3. Connecting Earlier to the Local Church
In youth ministry, we usually keep teenagers very busy. In fact, most youth ministries are programmatic in nature, almost to a fault. As a result, they often pull teens out of “big church” and into the youth program. Then when students graduate, they don’t know how to handle adult church. That’s because we haven’t exposed them to it!
According to Lifeway, 20 percent of young adults leave because they don’t feel connected to churchgoers. Brad Waggoner, VP of research and ministry development, says: “Relationships are often the glue that keeps people in church or serves as the attraction to begin attending again following a period of absenteeism. Many people are deeply influenced by friends and loved ones. Church leaders should passionately and consistently challenge church members to maximize their influence with youth and young adults. Frequent and intentional contact can either prevent or counteract the tendency of some to drop out of church.”[4]
It’s crucial to have teenagers in adult services regularly. Teenagers should be involved in serving in the local church. We should let teens usher, sing in the choir, play in the worship band, volunteer, etc. In other words, students should be involved. Lifeway’s study proves that students who are connected are much more likely to stay when they graduate from high school.
4. Have a Singles Ministry
For young adults, many churches have nothing more than a Sunday school class. Some churches don’t even have a class for that age. They just send college students into classes with adults. Yes, that might be healthy to a certain extent. But something must bring that group together. Sam Rainer lists aspects of a good singles ministry that keeps young adults in church:
- First, the singles ministry must have biblical depth. The entire church needs this to retain young adults.
- Second, set high expectations. Ninety-six percent of millennials say they believe they can do something great. Seventy-seven percent say they’re motivated to make a difference by serving others. [5] This is great news because it’s clear that most young people want to make a meaningful contribution to society. Therefore, to keep young adults in church, the singles ministry must set high expectations to do something great.
- Third, keep young adults in church with multiplication (evangelism). Rainer says, “Every church we have studied that is effectively reaching and retaining young adults is highly intentional about evangelism.”[6]
- Finally, Rainer suggests keeping young people through simplicity, namely discipleship. He challenges churches to possess a strategic discipleship structure.
Although these suggestions may seem simple, they can go a long way. The church must address the epidemic of graduates who flee. Unless congregations adapt, millennials won’t attend or stay. When young adults feel the church is interested in making a difference, they will come.
[1] Sam Rainer, “Four Keys to Keeping Young Adults in Church.” Lifeway.com. http://www.lifeway.com/Article/four-keys-to-keeping-young-adults (Accessed June 12, 2015).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 2069.
[4] Lifeway.com
[5] Thom Rainer and Jess Rainer, The Millennials: Connecting to America’s Largest Generation (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2011), 116.
[6] Lifeway.com.
