Into the VOID: American Young Adults

Today I was praying for some of our young adults down in FL. Then it hit me; I never really put into words how important I believe that Young Adult Outreach/Ministry truly is.

The statistics are in, and they are very scary. 6 out of 10 people starting from the age of 15 will leave the Church permanently or for an extended period.

Just sit and think about that for a second. 60%.

More than half of the kids in your youth group. Yes. Even the really active ones.

Truth?

I am one of them.

Although Shanon and I are both active in the Church today, I for one, am part of the 60%, because I left the church from about 17-until 22.

Let me explain the "void" a bit further.

The American Church by design has been set up to engage all people, regardless of age. Mostly.

Starting with the Nursery, babies are cared for, sung to, and nurtured into the care of the Church. Next, Children's Church teaches songs, does arts and crafts, and teaches short Bible stories. Next you have Jr/Sr high ministry, which can mean so many different things. Youth are usually engaged in a more edgy and raw way, encouraged to dig deeper into spirituality, and for 60% of us, plant the seeds that carry us through the rest of our lives.

Then, there is this void.

"I am now too old to be a part of the youth ministry, but yet I am still too young to hang with couples, or small families, or older folks. I'm not ready to be that "old" yet. Where do I go?"

This void lasts, sometimes until marriage, kids, mortgage, or at least until I have something to talk to the young Father's about.

And why do people walk away?

Here are some answers I have obtained since working with youth/young adults.

DOUBT - Young people have doubts. They are asked hard questions. They are engaged with new Collegiate studies that push their boundaries and understanding.

RELEVANCY - Being Bombarded through social media, electronics, friends, hobbies, college, jobs, makes it hard for a young adult to come to a place and hear a sermon. Most of the time sermon's that they don't find themselves identifying with. Besides, "I have taken two college science courses by now, and I am starting to view things a bit differently. But there is no one I trust to talk to."

EXCLUSIVITY - Some young people feel like they have to choose between their friends and their faith. "There doesn't seem to be any tolerance whatsoever for the things I see and deal with every day."

This is just scratching the surface.

Where does your church stand in this void? How does your church engage youth once they "age out" of the youth group?

How can you help?

ALL of these, are excellent questions.

The 60% is depending on you.