Faces of Young Adults ages
18-22: The Effect of Church
Dropouts
Spring 2007
Report Contents
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Methodology & Terminology
Introduction
Key Findings
Young Adult Church Attendance
Church Involvement
Views of their Church
Impressions of Church Members
Current Status of Young Adults
3
5
6
7
12
22
28
32
2
Methodology
• Survey of Young Adults ages 18-30 in April-May 2007
• Sample size of 1,023 provides 95% confidence that sampling error
does not exceed +3.1%
• Eligible respondents attended a Protestant church regularly (twice a
month or more) for at least a year in high school
• The web survey utilized a representative national panel of Americans
– Panels have been utilized by research firms such as the Gallup
Organization and National Family Opinion (NFO) for over 60 years
– Online panels have been heavily utilized by Gallup, NFO, Harris
Interactive and others for over 10 years
– Panels facilitate accurate sampling and high response rates and ensure
that emerging generations without telephone landlines are included
3
Terminology
• Dropouts – Church “Dropouts” are defined as those who “stopped
attending church regularly for at least a year between the ages of 18
and 22.” Note: Since 35% of dropouts ages 23-30 have returned to
attending church twice a month, some do indicate church activity
between ages 18-22.
• Statistically Significant – If this population were randomly
surveyed over and over, the noted difference in responses would be
repeated almost every time (in technical terms: the difference cannot
be attributed to random variation alone). Note: the fact that statistical
significance is detected does not always mean that practical
significance is present.
4
Introduction
Three distinct groups of 18-22 year olds exist based on their church
attendance history:
1. Those who have never attended church regularly
(“unchurched” – not addressed in this study)
2. Those who have consistently attended church regularly (“stayed”)
3. Those who attended regularly for at least a year in high school, but
stopped attending for at least a year between ages 18-22
(“dropouts”)
Although large differences between these groups are expected, the
detailed description of those who stayed and dropouts have equally
large strategic implications for churches seeking to reach them
5
Key Findings
Among 18-22 year olds, those who stayed in church are
very different compared to those who dropped out:
• Current church involvement (majority involved vs. few have returned)
• Views of their church (large majority positive vs. one third positive)
• Impressions of church members (caring and welcoming vs.
judgmental and hypocritical)
• Influence from others (large majority have positive influencers vs.
half have positive influencers)
These divergent characteristics may include both:
• Contributors to the decision to drop out, and
• Results of the decision to drop out
6
Young Adult Church Attendance
Note: Since 35% of dropouts ages 23-30 have returned to attending
church twice a month, some do indicate church attendance
between ages 18-22 despite dropping out for at least a year
7
Only one out of seven dropouts
indicate twice-a-month attendance at a
given age between 19 and 22
Twice a month church attendance by age
Age 18*
Age 19*
Age 20*
Age 21*
Age 22*
72%
29%
14%
63%
65%
12%
64%
13%
13%
62%
Age 20 marks the
largest difference
between dropouts
and those who stay
Stayed
Dropouts
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
*Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant
Q1a. At which of the following ages did you regularly attend church (by
“regularly attend,” we mean attend at least twice a month for three or more
months)? Base: Current Age >= Age asked about (n ranges from =1,023 at
age 18 to 785 at age 22)
8
By age 23, the percent of dropouts attending
again twice a month is growing, but it is
declining among those who stayed
Twice a month church attendance by age
Age 23*
64%
18%
Age 24*
61%
19%
Age 25*
59%
22%
Age 26*
57%
25%
0%
10% 20%
30%
Stayed
Dropouts
40%
50% 60%
70%
*Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant
Q1a. At which of the following ages did you regularly attend church (by
“regularly attend,” we mean attend at least twice a month for three or more
months)? Base: Current Age >= Age asked about (n ranges from =732 at age
23 to 465 at age 26)
9
More than one quarter of current
attendees (29%) began attending their
current church in preschool
Age began attending current church
29%
29%
Age 5 or less
Age 6-12
Age 13-17*
10%
Age 18-22
Age 23 or more*
0%
10%
17%
19%
17%
21%
17%
16%
20%
Stayed
Dropouts
More of those who stayed in
church started to attend this
church after grade school
26%
30%
More dropouts who attend
today found their current
church after Age 22
40%
*Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant
Q1c. At what age did you begin attending your current church?
