"Kids these days."

The Barna Group has released a new study that explores the how different generations of American adults view and use the Bible. And guess what - it turns out perspectives are different!

Barna groups those surveyed into four generations, broken down as follows: the Mosaic generation refers to adults who are currently ages 18 to 25; Busters are those ages 26 to 44; Boomers are 45 to 63; and Elders are 64-plus.

Not everything is wildly different between these generations. In fact "a majority of each of the four generations believes that the Bible is a sacred or holy book." Shocking. Ok, not really. But another commonality is that "millions within each of the generations report reading the pages of Scripture in the last week." That is more interesting to me.

Similar proportions of the generations embrace the most conservative and most liberal views. For instance, the "highest" view of the Bible - that it is "the actual word of God and should be taken literally, word for word" - is embraced by one-quarter of Mosaics (27%), Busters (27%), and Boomers (23%), and one-third of Elders (34%). The extreme view on the other end - that the Bible is not inspired by God - is embraced by proportions that are also statistically close to one another, including Mosaics (25%), Busters (19%), Boomers (22%), and Elders (22%).

Of course there are significant differences between the generations and their perspectives on Scripture. The Barna Group summarizes that the younger generations show the following changes in thought as it relates to the Bible:

Less Sacred - While most Americans of all ages identify the Bible as sacred, the drop-off among the youngest adults is striking: 9 out of 10 Boomers and Elders described the Bible as sacred, which compares to 8 out of 10 Busters (81%) and just 2 out of 3 Mosaics (67%).

Less Accurate - Young adults are significantly less likely than older adults to strongly agree that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches. Just 30% of Mosaics and 39% of Busters firmly embraced this view, compared with 46% of Boomers and 58% of Elders.

More Universalism - Among Mosaics, a majority (56%) believes the Bible teaches the same spiritual truths as other sacred texts, which compares with 4 out of 10 Busters and Boomers, and one-third of Elders.

Skepticism of Origins - Another generational difference is that young adults are more likely to express skepticism about the original manuscripts of the Bible than is true of older adults.

Less Engagement - While many young adults are active users of the Bible, the pattern shows a clear generational drop-off - the younger the person, the less likely then are to read the Bible. In particular, Busters and Mosaics are less likely than average to have spent time alone in the last week praying and reading the Bible for at least 15 minutes. Interestingly, none of the four generations were particularly likely to say they aspired to read the Bible more as a means of improving their spiritual lives.

Bible Appetite - Despite the generational decline in many Bible metrics, one departure from the typical pattern is the fact that younger adults, especially Mosaics (19%), express a slightly above-average interest in gaining additional Bible knowledge. This compares with 12% of Boomers and 9% of Elders.

Go and read the report at Barna.com, and then head back here to talk about it. What does this shift in perception mean for the church? On the one hand we want to affirm that "the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God," but what will our part be in showing the younger generations, particularly the unchurched, the nature, value and use of Scripture? What is your church doing to help younger generations develop a healthy, biblical view of Scripture?

The most recent issue of Outreach Magazine is out. If you are a subscriber, you have already seen it... but if not, let's get that going!

In this issue, my column asks a simple question, "Should We Really Listen to the Unchurched?"

I am always fascinated by the blog comments I receive from people who say, "We don't need to do research, just read the Bible." Now, I am one who wants people to read the Bible a lot more, but it seems that when you read that Bible you find examples of people like Paul: seeking to understand the culture as they reach it.

I do think that sometimes people listen too much to the culture and have written about that on many occasions. Sometimes people over-contextualize. But, usually the ones who object to listening to the culture and contextualization are, well, the ones who often need to do both.

So, here is my column in the most recent issue.

Should We Really Listen to the Unchurched?

Everybody listens to someone. As parents, we teach our children to listen and comply with what we tell them. As employees, we follow the guidance of those in authority over us.

However, as ministry leaders, we may wonder from whom we should take our instruction. Our theology tells us to look to God, but can we also find any insight listening to people outside the Church?

In our latest LifeWay Research book, Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches That Reach Them (B&H), we studied young adults' views of religion, spirituality and the Church. We used those findings to provide instruction and examples of how best to connect this generation to God and church.

As good as research can be, some question the idea of doing this type of analysis, saying we're surveying the wrong crowd. Let's agree on this: God, through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, is the unequivocal authority on ministry and church. But the next questions are: "Do the beliefs of the unchurched really have value? Should their ideas and perspectives inform our evangelistic strategy?" Here is my answer to both: YES.

A Hopeful Response

I believe that God is honored when we listen to the longings of the unchurched because it is mercy and mission that compel us to listen. We pay attention to the longings of the lost because we care for them (mercy) and desire to make the Gospel known to them as clearly as possible (mission). Knowing the people we hope to reach allows us to better address their concerns, articulate the truth and apply the Gospel.

