The concern over losing young folks is valid, even if the percent lost wasn't accurate. Plus, it will vary from group. One church may have more who stay than another, but not perhaps every year. But when we focus primarily on a number, we often get off track of the mission.
I was one who fell away during college, but returned like the prodigal 6-7 years later. However, a buddy went to Bible college and became a youth minister (still to this day!).
He would express concern over those leaving, but suggests less than half did most years. And he would concur with you that it's not about numeric retention, but about the maturity of those who stay.
So in the judgment of youth ministers, 90% (or the vast majority of students) left the church after graduation. Then, when actually studied, it appears that 70% drop out.
I appreciate the honest figures. But it seems like you're focusing on debunking the statistic. I think the relatively accurate judgment of youth ministers is the more important point.
I was a drop out of the church and it was due to what happened on Sunday didn't transfer into my home life the remainder of the week. I experienced trauma and abuse and blamed it on the Catholic church. At the age of 18, I was a nanny and my employers took me to the Southern Baptist Church which was loving and I heard the gospel, but again that family's walk didn't match their talk and I pondered, "What's the point?" At the age of 28 I found a Higher Power in Alcoholics Anonymous which led me to read the Bible where I met JESUS, my Savior, and I've been sober since 1996 and my talk matches my walk. I don't need a survey to tell me why young adults leave the church. I lived it. Most church members practice religion at church and home and NOT the freedom found in Christ that leads to an abundant life of grace and mercy and the unconditional love of God. Freedom in Christ leads to transparency where you are real. The same person at church as you are at home, work, school, play, etc. I experienced that church at Redemption Gateway (now Ironwood Church) in Mesa, AZ. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Dr. Derik Idol, the Director of the Youth Ministry program at Liberty University, addressed this very issue in his dissertation. His study also found that the situation was not as bad as previously thought.
Great questions! Thank you for reading and responding!
I actually wrote an entire book entitled Family Ministry Field Guide on the “how to” of effectively engaging parents in ways that build lasting faith, based on a survey with hundreds of parents in a wide range of churches.
A few details of this book probably need updating but, for the most part, it’s still what I would say today: https://amzn.to/3VjoKqp
Thanks for writing this. I have believed the 90% dropout statistic for years. 70% is much lower than 90%, but is still too high! What approach do you recommend for children's and youth ministries? If the goal is to produce adults who are faithfully following Jesus, how do we go about that? What have you seen that effectively engages parents? And how do we include kids in the broader church if our children's programming always happens at the same time as corporate worship? I think it's not good if kids hit high school but have never sat in a normal worship service because they've been in children's programming their entire lives. But I also see the value of age-appropriate programming. How do you bridge the gap?
The concern over losing young folks is valid, even if the percent lost wasn't accurate. Plus, it will vary from group. One church may have more who stay than another, but not perhaps every year. But when we focus primarily on a number, we often get off track of the mission.
I was one who fell away during college, but returned like the prodigal 6-7 years later. However, a buddy went to Bible college and became a youth minister (still to this day!).
He would express concern over those leaving, but suggests less than half did most years. And he would concur with you that it's not about numeric retention, but about the maturity of those who stay.
So in the judgment of youth ministers, 90% (or the vast majority of students) left the church after graduation. Then, when actually studied, it appears that 70% drop out.
I appreciate the honest figures. But it seems like you're focusing on debunking the statistic. I think the relatively accurate judgment of youth ministers is the more important point.
I was a drop out of the church and it was due to what happened on Sunday didn't transfer into my home life the remainder of the week. I experienced trauma and abuse and blamed it on the Catholic church. At the age of 18, I was a nanny and my employers took me to the Southern Baptist Church which was loving and I heard the gospel, but again that family's walk didn't match their talk and I pondered, "What's the point?" At the age of 28 I found a Higher Power in Alcoholics Anonymous which led me to read the Bible where I met JESUS, my Savior, and I've been sober since 1996 and my talk matches my walk. I don't need a survey to tell me why young adults leave the church. I lived it. Most church members practice religion at church and home and NOT the freedom found in Christ that leads to an abundant life of grace and mercy and the unconditional love of God. Freedom in Christ leads to transparency where you are real. The same person at church as you are at home, work, school, play, etc. I experienced that church at Redemption Gateway (now Ironwood Church) in Mesa, AZ. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Dr. Derik Idol, the Director of the Youth Ministry program at Liberty University, addressed this very issue in his dissertation. His study also found that the situation was not as bad as previously thought.
Here’s the dissertation:
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/3428/
Great questions! Thank you for reading and responding!
I actually wrote an entire book entitled Family Ministry Field Guide on the “how to” of effectively engaging parents in ways that build lasting faith, based on a survey with hundreds of parents in a wide range of churches.
A few details of this book probably need updating but, for the most part, it’s still what I would say today: https://amzn.to/3VjoKqp
Thanks for writing this. I have believed the 90% dropout statistic for years. 70% is much lower than 90%, but is still too high! What approach do you recommend for children's and youth ministries? If the goal is to produce adults who are faithfully following Jesus, how do we go about that? What have you seen that effectively engages parents? And how do we include kids in the broader church if our children's programming always happens at the same time as corporate worship? I think it's not good if kids hit high school but have never sat in a normal worship service because they've been in children's programming their entire lives. But I also see the value of age-appropriate programming. How do you bridge the gap?