threads presentation: what matters to young adults?
DESCRIPTION
An overview of what's happening with young adults and the church, and some ideas about how to start young adult ministry in your churchTRANSCRIPT
www.threadsmedia.com • 1.800.458.2772 • LifeWay Christian Stores
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
LifeWay Young Adult | Helping churches reach people 18 to 34 years old for Christ
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
LifeWay Young Adult | Helping churches reach people 18 to 34 years old for Christ
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
LifeWay Young Adult | Helping churches reach people 18 to 34 years old for Christ
What’s Changed?
LifeWay Young Adult | Helping churches reach people 18 to 34 years old for Christ
LifeWay Young Adult | Helping churches reach people 18 to 34 years old for Christ
LifeWay Young Adult | Helping churches reach people 18 to 34 years old for Christ
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.
What matters to young What matters to young adultsadults
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.
What matters to young What matters to young adultsadults
““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.
What matters to young What matters to young adultsadults
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
What matters to young What matters to young adultsadults
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.”
What matters to young What matters to young adultsadults
• 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
What matters to young What matters to young adultsadults
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.
What matters to young What matters to young adultsadults
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.”
What matters to young What matters to young adultsadults
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.
What matters to young What matters to young adultsadults
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