Some believe this generation is disinterested in the things of God and thus, demand the Church alter its beliefs and mission. Our research indicates quite the opposite.

A Spiritual Generation

Spiritual interest is high among the younger generation. Although being spiritual does not always equate with being religious, only 18 percent said they were neither spiritual nor religious.

A majority (81 percent) of younger unchurched adults in America believe that God or a higher supreme being exists. Research also shows, that the theological beliefs of unchurched people in their 20s are closer to historic Christianity than the beliefs of older unchurched generations.

Young adults certainly are more interested in Christianity than many think. Almost 90 per- cent of the unchurched in their 20s would be willing to listen
if someone wanted to tell them about Christianity. Three out of 5 would be willing to study the Bible if a friend asked them.

Asking the Church to Be the Church

Our data showed that the younger unchurched see Christianity as relevant and viable, but more about organized religion than loving God and people. They believe the Church is full of hypocrites and is unnecessary for spiritual development.

However, much of what they are looking for can be found in God and His Church. Our churches should be embodying authentic community, a life of depth, a responsibility to serve others and the desire to connect with other generations. Our research revealed these are the very things that the younger unchurched deemed important.

The younger unchurched don't need us to re-create our message to accommodate their needs. Rather, what they are often seeking is what we need to be doing for the Church to actually be the Church.

Ed Stetzer is president of LifeWay Research (LifeWayResearch.com) and co-author (with Richie Stanley and Jason Hayes) of Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches That Reach Them (B&H). You'll find Ed's research blog at OutreachMagazine.com.

Building Church Leaders is sharing some information from my newest book, Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them, pointing the nine traits common to churches who are effectively reaching young adults. I am a contributor to the site, but it turns out I don't contribute as much as I should. So, when they use what I have already written, I say, "Thanks."

Let me encourage you to check them out here: Building Church Leaders

Creating Deeper Community Churches that are effective at attracting and developing young adults place a high value on moving people into a healthy small group system. Young adults are trying to connect and will make a lasting connection wherever they can find belonging.

Making a Difference through Service
Churches that are transforming young adults value leading people to serve through volunteerism. More than being pampered, young adults want to be part of something bigger than themselves and are looking to be part of an organization where they can make a difference through acts of service.

Experiencing Worship
Churches that are engaging young adults are providing worship environments that reflect their culture while also revering and revealing God. More than looking for a good performance, young adults desire to connect with a vertical experience of worship.

Leveraging Technology
Churches that are reaching young adults are willing to communicate in a language of technology familiar to young adults. Young adults sense that these churches are welcoming churches that value and understand them, engaging them where they are.

Building Cross-Generational Relationships
Churches that are linking young adults with older, mature adults are challenging young adults to move on to maturity through friendship, wisdom, and support. Young adults are drawn to churches that believe in them enough to challenge them.

Moving Toward Authenticity
Churches that are engaging young adults are reaching them not only by their excellence but by their honesty. Young adults are looking for and connecting to churches where they see leaders that are authentic, transparent, and on a learning journey.

Leading by Transparency
Churches that are influencing young adults highly value an incarnational approach to ministry and leadership. This incarnational approach doesn't require revealing one's personal sin list so much as it does require that those in leadership must be willing to express a personal sense of humanity and vulnerability.

Leading by Team
Increasingly churches reaching young adults seem to be taking a team approach to ministry. They see ministry not as a solo venture but as a team sport--and the broader participation it creates increases the impact of ministry.

Is your church reaching young adults? If so, are any of these traits proving to me more instrumental than the others in your context?

I am very happy to see that many are finding encouragement and direction in the book, Lost and Found.

If we are going to take the Great Commission seriously we have to figure out how to best communicate the gospel to and connect with the younger generations - especially the unchurched. So, I was very impressed with the continued good work of my friends at Threads. They created this video that gives you a peek into the stats and perspective you'll find in the book. If the video interests you, you should order the book. ;-)

On Monday, I posted an article about preaching to the younger unchurched based on our new book, Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and Churches that Reach Them. 

Yesterday, I posted more about preaching and communication from an interview with Andy Stanley.  While the discussion continues on that "Andy Stanley post," Jason Hayes (co-author of Lost and Found) gathered up some of the book reviews of Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and The Churches That Reach Them.

We appreciate you checking out the book and sharing it with others.

Here's a quick look into what you are saying (in the order we saw them).  If we missed you, feel free to post your review below-- even if you hated the book!

"Lost and Found is not a how-to book for reaching young adults. It is rather a here's-what book -- here's what this generation is, here's what they want, and here's what churches are doing to reach them."