Base: S5=Currently attending (n=783)
10
Frequent church switchers are not
common among young adults
Number of different churches attended regularly since turning 13
25%
Only 1*
32%
52%
51%
2-3
4 - 5*
4%
4%
2%
2%
6-7
8 or more
0%
17%
12%
10%
20%
Stayed
Dropouts
30%
40%
50%
60%
*Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant
Q1b. How many different churches have you regularly attended since
becoming a teenager (since turning 13)?
Base: All (n=1,023)
11
Church Involvement Between
Ages 18-22
Note: Since 35% of dropouts ages 23-30 have returned to attending
church twice a month, some do indicate church involvement
between ages 18-22 despite dropping out for at least a year
12
Attendance and participation
between ages 18-22
The effect of two thirds of young adults dropping out of church for at least
a year between ages 18-22 is seen in how they characterize their
participation over this 5 year span
Among ALL young adults:
• I attended worship services regularly (half the number prior to 18)
• I attended a small group, Sunday school, or discipleship class
• I participated in service projects through church
• I consistently gave financially to the church
• I participated in mission trips
42%
27%
31%
36%
19%
Among Dropouts, ages 18-22 compared to prior to age 18,
Fewer indicate participation:
• In worship services (20% vs. 84%) and small groups (14% vs. 63%)
• In service projects through church (17% vs. 47%)
• In consistently giving financially to the church (22% vs. 38%)
• In mission trips (11% vs. 25%)
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your
life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22.
Base: All (n=1,023)
13
Friends and responsibility at church
between ages 18-22
The majority of ALL young adults indicate they lack positive peer pressure
to attend church between ages 18-22
Among ALL young adults:
• My group of friends respected peers who attended church
48%
Among ALL young adults:
• I had regular responsibilities at church
• I held a leadership position in my activities at church
27%
20%
Among Dropouts, ages 18-22 compared to prior to age 18:
Fewer indicate:
• Friends respected peers who attended church (37% vs. 53%)
• I had regular responsibilities at church (13% vs. 31%)
• I held a leadership position in their activities at church (11% vs. 21%)
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your
life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22.
Base: All (n=1,023)
14
Personal desires and disciplines related
to church between ages 18-22
Among ALL young adults:
• I had a strong personal belief system in place
• I spent regular time in prayer privately
• I wanted the church to help guide my decisions in everyday life
• I spent regular time reading the Bible privately
65%
57%
47%
41%
Among Dropouts, ages 18-22 compared to prior to age 18:
Fewer indicate they:
• Had a strong belief system in place (56% vs. 67%)
• Wanted the church to help guide their decisions in everyday life
(30% vs. 46%)
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your
life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22.
Base: All (n=1,023)
15
Family and Adult Influences
between ages 18-22
Among ALL young adults:
• Parents or family members attended church regularly
• My parents or family members genuinely liked church
• My parents or family members provided spiritual guidance
• An adult spend time with me regularly to help me grow spiritually
60%
64%
56%
27%
Among Dropouts, ages 18-22 compared to prior to age 18:
Fewer indicate:
• Parents or family attended church regularly (49% vs. 72%)
• Parents or family genuinely liked church (54% vs. 67%)
• Parents or family provided spiritual guidance (45% vs. 59%)
• An adult spent time with them regularly to help them grow spiritually
(17% vs. 35%)
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your
life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22.
Base: All (n=1,023)
16
A wide church activity gap exists
between dropouts and those who stay
in church between ages 18-22
Since few have returned to church activities, the activity gap confirms that
dropouts must be sought outside the church
Those who stayed in church compared to those who dropped out:
• ATTENDANCE: 63% more of those who stay characterize this period
as at time that they regularly attended worship services (83% vs. 20%)
• DESIRE: 48% more of those who stay indicate they wanted the church
to help guide their decisions in everyday life (78% vs. 30%)
• FINANCES: 42% more of those who stay indicate they gave financially
to the church (64% vs. 22%)
• PARTICIPATION: 39% more of those who stay indicate they
participated in services projects through church (56% vs. 17%)
• RESPONSIBILITY: 38% more of those who stay indicate they have
regular responsibilities at church (51% vs. 13%)
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your
life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22.
Base: All (n=1,023)
17
Because few dropouts return by age 22,
dropouts indicate little participation
compared to those who stayed
Church attendance and participation between
ages 18-22*
Worship services
20%
64%
Consistently gave financially
Service projects
Attended a small group/ Sunday
School, or discipleship class
Mission trips
83%
22%
56%
17%
51%
14%
11%
34%
Stayed
Dropouts
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
*All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your
life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22.
