Back to Church at Rockford #4

Are Teens Losing the Faith?

Six out of 10 teens involved in a church will probably not continue their spiritual commitment into early adulthood, according to a September 2006 study by the Barna Group reported by Associated Baptist Press.

The study, conducted from 2001 to 2006, shows that despite previously high levels of spiritual activity, many people in their 20s lose interest in religious activities and often carry that apathy into middle age.  But the survey also found that 20 percent of people in their 20s maintain the same spiritual activities -- like attending church, studying the Bible, donating money and using Christian media -- they did in high school.

Nineteen percent of teens who did not participate in those activities remained disconnected from the Christian faith in adulthood.

David Kinnaman, the research director, said some experts question whether the disengagement is just a phase typical of that age or whether it is unique to the current generation.  Both explanations have some merit, he said, but ultimately that debate misses the point.  "[The point] is that the current state of ministry to 20-somethings is woefully inadequate to address the spiritual needs of millions of young adults," he said.

On the other hand, ministry to teens is thriving.  According to the report, half of the nation's 24 million teens attend some sort of church-related activity each week.  More than 75 percent discuss faith with friends, and three out of five attend at least one youth group meeting at a church during a three-month period.  All told, more than 80 percent of teens attend church for at least two months during high school.

Kinnaman said teens are generally so receptive to matters of faith because of a certain willingness to explore their character, try new things and establish an identity.

"There are certainly effective youth ministries across the country, but the levels of disengagement among 20-somethings suggests that youth ministry fails too often at discipleship and faith formation," he said.

From Preaching Now (www.preaching.com); 9/25/06