The Impact Pastors Have On College-Age People
Some pastors have expressed to me that they believe they have little influence on college-age people. Not only do they question their impact on a younger generation, but they also don't see how they can be much of a factor in a young person's life. There are those who believe that in order to connect with a younger group of people, one has to be a great communicator, dress in contemporary fashion, know the latest trends, and speak from a wireless mic while holding a latte. But recent research and surveys prove otherwise. Here are some key insights from LifeWay Research.
Do pastors have an impact on young people?
According to LifeWay Research, 58% of church dropouts left local churches because of church-related or pastor-related issues. That's over half! The study also revealed that young people have character qualities they like to see in their pastor, including caring, authentic, real, welcoming, and inspirational. One key quality that I think many pastors don't expect college-age students to want is teaching, but this is still a high priority that young people want from their pastors. For those under 18 who stay in the church, over 62% say their pastor's sermons are engaging or relevant to their lives. Those numbers jump higher when those 18-22 years old were surveyed.
LifeWay Research has shown that 70% of those who dropout of church do so between the ages of 18 and 22. Their research shows how much pastors do have an impact in the lives of young people in their congregation. It seems that the younger generation desires to have connecting relationships with their pastors. They want their pastors to teach sound doctrine, because most young people want and need to understand their faith. If your church is struggling to keep young believers, start by building bridges of friendships that form community, while teaching through Scripture how God interacts with their world today.
Do pastors have an impact on young people?
According to LifeWay Research, 58% of church dropouts left local churches because of church-related or pastor-related issues. That's over half! The study also revealed that young people have character qualities they like to see in their pastor, including caring, authentic, real, welcoming, and inspirational. One key quality that I think many pastors don't expect college-age students to want is teaching, but this is still a high priority that young people want from their pastors. For those under 18 who stay in the church, over 62% say their pastor's sermons are engaging or relevant to their lives. Those numbers jump higher when those 18-22 years old were surveyed.
LifeWay Research has shown that 70% of those who dropout of church do so between the ages of 18 and 22. Their research shows how much pastors do have an impact in the lives of young people in their congregation. It seems that the younger generation desires to have connecting relationships with their pastors. They want their pastors to teach sound doctrine, because most young people want and need to understand their faith. If your church is struggling to keep young believers, start by building bridges of friendships that form community, while teaching through Scripture how God interacts with their world today.
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on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 11:38 AM.
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