18
Base: All (n=1,023)
Compared to those who stay in church,
half as many dropouts indicate they
receive positive peer pressure to attend
Friends and responsibilities at church
between ages 18-22*
My friends repspected peers who
attended church
70%
37%
Had regular responsibilities at
church
51%
13%
Held leadership position in my
activities at church
37%
11%
0%
Stayed
Dropouts
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
*All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your
life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22.
19
Base: All (n=1,023)
Dropouts indicate they practice spiritual
disciplines much less than those who
stay in church
Personal desires and activities related to
church between ages 18-22*
Had strong personal belief system
in place
83%
56%
Spent regular time in prayer
privately
80%
44%
Wanted the Bible to help guide my
decisions in everyday life
78%
30%
Spent regular time reading the
Bible privately
29%
0%
20%
40%
63%
60%
Stayed
Dropouts
80%
*All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your
life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22.
20
Base: All (n=1,023)
Half of dropouts say they received
spiritual guidance and a real example
from their family between ages 18-22
Activity of family members and adults between ages 18-22*
Parents/family genuinely liked
church
83%
54%
Parents/family attended church
regularly
82%
49%
Parents/family provided spiritual
guidance
76%
45%
An adult spent time with me
regularly to help me grow spiritually
46%
17%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Stayed
Dropouts
80%
*All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your
life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22.
Base: All (n=1,023)
21
Views of their Church Between
Ages 18-22
22
Less than half of ALL young adults view
their church positively between ages 18-22
Clearly ministry to young adults ages 18-22 is a post-modern
environment – only half agree with the church’s beliefs
Perspective viewed by ALL young adults
• I agreed with beliefs taught in my church
• My church was important in my life
• I agreed with my church’s political perspective
Agree*
53%
45%
42%
Compared to prior to
age 18, 26% fewer
dropouts agreed with
their church’s beliefs
(40% vs. 66%)
Beliefs relate to satisfaction in worship – among those who agree with
the beliefs taught in their church, 76% find the worship style appealing
Worship viewed by ALL young adults
• The pastor’s sermons were engaging
• The pastor’s sermons were relevant to my life
• The worship style was appealing to me
Agree*
48%
48%
47%
* Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree
Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements
about the church you attended as they pertain to your perceptions prior to turning
18 and whether they apply to your perceptions through ages 18-22.
Base: All (n=1,023)
23
Less than half of ALL young adults view
their church positively between ages 18-22
Atmosphere viewed by ALL young adults
Agree*
• My church was a welcoming environment for people in my life stage 47%
• Other people like me attended the church
44%
• I felt “at home” at church
41%
• My church offered appealing activities or small group studies
for people in my life stage
40%
• My church was a source of support during personal crises
39%
Among Dropouts, ages 18-22 compared to prior to age 18:
Fewer dropouts indicate their church:
• Was a welcoming environment for their life stage (34% vs. 54%)
• Had other people like me attending (31% vs. 54%)
• Felt “at home” (27% vs. 50%)
• Offered appealing activities for their life stage (29% vs. 54%)
• Was a source of support during personal crises (26% vs. 41%)
* Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree
Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements
about the church you attended as they pertain to your perceptions prior to turning
18 and whether they apply to your perceptions through ages 18-22.
Base: All (n=1,023)
24
A wide church perspective gap exists
between dropouts and those who stay
in church between ages 18-22
This perception gap reveals the difficulty in attracting church dropouts
back to church
Those who stayed in church compared to those who dropped out:
• IMPORTANCE: 50% more of those who stay agree* that the church
was important in their life during these years (78% vs. 28%)
• WELCOMING: 42% more of those who stay agree* that they felt “at
home” at church (69% vs. 27%)
• WORSHIP: 41% more of those who stay agree* the worship style was
appealing to them (74% vs. 33%)
• RELEVANCE: 39% more of those who stay agree* the pastor’s
sermons were relevant to their life (73% vs. 34%)
* Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree
Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements
about the church you attended as they pertain to your perceptions prior to turning
18 and whether they apply to your perceptions through ages 18-22.
Base: All (n=1,023)
25
Divergent views of their church’s beliefs
and worship between ages 18-22
I agreed with beliefs taught in my
church
My church was important in my life
The worship style was appealing to
me
The pastor's sermons were
engaging
I agreed with my church's political
perspective
The pastor's sermons were
relevant to my life
76%
40%
78%
28%
74%
33%
72%
35%
64%
30%
Stayed
Dropouts
73%
34%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
*Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree.
