Church attendances figures have been steadily declining for a few decades. Initially, young church members left the more liberal protestant denominations like the Episcopalians and Presbyterians in droves, causing pundits to cite that these groups weren’t demanding enough.
However, since then, the more conservative denominations have also experienced a mass exodus of young church members. For instance, the Southern Baptists have witnessed more than a million members leave in the last decade. Other groups like the Latter-day Saints and Mormons have also seen their once-enviable growth stagnate, leading to severe concerns for churches.
Young people are becoming increasingly disillusioned with their church. A LifeWay Research survey shows that most teenagers stop going to church once they become young adults. Moreover, two-thirds of young people shared that they stopped going to the church for at least a year between 18 and 22.
What Problems do Young People Have with the Church?
Young people are dropping out of churches in droves due to several reasons:
Life Changes
Nearly all of the young people who stop attending church cite life changes as a primary reason. The fact that young adults stop going to church once they go to college or start working shows that they don’t feel the church’s teachings apply to their lives. Churches need to ensure they make their sermons and teachings more relevant to the lives of millennials by integrating biblical teachings with topics like financial responsibility, relationships, sex, stress, etc.
Judgments
Young people also don’t like churches with judgmental members or pastors. Hypocritical church members are causing younger members to avoid going to the church. In addition, many millennials also feel a disconnect in beliefs and values due to age differences with most church members. If you wish to attract young members, you need to address these issues within your church before devising a solution.
Ethics and Politics
Many young people are becoming disillusioned with the church, not because of its practices but its political and ethical views. Many churches don’t welcome members from the LGBTQ community, much to the chagrin of millennials. A church doesn’t need to embrace the behaviors of the LGBTQ community. However, it should welcome these members as people into the community with open arms. A church’s political beliefs, such as supporting a liberal or conservative candidate, can also impact its standing in the eyes of most young people, causing them to leave and never return. Churches need to find ways to embrace change if they wish to prevent young members from departing.
Insuring Your Church for Continued Community Support
Regardless of whether young members are leaving your church or not, it’s still home to many members within the community. Unfortunately, an accident or a disaster can change all of that in a flash, causing your church operations to cease. Obtaining church insurance can help prevent an abrupt end to your ministry and secure its future. A reputable church insurance agent can help you get comprehensive church insurance coverage for your church insurance needs.
Integrity Now Insurance Brokers is a church insurance company, providing churches with church property insurance, church liability insurance, and more.
Contact them today to insure your church.
