LifeWay Research conducted a survey among people age 18 to 34 that discovered a major factor causing young adults to leave the church is the church’s inability to minister to them in their transition stage.

Among Young Adults

• 73% of churchgoers
  47% of non-churchgoers
  indicated that community with other young people is extremely important in their lives.
• 71% of churchgoers
  said they want to participate in small-group meetings to discuss life application of Scripture.
• 68% of churchgoers
  45% of non-churchgoers
  said that in small group settings they can find “advice from individuals with similar experiences.”
• 66% of churchgoers
  47% of non-churchgoers
  agree that meeting the needs of others is also an essential element to this generation.

Jim Johnston of LifeWay Christian Resources identifies four needs among young adults:

1. Relationship
   “It just so happens that this generation’s biggest need is relationship. The church ought to be the author and purveyor of the best, deepest, most loving friendships around.”
2. Biblical Community
   “The lost and the saved in this age group are looking for just what the church can provide in Biblical community. They want absolute truth but they embrace the struggle of finding it themselves. They don’t want it to be spoon-fed to them.”
3. Social Action
   “Young adults gravitate to churches that are making an impact. This age group is embracing service, social action and missions. They will embrace the church with a cause as well.”
4. Genuine Church
   “They want to embrace church, but only the genuine, earth-shaking, Christ-powered New Testament church. For some churches, that’s going to mean changing methodology “but not the message of the Bible.”

Do young adults find it difficult to make friendships and find community at your church? If so, they will likely go elsewhere to fill the void.

[via Catablog :: The Christian Post]