Churches that "Get it" Do Six Things to Keep Young Adults Involved
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 Two years ago Tobin Belzer, Richard W. Flory, Nadia Roumani and Brie Loskota conducted a study entitled "Congregations that Get It: Understanding Religious Identities in the Next Generation." Their study was published in a book called Passing on the Faith: Transforming Traditions for the Next Generation of Jews, Christians and Muslims, edited by James L. Heft (New York: Fordham University Press, 2006).
The authors studied several churches that seem to be successful in attracting young adults and passing the baton of godly faithfulness to them. They conclude that young adults are basically looking for six things:
1. Young adults want to feel that their presence is valued. They want to feel that they are a part of the body of Christ, that they are needed, and that they will be missed if they don't show up.
2. Young adults want a sense of ownership in their congregations. They want to have the opportunity to walk alongside leaders and have opportunities to have their ideas heard and acted on.
3. Young adults' interests in religion are multi-faceted. They want a place where they can be part of a community, obtain emotional support and guidance (mentoring), develop their personal and professional network and learn about tradition and rituals.
4. Young adults thrive when they are "met where they are." Many of them haven't grown up in church. They don't want to feel judged or be ashamed about what they do not know.
5. Young adults welcome opportunities to feel emotionally affected. They want to be moved by music, a connection to their history, a sense of cultural heritage and nostalgia.
6. Young adults respond to a theoretical and practical balance between the particular and the universal. They want to be free to ask hard questions and they shy away from people who show a lack of respect for other religious traditions.
I'd like to know what you think
What is your experience? What do you think about this list? Are you aware of a congregation that is successfully fighting against the "drop out" that is so prevalent among twenty-somethings? E-mail me at jeff@passingthebaton.org |
