Arizona Southern Baptist Convention

Is it possible to reach the younger generation for the gospel and church membership? There are challenges, but Ed Stetzer now is confident that those who are "20-something" are actually more open to the gospel than median and older adults.

Stetzer, missiologist in residence for LifeWay Christian Resources, presented his findings from newly-gleaned survey data to pastors at the Arizona Church Equipping (ACE) Conference on August 22. The survey of 1,000 "20-somethings" who were unchurched and 500 "older" unchurched asked questions in four areas: views of God, beliefs about the Christian church, spirituality, and openness to outreach. Based on the survey results, Stetzer concluded with nine ways for any church to improve and grow its ministry to "20-somethings."

His findings and conclusion are articulated in greater detail in his justreleased book, Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them. The book is co-authored with Richie Stanley and Jason Hayes.

Defending the Church
Before sharing survey results, Stetzer began his two-hour presentation by debunking common myths and "false facts." Among the falsehoods he mentioned were:

     –88% of evangelical children are leaving the church shortly after they graduate from high school.
     –Christianity in America won't survive another decade unless we do something now.
     –Every year more than 4,000 churches close their doors compared to 1,000 new church starts.

While acknowledging the imperfections of the church, Stetzer took umbrage at those who continually criticize it. "Too many Christians are beating on the church like a low-hanging piÑata on Cinco de Mayo," he said. "We are to glorify God and celebrate His bride."

Christian leaders keep overdramatizing a crisis," he said, "because "crises sell books and get people to conferences. But, they don't do anything to fix the problem."

Views of God
Stetzer's survey revealed startling results when people were asked about their views of God. Those who somewhat or strongly agree that ...

     "They believe in God."
          Ages 20-29 = 81%
          Ages 30+ = 73%

     "There exists only one God, the God described in the Bible."
          Ages 20-29 = 57%
          Ages 30+ = 48%

     "The God of the Bible is not different from the gods or spiritual beings depicted by world religions such as Islam,
     Hinduism, Buddhism, etc."
          Ages 20-29 = 58%
          Ages 30+ = 67%

     "Jesus died and came back to life."
          Ages 20-29 = 66%
          Ages 30+ = 54%

"The challenge today isn't convincing people Jesus rose from the dead, but that it changes everything," said Stetzer. While noting the illogical overlap of mutually-exclusive views on the second and third questions, Stetzer said we can still easily conclude that the "20-somethings" are very open to God. "Atheism is not growing," he said. "Those with 'no denominational preference or affiliation' are growing.'"

Beliefs about the Christian Church
The same survey also asked respondents about their "beliefs about the Christian church." The results are equally startling, because the "20-somethings" have a more positive view of the church than those who are older. Those who somewhat or strongly agree that ...

     "The church is full of hypocrites."
          Ages 20-29 = 67%
          Ages 30+ = 75%

     "I think Christianity today is more about organized religion than about loving God and loving people."
          Ages 20-29 = 77%
          Ages 30+ = 83%

     "Christians get on my nerves."
          Ages 20-29 = 46%
          Ages 30+ = 44%

     "I do not think my lifestyle would be accepted at most Christian churches."
          Ages 20-29 = 39%
          Ages 30+ = 30%

     "I can have a good relationship with God without going to church."
          Ages 20-29 = 90%
          Ages 30+ = 88%

Stetzer shared three conclusions with the pastors as he reviewed beliefs about the Christian church. First, he said, "Churches that are known for what they are for, rather than what they are against, will reach more '20-somethings.'" Second, he said, "There's always going to be the stumbling block of the cross, but too many are stumbling on the church before they get to the cross," and we have to do something about that. Last, regarding the fourth question (lifestyle acceptance by the church),"they may be right, but we have to help them work through that."

Spirituality
The survey asked the respondents about "spirituality – as the world would define it." To great laughter from the pastors, Stetzer referred to this as the "Oprahization of America." Those who somewhat or strongly agree that ...

     "I consider myself spiritual because I am interested in knowing more about God."
          Ages 20-29 = 73%
          Ages 30+ = 62%

     "People who attend a Christian church are generally more spiritual than those who do not attend."
          Ages 20-29 = 39%
          Ages 30+ = 27%

     "When a person dies there is an afterlife."
          Ages 20-29 = 82%
          Ages 30+ = 69%

     "There exists a place called heaven."
          Ages 20-29 = 77%
          Ages 30+ = 58%

     "There exists a place called hell."
          Ages 20-29 = 60%
          Ages 30+ = 44%

Reviewing the questions and results on "spirituality," Stetzer shared three conclusions. First, "they don't think the church is getting it right, so they are looking elsewhere." Second, "young folks believe in God, are open to spirituality, and even Jesus." Third, "younger folks are more pluralistic. When one's Muslim neighbor is nicer than their Christian neighbor who is a jerk, people are more open-minded that there may be truth in their beliefs."

Openness to Outreach
In the fourth and final portion of the survey, the respondents were able to contemplate an evangelistic contact or a ministry contact by a pastor or member of a church. Those who somewhat or strongly agree that ...

     "If someone wanted to tell me what he/she believed about Christianity, I would listen."
          Ages 20-29 = 89%
          Ages 30+ = 75%

     "I would be willing to study the Bible if a friend asked me to."
          Ages 20-29 = 61%
          Ages 30-39 = 42%

     "If a church presented truth to me in an understandable way that relates to my life now, I would attend."
          Ages 20-29 = 63%
          Ages 30+ = 47%

     "If people at church cared about me as a person, I would be more likely to attend."
          Ages 20-29 = 58%
          Ages 30+ = 38%

     "I would be willing to join a small group of people to learn more about the Bible and Jesus."
          Ages 20-29 = 46%
          Ages 30+ = 27%

From the responses to these five questions, and in the context of the three previous areas of questioning, Stetzer shared three conclusions. First, "we have to have relational connections so we can have the opportunity to tell about Jesus." Second, "there is an openness and opportunity that we must seize." Third, "to reach younger people, we have to be less 'barn-centric.' For 30 years we've taught people that evangelism is bringing people to church. We've fixed up the barn (the church), but the wheat still is not harvesting itself." Stetzer said that it's not de-emphasizing the church, but recognizing that the world sees the church as part of the problem. "So, our people are a better way of reaching people!"

9 Suggestions to Improve Ministry to Young Adults
Stetzer concluded the conference by quickly sharing nine suggestions to improve ministry to young adults – the "20-somethings."

     1. Create a deeper biblical community. Move beyond superficial relationships.
     2. Let people make a difference through service.
     3. Lead adults to experience worship (instead of watching worship).
     4. Deliver content (instead of a 30-minute "sitcom" approach).
     5. Connect to young adults through technology.
     6. Be cross-generational.
     7. Be authentic.
     8. Lead with transparency (the process is as important as the result).
     9. Lead using teams.