Chuck Warnock, Confessions of A Small-Church Pastor, Ed Stetzer's new book, Lost and Found

"... we should read the Bible until God stops us. One verse, one page, one chapter; when we run into something God wants us to ponder, then stop and ponder. That happened to me literally hundreds of times in Lost And Found. I finished the book much the better for having read .. make that studied .. it."

Bob Cleveland, Eagles' Rest, LOST AND FOUND ... Riflebore Study; Shotgun Results

"... A great read. You definitely need to pick this up if you are church planter, pastor or leader in a church that cares about reaching the younger unchurched."

Joshua Reich, My World, Lost & Found: The Younger Unchurched & the Churches that Reach Them

"Ed Stetzer is a genius - he is able to make statistics interesting!  He speaks with both authority and humility. His research seems (to this amateur) to be solid and honest. But he is careful not to use research as the basis of truth. He recognizes that truth comes from God's Word - something this book is careful to remember. He is not trying to derive truth from statistics, but to use his research to show the church how to communicate its eternal truth more clearly."

Dave Miller, SBC Impact, Ed Stetzer: "Lost and Found" A Review

"This is not a book to be read once. It is a book to be slowly digested and considered over time. Buy it. Read it. Think about it. Pray about it. Implement its recommendations. The younger unchurched in your community will receive better ministry if we do."

Dave Miller, SBC Impact, Ed Stetzer: "Lost and Found" A Review

"A very well done book led by an author who's been there and done that. My first thought was who to give this book to next."

Curtis Powers, If I Have A Faith That Can Move Mountains, Book Review: Lost and Found by Ed Stetzer

"This book is a must read for all pastors and church planters who desire to reach the younger generations. Lots to think about and some very interesting stats."

Joe Gnatek, Soul Trek, Lost and Found by Ed Stetzer

"The short of it is that Lost and Found is a good place to begin a journey. You will find several hints about what is connecting the church with the unchurched. My prayer is that pastors would read this book and get their butts in gear."

Jeremy Davidson, JeremyDavidson.org, Lost and Found Book Notes and Rant

"...you have to read this book. Let it challenge you. If you have no clue why the young adults generation is missing from your church, you have to read this book. You will have to consider making serious changes if you want the missing to be found. If you have young adults, but have no idea what it might take to keep them, you have to read this book."

Shane Kennard, ShaneKennard.com, Lost and Found: Reaching Unchurched Young Adults

"... church leaders need to know how to equip those in church to reach out to others who won't ever enter the church's doors. This book does a great job of offering suggestions for how leaders might do just that, and I am thankful that the authors have put it together."

Joshua Lake, Quieted Waters, Lost and Found - A Review

"Let me recommend this book for reasons beyond the information, practices, narrative, or tone of the book. We need to connect to this generation of young adults in a big way. Maybe it is because I am a young adult myself, but I have a passion for this group. I think this book can help us- I pray it helps us."

Daniel Edwards, Faith In Chandler Blog, Lost and Found - A Review

"The book is an engaging read. A well structured balance of research based data, personal interview, and an engaging "true story" narrative that glues the concepts together with practical advice."

Matt and Nancy Heerema, Matt and Nancy, Book Review: Lost and Found by Ed Stetzer

"Reaching young unchurched adults is the concern of every church. Lost and Found serves a useful purpose in allowing us to move past our opinions of what "should" be and begin to consider the obstacles confronting us in this task."

Chuck Huckaby, The Christian Observer, Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches That Reach Them.

"Lost and Found championed the simple in order to make maximum impact.  This was simply a great read. When you pick it up, don't rush through it. Take your time and make sure you have notebook and pen handy. My copy is filled with notes!"

Dan Scott, Life As Best I Remember It, Book Review I  Lost and Found

Here are some other kind folks who spoke of the book.

Tom Goodman, Get Anchored, Book Review: Lost and Found

Todd Burus, Todd On God, A Review of Lost and Found

Finally, here is one more referring to the conference I am doing tomorrow in Chattanooga:

Jimmy, Street Beat: Faith Connection Church Blog, Ed Stetzer to Host Seminar In Chattanooga.

Feel free to post your own link below if we missed yours.

 

Catalyst Friends,

Here are the stats I presented at Catalyst on Friday. I promised to post them here today.

As you will recall, the numbers are those who agree, somewhat or strongly, with the statement listed. I have only listed the agree percentages. You can download the PowerPoint I used here. You can pre-order the book, Lost and Found, here.

Thanks for coming to Catalyst and coming by the blog. And you are welcome to come back by and stay up with the blog this week to learn more about church planting in Europe!

Here are the numbers grouped by topic:

We just released some new evangelism research. You can find the full story here. Here are some excerpts from the article.

Unchurched adults interested in finding a congregation aren't nearly as likely to visit one in person as a church member who is shopping for a new congregation. That means effective evangelism must begin outside the sanctuary in relationships between Christians and unbelievers, according to research from several recent studies from LifeWay Research...