All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant
Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements
about the church you attended as they pertain to your perceptions prior to turning
18 and whether they apply to your perceptions through ages 18-22.
Base: All (n=1,023)
26
Divergent views of the atmosphere at
their church between ages 18-22
My church was a welcoming
environment for my life stage
Other people like me attended the
church
My church offered appealing
activities or small group studies
for people in my life stage
I felt "at home" at church
My church was a source of
support during personal crises
72%
34%
67%
31%
61%
29%
69%
27%
63%
Stayed
Dropouts
26%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
*Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree.
All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant
Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements
about the church you attended as they pertain to your perceptions prior to turning
18 and whether they apply to your perceptions through ages 18-22.
Base: All (n=1,023)
27
Impressions of Church
Members Between
Ages 18-22
28
Among ALL young adults, only half have
positive impressions of church members
in general between ages 18-22
Impressions of church members in general between ages 18-22
51% Caring
48% Welcoming (made me feel like part of the church)
48% Politically conservative
34% Insincere
43% Authentic/Real
33% Inspirational (like role models)
42% Judgmental
18% Legalistic
37% Cliquish
15% Lenient
36% Hypocritical
15% Politically liberal
35% Disapproving of those who didn’t
meet their expectations regarding
jobs, school, marriage, etc.
Q8. Please indicate which of the following statements describe your impression of
church members in general prior to turning 18 and which statements describe
your impression through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,004)
29
Dropouts and those who stayed tend to
have opposite impressions of church
members between ages 18-22
74%
Caring*
39%
71%
Welcoming*
36%
49%
47%
Politically conservative
67%
Authentic/Real*
30%
24%
Judgmental*
51%
27%
Cliquish*
Stayed
Dropouts
43%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
*Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant
Q8. Please indicate which of the following statements describe your impression of
church members in general prior to turning 18 and which statements describe
your impression through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,004)
30
Dropouts and those who stayed tend to
have opposite impressions of church
members between ages 18-22
20%
Hypocritical*
Disapproving of those who didn't meet
expectations*
20%
44%
43%
19%
Insincere*
41%
Inspirational*
20%
18%
17%
19%
12%
17%
13%
Legalistic
Lenient*
Politically liberal
0%
56%
Stayed
Dropouts
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
*Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant
Q8. Please indicate which of the following statements describe your impression of
church members in general prior to turning 18 and which statements describe
your impression through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,004)
31
Current Status of Young Adults
Ages 18-30
32
Two thirds of ALL young adults who
attended a Protestant church for at least a
year in high school currently consider
themselves Christian
Current beliefs about God
I consider myself a devout Christian with a strong
faith in God
43%
I consider myself a Christian, but not particularly
devout
26%
13%
I believe in God, but am uncertain of Christianity
10%
I consider myself spiritual, but not religious
4%
I am uncertain about my belief in God
3%
I don't believe in God or any higher being
0%
10%
20%
Q11. Which of the following statements best describes your current beliefs
about God? Base: All (n=1,023)
30%
40%
50%
33
Those who stayed in church through
ages 18-22 are much more likely to
have a strong faith in God today
Current beliefs about God*
I consider myself a devout Christian with a strong
faith in God
30%
I consider myself a Christian, but not particularly
devout
18%
8%
I believe in God, but am uncertain of Christianity
5%
I consider myself spiritual, but not religious
I am uncertain about my belief in God
I don't believe in God or any higher being
15%
14%
67%
31%
Stayed
Dropouts
1%
6%
1%
4%
0%
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
*All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant
Q11. Which of the following statements best describes your current beliefs
about God? Base: All (n=1,023)
34
Current Marital Status
Current marital status of young adults ages 18-30
54%
Single/never married*
47%
45%
48%
Married
Divorced*
Separated*
1%
3%
0%
1%
Stayed
Dropouts
Widowed 0%
0%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
*Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant
Q15. What is your current marital status? Base: All (n=1,023)
35
Current Living Situation
Current living situation among young adults ages 18-30
26%
Live with parents*
17%
42%
46%
Live with spouse
8%
Live with partner/ significant other*
15%
12%
10%
8%
10%
Live with roomate(s)
Live alone
Stayed
Dropouts
3%
2%
Other
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
*Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding
Q17. Please indicate your current living situation Base: All (n=1,023)
36
Current Parent Status
Young adults ages 18-30 who are parents*
38%
Yes
44%
Stayed
Dropouts
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
*Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant
Q17b. Are you a parent? Base: All (n=1,023)
37