*

Legalistic

Inspirational*

Insincere*

Disapproving of those who didn't meetexpectations*

Hypocritical*

StayedDropouts

Dropouts and those who stayed tend to have opposite impressions of church

members between ages 18-22

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Current Status of Young AdultsAges 18-30

33

Two thirds of ALL young adults who attended a Protestant church for at least a

year in high school currently consider themselves Christian

Current beliefs about God

3%

4%

10%

13%

26%

43%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

I don't believe in God or any higher being

I am uncertain about my belief in God

I consider myself spiritual, but not religious

I believe in God, but am uncertain of Christianity

I consider myself a Christian, but not particularlydevout

I consider myself a devout Christian with a strongfaith in God

Q11. Which of the following statements best describes your current beliefs about God? Base: All (n=1,023)

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Those who stayed in church through ages 18-22 are much more likely to

have a strong faith in God todayCurrent beliefs about God*

4%

6%

14%

15%

31%

30%

1%

1%

5%

8%

18%

67%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

I don't believe in God or any higher being

I am uncertain about my belief in God

I consider myself spiritual, but not religious

I believe in God, but am uncertain of Christianity

I consider myself a Christian, but not particularlydevout

I consider myself a devout Christian with a strongfaith in God

Stayed

Dropouts

Q11. Which of the following statements best describes your current beliefs about God? Base: All (n=1,023)


35

Current Marital Status

Q15. What is your current marital status? Base: All (n=1,023)

Current marital status of young adults ages 18-30

0%

47%

48%

0%

1%

3%1%

0%

45%

54%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Widowed

Separated*

Divorced*

Married

Single/never married*

Stayed

Dropouts


36

Current Living Situation

Q17. Please indicate your current living situation Base: All (n=1,023)

17%

46%

15%

2%

10%

10%12%

3%

8%

8%

42%

26%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Other

Live alone

Live with roomate(s)

Live with partner/ significant other*

Live with spouse

Live with parents*

StayedDropouts

Current living situation among young adults ages 18-30


Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding

37

Current Parent Status

Q17b. Are you a parent? Base: All (n=1,023)

44%

38%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Yes

StayedDropouts

Young adults ages 18-30 who are parents*


faces of young adults ages 18-22: the effect of church dropouts spring 2007

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