"The location of our evangelism needs to shift if we want to reach the unchurched and not just move sheep around," said Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research. "At LifeWay Research we want to encourage churches to grow through conversion. To do that, they must not rely only of the unchurched visiting our churches. Church switchers are primarily the ones who visit churches. The unchurched stay home...

I wrote about my trip to the Fishing Hole here.

Marcus Bigelow (from Stadia) sent me his reflections from the prior evening. Good insights...

We just released a new research project.

Unchurched prefer cathedrals to contemporary church designs
by Tobin Perry

People who don't go to church may be turned off by a recent trend toward more utilitarian church buildings. By a nearly 2-to-1 ratio over any other option, unchurched Americans prefer churches that look more like a medieval cathedral than what most think of as a more contemporary church building.

The findings come from a recent survey conducted by LifeWay Research for the Cornerstone Knowledge Network (CKN), a group of church-focused facilities development firms. The online survey included 1,684 unchurched adults - defined as those who had not attended a church, mosque or synagogue in the past six months except for religious holidays or special events.

"Despite billions being spent on church buildings, there was an overall decline in church attendance in the 1990s," according to Jim Couchenour, director of marketing and ministry services for Cogun, Inc., a founding member of CKN. "This led CKN to ask, 'As church builders what can we do to help church leaders be more intentional about reaching people who don't go to church?'"...

Stetzer suggested that the unchurched may prefer the more aesthetically pleasing look of the Gothic cathedral because it speaks to a connectedness to the past. Young unchurched people were particularly drawn to the Gothic look...

Stetzer noted that despite these survey results, most of the churches that look like a cathedral are in decline. Just because someone has a preference for the aesthetically pleasing, Gothic churches doesn't mean they'll visit the church if that's the only connection point they have to the congregation, he said.

"Buildings don't reach people, people do," Stetzer said...

Read the whole story here.

The Christian Post has the story here.

Some of the more insightful posts on the research:

From Ministry Today.

North American Churches

Chris Turner

Click here to view the current issue. My article focuses on our newly released research on the unchurched.

USAToday provides a story in today's paper and on-line here. It is also on the their front page on the internet and is the most commented upon story.

The USAToday article focused on the views of the unchurched in a few key areas. The story is attracting a slew of comments in their feedback section.

The good folks at our LifeWay communications office have just released our story on the research here.

Our focus is more on the opportunities for people to share their faith:

Open to friends

Despite their negative opinions about the institutional church, most unchurched people are open to discussing spiritual matters with a friend. The research showed that:

--78 percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to listen to someone who wanted to talk about their Christian beliefs. The number rose to 89 percent among adults 18-29 years of age.

--Only 28 percent of adults 30 years and older said they think Christians they know talk to them too much about their beliefs.

--78 percent of adults 30 years and older said they would enjoy an honest conversation with a friend about religious and spiritual beliefs, even if they disagreed with the friend.

"Even though the unchurched have a confused view of God and a negative view of the church, they are overwhelmingly open to someone sharing about their Christian faith," Stetzer said. "We think religion is a topic that is off-limits in polite conversation, but unchurched people say they would enjoy conversations about spiritual matters."

From Scott McConnell:

"Eighty-nine percent of these unchurched people say they have close friends who are Christians," he said. "We don't have to search for the unchurched folks around us; we actually know them. It's really a matter of starting conversations about spiritual matters with the unchurched people we know.

And one final thought from the article:

Stetzer explained, "There will always be the stumbling block of the cross. Yet our study shows that many are tripping over the church before they hear the message of the cross."

We also have some interesting data contrasting the views between the younger and older unchurched. You can download the findings here.

This difference between age groups will also be the focus of my Catalyst Monthly column coming out soon.

Finally, we have more data that we have not released that will be shared in a new book called The Younger Unchurched and Churches that Reach Them. The book will be based on this and other research done at NAMB's Center for Missional Research and LifeWay Research and will be co-authored by Richie Stanley, research director from the North American Mission Board, and me.

More soon...

Update 1:

Lots of interesting dialogue over at USAToday (at 500 comments as of right now). Here is the graph they produced from our data.

The story is currently the most emailed story in the whole publication and in the two ten for "most read," "most commented," and "most recommended."

Why? Because I think it strikes a chord.

Be sure to read more than just the USAToday story-- their focus was on the attitudes of the unchurched toward the church. That attitude is, admittedly, bad. But be sure to read the rest of the story here, which tells the good news about the openness of the unchurched to a personal witness.

Update 2:

The very capaple people from LifeWay's communication department have provided some helpful graphics here. You can download high-res, color, and black and white graphics.

Here are they web versions of the graphics: