Growing Young: Why Bother?


Most American congregations have big bare spots.  These are gaps in certain age groups.  The biggest gap is among emerging adults.  Emerging adults are people aged 16-30.

Over the years, I've seen this gap grow, and have become concerned about it.  Last year, I discovered the book Growing Young by Kara Powell and others.  This book presents the results of studies of churches that have successfully grown young by reaching this segment of the population.  This book presents the following insights.

Our religious landscape is changing rapidly.  The Pew Foundation has found that the portion of our population that identifies itself as "Christian" declined from 78% to 71% between 2007 and 2014.  During the same time frame, the number of people who claimed to be atheist, agnostic, or nothing at all grew from 16% to 23%.  

Other studies show when these gaps in our congregations begin to appear.  40-50% of people drop out of church after high school graduation.  

Some would say, "This has always happened!"  That's true.  But more are dropping out, and fewer are coming back.

Why should we be concerned about this?  First, because emerging adults need to hear the good news of Christ.  Scripture passages like Romans 10:12-15 call us to be proclaimers of good news to all.  This segment of our population needs to hear it!

Second, because we need emerging adults.  They bring our churches more service, passion, innovation, and health!

How do we reach emerging adults?  That's going to be the focus of our messages over the next five weeks.  But the beginning is to be committed to growing young, and to have the faith, vision, prayer, and persistence to keep working on it!

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