Understanding Young Adults’ Disengagement from Church
Young adults are disengaging from the American church at an increasing rate. The Pew Research Center says that in the 1990s, around 90% of adults in the United States were Christians. Today, approximately two-thirds of adults are Christians, and 29% of young adults identify as religiously unaffiliated(1).
Churches must first understand the reasons behind this trend as they evaluate future ministry efforts.
Table of Contents
Client Overview
Our client is a large, multi-site church that has expanded rapidly over the past 20 years. With multiple campuses and a growing membership, they’ve become a fixture in their community. Despite this growth, church leaders noticed an alarming trend: young adults were disengaging and leaving at a fast pace.
This demographic shift raised concerns about the future health of their young adult ministry. Church leaders recognized the need for insight to better understand and address the causes behind this trend.
The Solutions
Better Way Consulting conducted interviews and focus groups with 30 young adults aged 18-28. Participants included individuals who were either currently or previously involved in the church.
We recorded, coded, and analyzed each participant's experience. This revealed three major themes. These themes provided insight into the factors influencing young adults’ decisions to disengage from the church.
The Results
Our qualitative analysis of the focus groups and interviews highlighted three primary themes:
Discipleship: Many young adults expressed a desire for multi-generational discipleship. They sought deeper connections with older church members who could offer guidance and mentorship.
Theology: Theological differences, particularly around topics like sexuality, emerged as a significant factor. Some young adults felt their personal beliefs were misaligned with the church’s teachings, leading them to disengage.
Church Culture: Participants cited cultural issues within the church, including experiences of hurt or feeling unwelcome. These experiences negatively impacted their sense of belonging and contributed to their decision to leave.
The Impact
With these insights, our client better understood the challenges facing young adults in their church. The findings allowed them to refocus on long-term discipleship, building a foundation for sustained engagement with this group. They made key adjustments to address young adults' needs and concerns, fostering a more inclusive and welcoming church environment.
Leaders introduced new mentorship opportunities and encouraged discussion around complex topics. These efforts sought to create a space where young adults felt heard and valued. These changes set the stage for a more connected and committed young adult community within the church.
Let Better Way Consulting help your organization understand the demographics of the people who engage with you or your services. Together, we’ll forge a better plan for the future.
