15
2008
Some Disturbing Statistics
So, I began reading a great book recently called Essential Church?: Reclaiming A Generation of Dropouts by Thom and Sam Rainer, and the above pie chart (and supporting data) really threw me for a curve. Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t find it surprising that 70% of churchgoing 18-22 year olds end up leaving church alltogether for various reasons (which the book explored in great detail), but moreso, I found it disturbing to find my suspicions confirmed by a fairly decently conducted study by respected members of the church leadership community.
Now, as most of you who might find yourself reading this may already know, I currently find myself serving on staff at a non-denominational church in Central Florida as the Associate Pastor of Youth and Worship. I have known from a rather early age (about 15 or 16) that God was calling me to serve through ministry, and because of that calling, it was when I was between the ages of 18 and 22 that I was pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Church Ministry. Hopefully, it would be needless to say that during those 3-4 years, I found myself in the 30% that stayed in church. The authors spend the rest of the book contending that the reason the attrition rate is so high is that to the 70% of 18-22 year olds that drop out, church has become “non-essential” to their lives. In other words, if they leave, it leaves little if any void. Upon first reading such statements, I was immediately saddened, but then a very profound question hit me:
If I had not spent those years of my life in ministry and pursuing an undergraduate degree in Church MInistry, would I still have been in the 30%?
Quite honestly, statistics alone, the cards would be stacked against me 7 to 3. I’d like to say that I would have “stayed the course” and maintained fellowship with a community of believers, but the list of “Top Ten Reasons Church Dropouts Stopped Attending Church” that the Rainers concluded from a study of over 1,000 church dropouts seemed fairly compelling, especially the number one reason, which happened to be “Simply wanted a break from church.”
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am in no way considering abandoning my faith or leaving the church, but I do remember what it was like being on my own for the first time, and I remember what it was like to be a part of a church where I just didn’t connect as an 18 year old adult. The authors of Essential Church? seem to think that there is certainly a way to make church more essential to the lives of our young adults, and it is my sincere prayer that they are right, as I believe that there is so much more that our churches can be doing to reach this group of which Rachel and I find ourselves a part.
I look forward to continuing my thoughts on this as I make my way through the rest of the book. I’ll be sure to keep you all updated.
September 15, 2008 3:37 pm
It’s interesting to note the statistics that you shared. I appreciate you sharing the posting with us. When I think about them, I have to say it is a staggering number and it should really alarm all of us who are ministering.
Unfortunately, I read the other day that the statistics are continuing to rise higher than what the book shares. Especially, with those that have been raised within the traditional church. Many of the younger generation feel the church is not relevant and not an essential for their own lives. I’m afraid that the traditional church has lost sight and focus of how to make the gospel applicable and important to people of ALL ages.
I know, for myself, when I left high school and ventured out on my own, that I could have quickly become one of those statistics. I found church boring, difficult to sit through, clearly not meeting me where I was as a student, and seeking something more. When I headed off to college, to study ministry, I continued to wrestle with the concept of church, its importance, and how to relate it to others.
Luckily, I stayed with it and realized that I can be an agent for change in reaching out to others. It is not an easy task. I look forward to hearing your additional thoughts on this subject.
September 15, 2008 4:03 pm
@Scott - Thanks for the input. You know, as I think back to when I was in high school, I think about all the kids that I knew from our youth program, and I wonder how many of them are still in church. I guess, if the statistics hold true, not many. As I look back, the motivation to be an agent for change is probably one of the things that caused me to “hang in there” the most. Anyway, thanks for the feedback, and I’m glad that we’ve had a chance to reconnect.
- Josh
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