Young adults deeply interested in exploring God, research shows

A large majority of young adults express a yearning for a deeper understanding of spirituality and exploring a possibly deeper walk with God, according to a survey by LifeWay Research. The survey indicated 73 percent of Americans in the 20s who don’t attend church consider themselves spiritual because of their desire to understand more about God. With age that interest declines. The survey indicated that number decreases to 62 percent at age thirty. Particularly encouraging for clergy is that 89 percent of the 20-29 year-olds said they were willing to learn about the basic beliefs of Christianity. Again that willingness fades after 30, in this instance by a 14-point margin. A strong majority of young adults, 63 percent, said they could be drawn to a church that understands where they are in their lives. “Our hope is that this research will propel church leaders forward in their efforts to reach this generation,” said Jason Hayes, young adult ministry specialist at LifeWay. “[Young adults’] high level of interest in these matters provides us a great opportunity to connect them with the things of God. Much of what they are looking for can be found in relationship with Him and His church.” The challenges and opportunities for local churches to reach this generation are immense. “It is a mistake to say that young adults now are as connected to church as previous generations – they aren’t,” said Ed Stetzer, director of Lifeway Research. “But, it is a bigger mistake to think they are not open to spiritual things because they are. “There are challenges and opportunities here and our hope is that the church will recognize the challenge of reaching an increasingly post-Christian generation and seize the opportunity of their spiritual openness to proclaim a life-transforming and biblical Gospel.” LifeWay is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Link: LifeWay: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/

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Young adults deeply interested in exploring God, research shows

A large majority of young adults express a yearning for a deeper understanding of spirituality and exploring a possibly deeper walk with God, according to a survey by LifeWay Research. The survey indicated 73 percent of Americans in the 20s who don’t attend church consider themselves spiritual because of their desire to understand more about God. With age that interest declines. The survey indicated that number decreases to 62 percent at age thirty. Particularly encouraging for clergy is that 89 percent of the 20-29 year-olds said they were willing to learn about the basic beliefs of Christianity. Again that willingness fades after 30, in this instance by a 14-point margin. A strong majority of young adults, 63 percent, said they could be drawn to a church that understands where they are in their lives. “Our hope is that this research will propel church leaders forward in their efforts to reach this generation,” said Jason Hayes, young adult ministry specialist at LifeWay. “[Young adults’] high level of interest in these matters provides us a great opportunity to connect them with the things of God. Much of what they are looking for can be found in relationship with Him and His church.” The challenges and opportunities for local churches to reach this generation are immense. “It is a mistake to say that young adults now are as connected to church as previous generations – they aren’t,” said Ed Stetzer, director of Lifeway Research. “But, it is a bigger mistake to think they are not open to spiritual things because they are. “There are challenges and opportunities here and our hope is that the church will recognize the challenge of reaching an increasingly post-Christian generation and seize the opportunity of their spiritual openness to proclaim a life-transforming and biblical Gospel.” LifeWay is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Link: LifeWay: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/

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